Todd Cantwell lit up a game that had an end of season feel to it as he netted a screamer to ensure Rangers got revenge on Aberdeen with victory at Ibrox.
The former Norwich City man volleyed a brilliant second half goal to earn all three points but there was little else to celebrate for the crowd on the day their rivals Celtic were officially crowned Scottish Premiership champions. It was the first goal the dogged Dons had conceded after a run over five clean sheets and that sequence ended in some style.
The empty seats told its own story of a season that can’t end quickly enough and Beale mixed it up as he gave some fringe men a chance, including keeper Robby McCrorie. They should have been desperate to impress but it was a slow start with Cantwell agin looking the brightest and he twice went close inside the first 20 minutes. Aberdeen were content to get bodies behind the ball and hit on the break and that plan almost paid off midway through the first half. Bojan Miovski raced away and he slipped the ball to Duk but McCrorie made a brilliant stop to deny the Dons striker.
The game needed something to spark it into life - and it came when Liam Scales went down after a shove from Cantwell. The Irishman, who scored that wonder goal in the win over Gers earlier this month, appeared to make the most of but John Beaton flashed a yellow card at both players.
Fashion Sakala had a glorious chance to fire the home side in front when he raced on to Rabbi Matondo’s through ball but the Zambian failed to take advantage and Kelle Roos made the save as they went in deadlocked at the break, with Ben Davies limping off just before half-time after pulling up.
Rangers were definitely the dominant side but, in a familiar story, didn’t have anything to show for it. The breakthrough almost came early the second half after good play from Matondo and Dons skipper for the day Jonny Hayes fired off the underside of his own crossbar. Sakala did have the ball in the net after a brilliant throughball from Cantwell - but the offside flag was up.
Cantwell went from provider to scorer as he broke the deadlock after 64 minutes - and it was in stunning fashion. James Tavernier swung in a corner from the left and the playmaker met it first time with the sweetest volley beyond a helpless Roos.
Here’s three talking points from Ibrox Stadium
Terrific Todd
Todd Cantwell was one of the few bright spots for Rangers in their Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic a Hamden and the former Norwich City man has looked a good acquisition. He was lively again with some great vision to set up Fashion Sakala for a disallowed goal before netting his goal in some style. If every Michael Beale summer signing can be as successful as Cantwell then they might have a chance of challenging next season. He has been a real bright spark since arriving in Govan in January.
End of days for Gers but Dons all to play for
Rangers’ season ended last week when they lost the Scottish Cup semi final to Celtic and that’s exactly how this afternoon felt up until Todd Cantwell’s goal which lit up the game. But while Rangers can’t achieve anything else this season, the same can’t be said of the visitors who are still right in that fight for third spot and remain five points clear of Hearts as they lost to champions Celtic. Barry Robson set up to defend and hit on the break and it almost worked. Duk gave Connor Goldson a tough time but they couldn’t find the net.
Reliable Robby
The goalkeeping situation has been just one of the many issues that have gone wrong at Ibrox this season with Giovanni van Bronckhorst failing to trust either Allan McGregor or Jon McLaughlin at the start of the season. And that has led to calls for Robby McCrorie to be given an opportunity at some point. Michael Beale promised to give the 25-year-old a run of games at some point before the end of the season, although injury denied him that chance before now.
But he was given the gloves here and pulled off a big save to deny Duk midway through the first half before racing out to do enough to put the Portuguese man off. That will have done him no harm at all as Beale decides how to move forward with the No. 1 position. Jack Butland has been linked but with McGregor and McLaughlin unlikely to be at Ibrox next season then McCrorie should have a part to play.
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