Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers: Points are shared at Pittodrie as battle for second goes to the final day

Plenty has happened on and off the park since that night in Luxembourg and the infamous defeat to Progres Niederkorn but the Light Blues are edging closer to a return to continental action next term. Victory over Hibernian on Sunday would do it, and see Rangers end a barren season with a crumb of comfort.

A rollercoaster Premiership campaign, one which has seen the sackings of two managers – Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty – and a record Old Firm loss will come to a conclusion with Jimmy Nicholl at the helm at Easter Road.

Read more: Jimmy Nicholl critical of Steven McLean and his Rangers players after controversial penalty call

With just 90 minutes of action remaining this term, second spot in the Premiership is still very much up for grabs. Depending on what unfolds in the Edinburgh derby, it could be a three-way fight.

Rangers made the trip to Pittodrie seeking a clean sweep of wins over Aberdeen but knowing that a first defeat would mean they would finish behind Derek McInnes’ side for a second consecutive season.

In the end, it was a case of as you were as the goals – the opener from Kenny McLean and a Ross McCrorie equaliser – and the points were shared.

Interim boss Nicholl made just one change to the side that beat Kilmarnock on Saturday and it saw McCrorie, who produced a terrific second half showing at Ibrox, return to the starting line-up. Jason Cummings was the man that dropped out as Graham Dorrans was moved forward into his preferred role just off lone striker Alfredo Morelos.

Nicholl would have been pleased with a positive start from the Gers. The home crowd were surprisingly subdued but the visitors were quick to assert themselves, Morelos spurning the first chance after four minutes following neat build-up play and a pass from Dorrans.

Read more: Steven Gerrard will need cash or added time at Rangers, says former England boss

It took Aberdeen a bit of time to get going but they scored during their first spell of pressure.

It all stemmed from a McCrorie mistake as he conceded a corner rather than clearing his lines. A couple of corners and a controversial call later, the ball was in the back of the net.

There was more than a touch of good fortune about it. Not that McInnes would have minded, right enough.

Ryan Christie fired in a low cross from the left and Morelos and McLean both challenged for the ball. The Colombian clearly got a touch but McLean tumbled and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot.

Rangers were furious with the decision and their anger was compounded when the Reds playmaker rifled his spot-kick beyond Jak Alnwick to give McInnes’ side a lead they didn’t deserve at that stage.

Nicholl needed a response from the Gers but Aberdeen started to find their rhythm and play with confidence. That was certainly the case for McLean and he nearly beat Alnwick with an audacious effort from 30 yards.

Read more: Rangers youngster Ross McCrorie dedicates crucial Pittodrie strike to his gran

The loss of Dorrans, after he came off worse in a robust challenge with Anthony O’Connor, was another blow for the Light Blues. Sean Goss took over in the middle of the park as Rangers looked to regroup after a spell of Dons dominance.

Tempers threatened to boil over when McLean tangled with Morelos and was then wiped out by Halliday. In his final Pittodrie appearance, the midfielder was showing why he will be such a loss to Aberdeen this summer and he forced Alnwick into another save after Sam Cosgrove knocked down Shay Logan’s cross.

After their bright start, Rangers had shown little to give the vocal travelling support any cause for optimism. There was plenty of fight in a tempestuous affair, but it was misplaced as four bookings – Halliday, Dorrans, David Bates and Jason Holt – were picked up.

There wasn’t enough quality on the ball from Rangers and wide men Jamie Murphy and Daniel Candeias were particularly ineffective as Nicholl’s side struggled to pose any real attacking threat.

But both were involved more in the early stages of the second half and the Portuguese almost had a hand in Rangers’ equaliser. Candeias combined well with James Tavernier down the right and the defender picked out Morelos.

Read more: Jimmy Nicholl critical of Steven McLean and his Rangers players after controversial penalty call

But the striker couldn’t direct his header beyond Joe Lewis as the keeper gratefully clutched the ball. Seconds later, Cummings readied himself for action.

With half an hour to go, Nicholl rolled the dice. Holt was off and Cummings entered the action as Rangers looked to keep their hopes of second spot alive.

And the impact was immediate. Morelos cut in from the left and saw his shot deflected high into the air by Scott McKenna but the defender was powerless to prevent McCrorie scoring as the youngster’s determination paid off and he headed the ball into the corner of the net.

Rangers had moved the ball quicker and showed more purpose since the restart.

Murphy had been central to more of the play and Candeias looked sharper and it was Nicholl’s side that looked to most likely to get the winner heading into the final quarter of an at times scrappy but always entertaining affair.

McKenna made amends for his earlier mistake with a terrific tackle to deny Morelos after Murphy had burst clear while Alnwick saved from Gary Mackay-Steven at the other end.

Rangers continued to look threatening but their chances were half ones rather than clear cut as Cummings, McCrorie and Goss all failed to make a clear connection within seconds of each other.

The next opening fell to Murphy but he delayed and delayed before getting his shot away and Morelos was unable to capitalise as the danger was snuffed out at the back post.

The stage was set for a grandstand finish, for a hero to take centre stage. Nobody in red or blue could emerge as the match-winner, though.

The victory that both wanted eluded them. Now, it is all to play for in the final 90 minutes of a season that neither will forget in a hurry.