Rangers never got to grips with Aberdeen in Ibrox defeat, says boss Pedro Caixinha

Just weeks after seeing his side thrashed by Celtic in a record Old Firm defeat, the Portuguese was powerless to prevent the Light Blues going down to the Dons on home soil.

Goals from Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie clinched Aberdeen’s first win in Govan for 26 years as they secured second spot in the Premiership standings this term.

Read more: Rangers 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons end 26-year wait for Ibrox win

Martyn Waghorn gave Rangers hope on the hour mark but there was no way back in their final home fixture of a frustrating campaign.

The Gers will round off the season at St Johnstone on Sunday and Caixinha is determined to improve next time out.

Caixinha said: “I think we couldn’t cope in the first half and at the beginning of the second with the pressure that the opponent placed on us, especially in the midfield and up the park.

“We couldn’t beat the pressure, we couldn’t have the ball, we couldn’t have the second ball and have the team compact.

“Those are the points where the opponent were stronger than us. Besides that, after losing 2-0 so early in the second half, the boys on the park tried to do their very best.

Read more: Rangers 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons end 26-year wait for Ibrox win

“When our goal came, I really believed it was possible to draw the match. We keep fighting until the end but it was not possible so Aberdeen won the game.

“I am not focused on Aberdeen next season. The focus at this club is always to be number one. We don’t have a misunderstanding here.

“I am in this chair so I know what it means to represent this club. Many others would like to be here but they aren’t. That is the situation we need to deal with.

“I know what the job represents. I am here to defend the club and work for the club. That is what I am doing. We will speak for next season for sure.”