Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers: Hosts hit back for deserved point

Rangers' nine-game winning run in the Scottish Premiership was halted at Pittodrie as Aberdeen fought back for a deserved point in a furiously-contested match laden with controversy.

The visitors took the lead through Ianis Hagi, seconds after goalkeeper Allan McGregor survived a huge penalty scare in a clash with Ryan Hedges.

Lewis Ferguson levelled with a second-half spot-kick after his header hit Alfredo Morelos' arm to leave leaders Rangers — who had Ryan Kent sent off late on — four points clear of Celtic.

Aberdeen stay sixth, now a point behind Hibernian.

The Pittodrie men have not beaten Rangers in the league in more than three years, but were the better side in this full-blooded encounter and will feel aggrieved not to have ended that barren run.

The fuse was lit on a combustible fixture in the 20th minute as Aberdeen had a strong penalty claim denied — then Rangers broke up the other end and scored.

Home winger Ryan Hedges found himself with just McGregor in his path after racing on to a launched Jonny Hayes pass out of defence. McGregor rushed out to the edge of his box, got nothing on the ball as it was knocked past him, and caught Hedges with a flailing leg.

Referee Kevin Clancy ignored the vociferous Aberdeen appeals and Rangers quickly countered to compound the hosts' angst. Former Aberdeen winger Scott Wright switched play to Kent on the left and his sublime delivery left Hagi with a tap-in.

It was harsh on Glass' men, who had started strongly, with Teddy Jenks rattling the outside of the post and forcing McGregor into a fingertip save.

Buoyed by the goal, Rangers almost added a second when Morelos chased down a woefully short Funso Ojo backpass. Goalkeeper Joe Lewis got there in the nick of time, then scrambled