By the time the Rangers youngsters kicked off today it was known that Hibs late goal in the earlier kick-off at Fir Park had ended their title hopes. There were three changes to the side that drew with Celtic last weekend. Danny Wilson is on first team duty, Kyle Hutton suspended after last week's red card and Kane Hemmings has joined Ross Perry on the injury list. Chris Scott, Steven Forbes and Kyle McAusland coming in as replacements
Rangers missed and excellent early chance in the 8th minute, Kal Naismith knocked the ball out wide left to Kyle McAusland and his cross should have been converted at the back post by Steven Forbes but he headed wide. Then just after the 15 minute mark Archie Campbell passed up another excellent chance, he raced clear on a Grant Adam clearance, but as he tried to round keeper Scott Bain he over ran the ball and the chance was lost.
Straight away Aberdeen threatened at the other end when Peter Pawlett broke down the right, but Calum McRobbie failed to connect properly when he met the cross into the box. The visitors continued to threaten and Nicky Low tested Adam with a long range shot. Then just before the half hour mark Hallur Hansson was tackled inside the Rangers box, but the ball broke to McRobbie and Adam saved his powerful shot.
A few minutes later Stephen Stirling picked the ball up on the halfway line and his run took him past three Aberdeen defenders and Bain made a fine save low to his left from his shot from the edge of the box. The next chance came when Steven Forbes got to the byline on the right, his cross was punched into the air by keeper Bain, Kal Naismith met it on the volley which was blocked on the line by Rogvi Holm.
Chances were being created at both ends and the next effort saw Stephen O'Donnell shoot just wide of Adam's right hand post. In 43 minutes Aberdeen had their best chance of the half, Mitchel Meggison sent McRobbie clear and Adam came racing out side his area to block with his legs. Not to be out done Bain then kept the scoreline blank at half-time with a great double save from Jamie Ness and Archie Campbell.
Half-Time:- Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0
The Dons were first to threaten after half time, in 54 mins only a great challenge by Scott Durie on Low prevented a scoring opportunity. Then three minutes later Pawlett fed O'Donnell inside the box but he could only shoot into the side netting.
Bang on the hour mark Rangers took the lead, Jamie Ness combined with substitute Max Wright creating a chance for the latter who shot home from the edge of the box. Aberdeen then missed a great chance to equalise when Pawlett was through but shot weakly at keeper Adam. Straight to the other end and a Kal Naismith cross had keeper Bain scrambling to tip over.
With 15 minutes remaining Bain produced another fine save, touching a Jamie Ness 30 yarder past the post. O'Donnell then missed another chance to level, after a one-two with Pawlett, shooting over. Rangers immediately went up the park and Gordon Dick combined with Naismith, it looked like Max Wright would covert Naismith's cross but headed wide.
With a couple of minutes remaining, after a scramble in the box the ball broke to Rhys McCabe and Bain made a fine save from his powerful shot. Aberdeen then had one last chance to salvage something when McRobbie broke down the left and crossed in to the box, Chris Scott won the race to clear under pressure from Meggison.
So it is congratulations to Hibs in the their League success, the consensus is that they have been the best team in the league this season. Rangers can now look forward to Wednesday's Youth Cup Final against the Edinburgh side. Both league games have been good close encounter's and Billy Kirwood's side look to make it three cup wins in a row.
Full-Time:- Rangers 1 Aberdeen 0
Rangers:- Grant Adam; Scott Durie, Chris Scott, Darren Cole, Gregg Wylde (Rhys McCabe 75mins); Steven Forbes, Steven Stirling (Gordon Dick 62 mins), Jamie Ness, Kal Naismith; Archie Campbell ( Max Wright 55mins), Kyle McAusland.
Not Used:- Arturs Vailculis, Dyland McGeough.
Aberdeen:- Scott Bain; Jonathan Crawford, Rogvie Holm, Chris Gallagher; Stephen O'Donnell, Calum McRobbie, Hallur Hansson, Peter Pawlett, Nicky Low; Mitchel Meggison.
Not Used:- Ross Gibson, Ryan Jack, Dean Jarvis, Jamie Masson, Clark Roberston.
Footnote:-
Rangers under 15's took on Clyde in a friendly at Murray Park on Thursday night.
Rangers 4 Clyde 0
Rangers too the lead in the 8th minute when the Trialist No9 got to the byline and his cut back was fired home by Lewis McLeod. The second came on 37 mins, when the Trialist No9 headed in a Lewis McLeod corner.
On 63 mins a Lewis McLeod corner was met by Andy Murdoch who's effort was blocked, but broke to the Trialist No9 who made 3-0 from close range. And the fourth came from yet another Lewis McLeod corner 77mins, this time headed home by Frankie Owens.
Rangers :- Blair Currie; Ross Dickson, Darren Ramsay, Gregor Fotheringham, Blair Smith; Mark Taylor, Lewis Barr, George Scott, Frankie Owens; Trialist, Lewis McLeod.
Subs All Used :- Sam George (GK), Andy Murdoch, Jack Donaldson.