Kemar Roofe scored the winner in extra-time to help Rangers produce one of the narrow football results of the weekend in the Scottish League Cup. Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski took advantage of hesitation in the Ger’s defense four minutes before halftime to give the Granite City men the lead in a thrilling semifinal on a gluepot field. Ryan Jack, a former Dons midfielder, scored a deflected goal to tie the score in the 61st minute, but Pittodrie’s captain Anthony Stewart was sent out for a horrific tackle on Fashion Sakala in stoppage time. Four minutes into extra time, substitute Roofe gave Rangers the lead from close range, and there was more drama as VAR faltered for a while before resuming operations.
Prior to the game, much attention was paid to the Hampden field, which had received criticism from both Killie manager Derek McInnes and Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou following Saturday’s last-four meeting. Despite the improved conditions, neither side benefited from the kickoff’s surface cutup. Although Aberdeen’s lineup remained unaltered, veteran Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor replaced Jon McLaughlin, and Alfredo Morelos came in for the injured Antonio Colak. Attacker Sakala of Rangers made the first threat in the fourth minute when his header from a James Tavernier cross beat Dons goalkeeper Kelle Roos but struck the post.
The Dons defense had to remain strong, but gradually they started to move forward with more assurance. In the fifteenth minute, Miovski evaded the Ger defense, caught a pass from Leighton Clarkson, and used a sharp angle to drive high past, McGregor. But the offside flag was raised, and VAR upheld the judgment. Sakala hit the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box at the other end before Morelos slid a shot just past the far post. Ryan Kent’s long-range attempt was then deflected by Roos, Sakala sliced the loose ball wide, and Morelos’ close-range header was successfully saved by the Aberdeen goalkeeper.
The Dons took the lead, though, when the Ranger’s defense temporarily lost focus. When Clarkson’s pass split the defense, Miovski appeared to be in the wrong place, but Matty Kennedy persisted in eluding left-back Borna Barasic to gain possession. Unmarked North Macedonia international rushed in to cushion the ball past McGregor when he crossed into the middle, shocking Rangers and their supporters. Gers manager Michael Beale’s team leveled as he prepared to make adjustments.
At the edge of the box, Jack and Morelos exchanged passes before Jack’s right-footed drive deflected off Celtic defender Liam Scales and caught Roos off guard. There was a noticeable sense of relief among the Light Blue team. The thrill persisted. After Jonny Hayes had already replaced Luis “Duk” Lopes, Roofe and Glen Kamara were introduced to replace Morelos and Malik Tillman, respectively, and Clarkson was replaced by Aberdeen’s Connor Barron. However, Kennedy was offside when Clarkson’s shot hit the woodwork. The Rangers had the advantage, but they were unable to seize it. Two minutes into the extra time, Stewart was dismissed for an absurd lunge on Sakala in the direction of the touchline, while Kent escaped punishment for what appeared to be an off-the-ball swing at Scales.
Two minutes into extra time, Tavernier’s deflected shot hit the post, but it took little time for Roofe to score from six yards after a cutback from fellow replacement Scott Wright. The Rangers were relieved to hear the final whistle, but there were close calls at both ends as the Dons battled on. McGregor made clutch saves from Scales and Hayden Coulson.
“Winning the game is amazing, but I consider myself fortunate to be on a squad that has advanced to the semifinals. Gio (van Bronckhorst) and his staff, as well as the players who played before me, deserve a lot of credit for that,” Rangers boss Michael Beale said. “You take the lead, and I’m simply thrilled for our supporters and players that we get to return here for a championship. The final is something that I think everyone should look forward to, but it’s a long way off in my calendar right now. My focus is on [our upcoming game versus] Kilmarnock.”
For more football results, click here
