Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
I'm just wondering where the threat's going to come from Rangers because they've virtually no width at all.
They haven't made any attempt to go down in the wide area and play the ball across the face.
I'm sure Aberdeen and Stephen Robinson at the moment in time will be reasonably happy.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson took over at Aberdeen nine days ago
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Here's a shot of that Thelo Aasgaard chance. Well defended in the end by Aberdeen.
Image source, SNSRangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Twenty minutes in, it's been all Rangers but no goals so far.
Aberdeen have looked relatively well organised but are not getting much of a foothold in attack so far.
Image source, SNSRangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Chance for Rangers.
Nico Raskin spots the run of Youssef Chermiti and finds the striker with a lofted pass. Chermiti shoots wide of the near post from the left.
There was a suspicion of offside but no flag was raised.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Afeez Aremu is able to continue for Aberdeen.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Another Rangers free-kick. This time Tuur Rommens sends in from a wide position on the left.
A clearance lands on Thelo Aasgaard's chest and his volley is blocked before Aberdeen eventually clear.
The shot actually came off team-mate Nico Raskin before Ante Palaversa got in the way.
Afeez Aremu cleared acrobatically and is now receiving treatment on the deck.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Ian McCall
Former Rangers player on BBC Sportsound
That was a brilliant chance, brilliant chance to score.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
I just don't think he gets over it enough. If he meets that square with his forehead, surely he can make that ball go down rather than over the bar.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Rangers win a free-kick for handball against Liam Morrison.
James Tavernier delivers and Craig Molloy heads clear under pressure from attacking players.
Another Tavernier cross comes in from the corner and Youssef Chermiti heads powerfully high and wide.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Rangers are trying to dictate play and at pace.
They've seen most of the ball so far.
Image source, SNSRangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Youssef Chermiti and Ryan Naderi try a neat one-two. It's blocked. Naderi has a shot, it's blocked.
Aberdeen are under pressure early on.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
It's a good start from Rangers. Positive start. They certainly look up for it. It's been a really bright start.
Aberdeen will be glad to get the first few minutes out the way.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Moments after Mike Moore gets away a shot that is deflected into goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov's grasp, the Rangers winger has another run down the left.
The hosts retain possession well but cannot get through the clutch of red jerseys.
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Rangers get the game started.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson's first away day as Aberdeen manager is at Ibrox
Rangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Sportsound: "A tough challenge at Ibrox all the time and we have to stand up to that.
"We were decent defensively last week. We looked a lot more organised but we'll need to be even better than that again at Ibrox and we have to play. We have to move the ball a lot quicker.
"We have to get some sort of ownership of the game, which if you get a result at Ibrox you have to do.
"We have to stand up and be counted. People have to stand up and show the ability and investment into this squad that has been put in. There's talent there and hopefully we're giving it the right direction as a team.
"When things aren't going well, managers make changes. You have to try and find a solution. I needed more legs in midfield. You need an outlet, which I believe Emma Gyamfi gives us on the left-hand side as well. He's more like a winger type.
"They're positive changes. We believe that we can handle the ball with those players and also cause them real problems at the top end.
"Rangers have been very good this season. They're a big strong side, they go a lot more direct and they test you all the time."
Image source, SNSRangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
Ian McCall
Former Rangers player on BBC Sportsound
I saw St Mirren win here under Stephen Robinson and the game plan will be exactly the same. They really sat in and soaked up the pressure.
It won't be easy for Rangers. The first goal is crucial.
Rangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Sportsound: "We have to focus on our own. Every three points are important. We have to take the three points and then we move forward.
"Thelo Aasgaard trained really well the last couple of weeks. It was great also last week when he came on. He gives us a different profile and we need this today, also between the lines we have good decision making, which is what we want from him.
"It's always about being on the front foot and we play for three points and we don't care about other results at the moment.
"Aberdeen have a new manager with new ideas. They will be well organised. It's a team, if they're organised, it's always, at first, tough to break them down, this is a big job.
"If we increase and we play at our highest level then we have a big opportunity to win this game."
Image source, SNSRangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
Aberdeen fans will be very concerned. It looks like they are involved in a battle to avoid that 11th spot.
There's a lot of work to be done. Aberdeen are nowhere near good enough considering the investment at the club.
A point would be a very good outcome from this game. Three would be sensational.
Rangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
For his second match in charge of Aberdeen and his first away from home, Stephen Robinson makes four changes.
Afeez Aremu, Ante Palaversa, Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kenan Bilalovic all come into the side that started the 1-1 draw at home to Falkirk.
Mitchel Frame, Graeme Shinnie, Stuart Armstrong and Marko Lazetic drop to the bench.
Loan midfielder Lyall Cameron is not in the squad as he cannot play against his parent club.
Image source, SNSAberdeen's Kenan Bilalovic warms up at Ibrox
Rangers v Aberdeen (17:45)
Midfielder Thelo Aasgaard's inclusion is the only change to Rangers' starting line-up following last week's 1-0 win at St Mirren.
Winger Djeidi Gassama drops to the bench.
There's no Andreas Skov Olsen in the squad following illness but midfielder Mohamed Diomande could make his return from the bench.
