Embattled Philippe Clement claimed Rangers delivered one of their best displays of the season as they fell nine points behind Aberdeen and Celtic in the title race with a disastrous defeat at Pittodrie.
In a predictably frantic affair, the home side took the lead through Nicky Devlin just after the half hour mark,
Jimmy Thelin’s men squandered the chance to go two up at the break when Jamie McGrath missed a penalty — with Nedim Bajrami making Jimmy Thelin’s side pay with an equaliser in the second half.
But with Rangers unable to kick on, substitute Shayden Morris sealed a famous win with a close-range strike with 16 minutes remaining — his first league goal for the club — to ensure the resurgent Dons have now won 15 games and drawn one from 16 under their new manager.
Clement, though, was adamant that the latest setback was harsh on his players. He said: ‘It’s hugely disappointing to lose but we could have drawn or won if things had fallen on our side.
‘We started well but then Aberdeen took over and we struggled. We then had the game in our hands, but we didn’t take our chances and they did.
Philippe Clement now faces serious questions over his future after defeat at Pittodrie
Shayden Morris slams home a deserved winner after uncertainty in the visiting defence
Morris celebrates with delirious team-mates as the Dons’ incredible season continues apace
‘We need to be more clinical in the final third and we also need to have more luck on our side. But I thought this was one of our better performances this season with the new squad.
‘All credit to Aberdeen for the way they played. They deserve to be up there.
‘We are working hard to make things better but I think this was one of the better performances of several players.
‘In points, for sure we should have more. But if the toenail wasn’t there (against Cyriel Dessers) for our offside goal, it could have been 2-2.
‘It wasn’t that Aberdeen blew us away. That’s not the reality.
‘The fans want to win and so do we. We need to get better to make up the nine points but it’s about creating momentum again.’
Clement claimed that his side could yet peg back the points difference between themselves and the top two.
Rangers skipper James Tavernier troops off the pitch as victorious Dons stars celebrate
‘Yeah, it’s a big gap, but if you’re focused on the gap, you’re not focused on taking the points,’ he added.
‘When I stepped in last season, there was also a big gap at that moment and we came back all the way, but not succeeded at the end of the road.
‘So, it was a story of game by game, giving the maximum to get the three points and going game by game. So that’s what we need to do again.’
Dons boss Thelin was effusive in his praise of the character his side again showed to preserve their perfect record at Pittodrie.
‘It was for sure an emotional game, a lot of things happened today,’ he said.
‘I think our first half was one of the better ones. We attacked in different ways, the intensity of the game was really strong.
‘In the second half they had more momentum, but we stayed in the game in a really strong team spirit.
Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin celebrates after scoring the opener at Pittodrie
‘It was difficult in some parts, but with the supporters, how they support us, and also the calmness, we stayed there in the game.
‘And then again, the players to come into the pitch make some difference, and important ones. We know that we are really dangerous in transitions and we find a way.
‘I’m so happy with the character of the team, the team spirit is so strong.’
Thelin played down the significance of the result, saying: ‘Once again, for us it’s a game about three points, and we take it game by game.
‘I know, of course, we talked before about the history and all this kind of thing, that the fans have to enjoy today, but for us now it’s to stay focused, and now we have another important game on Saturday.’
