Aberdeen holds Rangers to scoreless draw

The showdown at Pittodrie did not disappoint as a crowd of over twenty-thousand witnessed their Dons hold off the Rangers efforts in route to a scoreless draw. The draw was costly for the Gers as with Celtic's 3 - 1 victory over Hibernian, they fall four points behind the race for first place.

Following last weeks strong display against Falkirk, John Fleck was once again in Walter Smith's opening grid and they seventeen year-old protege did not wasting anytime as three minutes in, he collected Saša Papac provision and drove the ball just a whisper over the bar. Five minutes later Allan McGregor was forced to nudge Charlie Mulgrew's free kick over lest the home side would have taken the lead. Young Mr. Fleck continues to stamp his name on the match to the half as his deliveries from the corner provide Aberdeen a multitude of problems. Five minutes after the re-start Kenny Miller and Jamie Langfield collide, resulting in the Aberdeen 'keeper being unable to continue and replaced by Bertrand Bossu. Both sides attempts were primarily from distance before Barry Ferguson's cross to Kris Boyd with nineteen minutes, narrowly misses the advancing striker. The Gers continue to search for the illusive goal continues first with Nacho Novo's drive clanging off the post at the eighty-fourth minute and then with four minutes remaining Kris Boyd's header from a Saša Papac cross is held back by Scott Severin. The hosts nearly find the winner with only a few minutes remaining Charlie Mulgrew's cross was teasingly headed wide by Darren Mackie and the match ultimately winds down without a score.

Following the match Walter Smith expressed his disappointment with the draw:

"I felt we deserved to win the game. We had most of the play and the best of the chances and only the most die-hard Aberdonian would disagree. It was a missed opportunity.

"Aberdeen were always dangerous at set plays which we had to look out for but we dominated the first half. Aberdeen made a change in the second half and it took us 15 minutes or so to adjust but one we did we were on top again.

"We put them under a lot of pressure in the last 25 minutes and created a lot of opportunities in that time - our best ones in fact - but didn't take them.

"So it's disappointing that we didn't win a game that was there for the winning."

Aberdeen comes to Ibrox

Rangers face a very tough challenge as Aberdeen comes to Ibrox Saturday afternoon. While the Dons manager Jimmy Calderwod is aware the problems the club has had at Ibrox, they won't back down:

"I think it has been 17 years without a win there but there are many teams who have not won at Ibrox for 50 years. It has been a long, long wait but hopefully Saturday will be the day we get that win."

Aberdeen chances could be hampered with sharpshooter Darren Mackie doubtful and facing a pre-match. If injured he will join Tommy Wright, Jamie Smith, Bertrand Bossu and Stuart Duff who are all out. They possess a wealth of talent including Lee Miller, Charlie Mulgrew and young gun Chris Maguire, who fills every supporter of Scottish Football with hope.

Walter Smith knows he can't look ahead of Aberdeen:

"They give us difficult games at Ibrox. I do think Aberdeen raise their game against us there's no doubt about that. Tomorrow's game is a big one for us. We've had a few midweek games recently and then when we do have a break the players disappear on international duty. But we have decent home form and we would hope to keep that going. Aberdeen's form away from home has been good and I think they have more points on the road than they do at home."

Rangers will be missing Kenny Miller, Saša Papac, Madjid Bougherra to injury and Steven Davis is expected out due to family issues.

I will report on the match as it concludes.