Image source, SNS
Miguel Freckleton had only scored against clubs from Edinburgh before nodding in against Falkirk
At a glance
St Mirren pull Stephen Robinson's Aberdeen into relegation play-off race with surprise win over Falkirk
The Buddies' win over top-six candidates comes despite no permanent manager being in place after Robinson's departure
Liam Donnelly heads in winner as St Mirren score two set pieces
Managerless St Mirren produced an upset to stun top-six hopefuls Falkirk and boost their chances of Scottish Premiership survival.
As well as ending a dreadful run of form in the league, following a six-game winless streak, they also secured only their second away win of the season. Both have come against Falkirk.
But it was in-form Bairns striker Barney Stewart who had the hosts in front as he capitalised on dilly-dallying in the St Mirren back line to tuck the ball into the bottom corner.
But just three minutes later, St Mirren were level as a completely unmarked Miguel Freckleton headed in an equaliser from six yards out.
John McGlynn's side would feel aggrieved to go in all square, though.
Ben Broggio, who was a creative outlet all afternoon for Falkirk, whipped in a fine ball that found Stewart at the back post, but his header cannoned back off a post.
They would come to regret that miss in the second half, as they were stung by another St Mirren set piece.
Mark O'Hara curled in a fine free-kick from the right and Liam Donnelly rose highest to glance his header into the far corner.
Falkirk's wait for confirmation of their top-six place goes on, but Dundee United must beat Celtic on Sunday to keep that race alive.
At the bottom end, St Mirren are now 12 points clear of Livingston and only three behind ninth-placed Aberdeen.
Falkirk fans might feel rightly aggrieved by this result, but in a proper scrap it was St Mirren who proved more clinical.
They enjoyed more possession, created a higher expected goals (xG), got into the St Mirren box more, and generally played more eye-catching stuff.
But they missed big chances - Stewart hitting the post, Dylan Tait placing one wide, Filip Lissah taking a big touch in the box.
And although Stewart scored, he also has to get used to the life of a form striker. Five goals in his last four games now, with plenty debating whether he should be part of the senior Scotland squad.
But he was not left alone all afternoon by the St Mirren defence, mainly Freckleton. They pestered him, and fouled him plenty, but instead of feeding the Falkirk striker, it seemed to just frustrate him.
As for the managerless visitors, they tried to change up their direct style that they were famed for under Robinson, but it was almost their undoing.
The Falkirk goal only came from Freckleton's indecision at the back, and they don't look used to trying to play out from defence. Instead, the goals both came from set pieces.
A first win, then, for interim manager Craig McLeish. He claimed through the week that his time in charge has whetted his appetite for the permanent role. This victory will only add to his hunger.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "Good start, they make an error in defence and Barney's finish is really good, exactly where you want him to put the ball. I've seen them missed.
"But we didn't keep the lead for very long, we don't defend the set play particularly well. We give St Mirren some encouragement."
St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish: "Massive for us, delighted for the boys and the group. We needed this today - a hard fought win against a Falkirk side who're having a incredible season, and I hope they get over the line.
"We needed something to spark a bit of confidence and momentum. We were behind in the game, and that's my responsibility. I asked them to take more risks and we make a mistake.
"But how we respond to that is fantastic. I know it's two goals from set plays - we'd like to create more in the final third and I'd like us to try and play more when we're under pressure."
Falkirk visit Motherwell next Saturday (15:00 GMT) hoping their top six place has been secured by results elsewhere, while St Mirren host Aberdeen at the same time as Robinson returns.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 53 | 25 | 28 | 66 |
| |
| 31 | 16 | 13 | 2 | 52 | 25 | 27 | 61 |
| |
| 30 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 56 | 32 | 24 | 61 |
| |
| 31 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 49 | 23 | 26 | 54 |
| |
| 31 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 48 |
| |
| 31 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 39 | 40 | -1 | 43 |
| |
| 30 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 48 | -10 | 34 |
| |
| 31 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 49 | -18 | 32 |
| |
| 31 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 30 | 42 | -12 | 31 |
| |
| 31 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 47 | -22 | 27 |
| |
| 31 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 35 | 60 | -25 | 27 |
| |
| 31 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 31 | 61 | -30 | 15 |
|
Manager:John McGlynn
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Craig McLeish
Formation:3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager:John McGlynn
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Craig McLeish
Formation:3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
After their 2-0 win in January, Falkirk could win back-to-back top-flight meetings with St. Mirren for the first time since February 2008.
St. Mirren have won six of their last nine away games at Falkirk in the top-flight (D1 L2), including most recently in September (2-1).
After only winning two of their opening nine home league matches of the season (D5 L2), Falkirk have since won four of their last six (L2).
St. Mirren’s only away league win of this season was at Falkirk in September; the Buddies are winless in 12 on the road since (D3 L9), their longest winless away run in the top-flight since going 20 without victory from November 2009 to October 2010.
Since (and including) his hat-trick against Hibernian on January 24th, Falkirk’s Barney Stewart has eight goal involvements in eight Scottish Premiership appearances (6 goals, 2 assists), the most of any player in the competition in this time.
