Last update on. From the section Scottish Premiership
Rangers scored both James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos.
Rangers, the Scottish Premiership's leaders, came back from two goals behind and drew with Aberdeen in the emotional aftermath of Walter Smith’s death.
Steven Gerrard, Home Manager, urged his team to perform like their legendary ex-boss.
However, Aberdeen was able to take an early lead thanks to Scott Brown and Christian Ramirez's headed goals.
A header by Alfredo Morelos reduced the arrears, and James Tavernier's controversial penalty saved a point.
This ensured Rangers remain unbeaten in the nine previous meetings, but they have lost their lead at top to just two points with their closest rivals Celtic.
Since Rangers had announced the sad news 24 hours prior, a steady stream of jerseys, scarves, and wreaths had gathered to form a mountain outside Smith's beloved Ibrox.
They gathered banners and flags to praise the Rangers icon before kick-off, and then settled into a quiet silence for a minute.
Gerrard was forced to quit goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and midfielder Steven Davis because of the urgency of the loss. The veteran pair had previously played under Smith.
The few who did get started looked excited by the occasion. Calvin Bassey quickly weaved through the box, before Joe Lewis had to stop Joe Lewis's shot at the near post.
Aberdeen, however, made the hosts pay for their lapse in concentration in defense and Ramirez, an unmarked striker, headed in Ryan Hedges’ cross at the backpost.
Rangers threatened to respond immediately against a makeshift defense with Brown at its heart. But it was the former Celtic captain that struck next. Tavernier managed to evade Tavernier and sent a diving header home form a corner.
Rangers responded with a goal. Captain Tavernier made up for his defensive error by sending in a curling, free-kick to the forehead of Morelos.
Although the home side dominated the second half, they looked increasingly frustrated as David Bates, ex-Ibrox centre-half, was adjudged to having nudged into the backside of substitute Fashion Sakala. Right-back Tavernier was his usual accurate self from that spot.
Rangers fans had raised a flag declaring, "For deeds done, glories won. Thank you," but even their late manager would have been content to escape with one point under such difficult circumstances.
Scott Brown is the man of the match
After being moved from midfield, the Aberdeen captain (centre), not only scored but also was an anchor at the centre of the defense
What have we learned?
Although it is difficult to judge, Rangers still look vulnerable than they did last season when they were attempting to win the title.
Their first home league loss since March 2020 was avoided, which is still a remarkable 25-game streak. After a string of 21 wins, they lost points in three of their four Premiership games at Ibrox. They must now be worried about improving Celtic.
Aberdeen, on the other hand, appear to be turning their fortunes around. They built on last weekend’s first win in 12 games with another draw that once again displayed the fighting qualities of captain Brown.
They were even able to find the net at Ibrox twice, something they failed on five of their previous visits.
They said it!
Rangers TV's Steven Gerrard, Rangers manager, says: "Disappointed by the result, disappointed at the performance. We gave ourselves a mountain of responsibility.
"We did manage to get something out of the game, but our performance wasn't good enough. That's on me. We forgot who we are and what we do tonight and that's what I have to fix."
Stephen Glass, Aberdeen manager: "They're a very good team with really great players. To get undone by free-kicks that don't look like free kicks and penalties that don't seem like penalties, I think it's good for them.
"The boys put on a performance like that, work-rate, effort, and Rangers have an amazing group of players, but it is very disappointing that we get undone with that.
What's next?
Rangers will visit Motherwell on Sunday (12:00) and Hearts will host them on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Brown Scott Brown was the player of the match with an average 8.64 Rangers Rangers Rangers Rangers
Aberdeen Aberdeen Aberdeen Rangers Avg Squad number 20 Player name Morelos Average rating 4.01 Squad number 33 Player name McLaughlin Average rating 3.93 Squad number 25 Player name Roofe Average rating 3.86 Squad number 7 Player name Hagi Average rating 3.85 Squad number 2 Player name Tavernier Average rating 3.82 Squad number 37 Player name Arfield Average rating 3.76 Squad number 26 Player name Balogun Average rating 3.72 Squad number 17 Player name Aribo Average rating 3.72 Squad number 3 Player name Bassey Average rating 3.66 Squad number 18 Player name Kamara Average rating 3.64 Squad number 6 Player name Goldson Average rating 3.63 Squad number 23 Player name Wright Average rating 3.61 Squad number 30 Player name Sakala Average rating 3.54 Squad number 4 Player name Lundstram Average rating 3.11 Aberdeen Avg Squad number 8 Player name Brown Average rating 8.64 Squad number 17 Player name Hayes Average rating 8.24 Squad number 9 Player name Ramrez Average rating 8.21 Squad number 15 Player name McGeouch Average rating 8.04 Squad number 11 Player name Hedges Average rating 7.95 Squad number 24 Player name Campbell Average rating 7.87 Squad number 2 Player name McCrorie Average rating 7.86 Squad number 7 Player name Watkins Average rating 7.83 Squad number 19 Player name Ferguson Average rating 7.81 Squad number 1 Player name Lewis Average rating 7.74 Squad number 16 Player name Ojo Average rating 7.70 Squad number 27 Player name Bates Average rating 7.57 Squad number 23 Player name Samuels Average rating 7.21
