Mark McGhee believes his side should have taken at least a point at Pittordrie

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee believes his side shot themselves in the foot after losing a two-goal lead in the 3-2 defeat by Rangers at Pittodrie.

Scott Vernon and Chris Maguire put the Dons in charge, but they collapsed as a Kenny Miller double and a Nikica Jelavic goal saw Rangers claim victory.

"I think we've conspired against ourselves," McGhee told BBC Scotland.

"From a position where we were making it very difficult for Rangers, we've made it quite easy for them."

The Dons appeared to have a grip on the game after racing into a 2-0 lead, but Jerel Ifil conceded a penalty, converted by Miller, after clipping Vladimir Weiss.

"It was a penalty and with (Weiss) moving as quickly as he did, if you go to ground, it will be a penalty," said McGhee.

"Ifil shouldn't have gone to ground. The second goal, Rory McArdle got too far ahead of it and allowed them to get in at that side of us and the third goal was a joke."

We've got to be better and more professional - good teams don't allow that to happen to themselves Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee

McGhee was hopeful that the return of some of his injured first-team regulars would help their cause.

"We've got Aluko, Velicka, Pawlett and Hartley all to come in, which will further improve what we've even seen for long spells today," he said.

"But we still need to get to a level where we can beat Rangers at home."

Victory for Rangers saw them claim their first league win at Pittodrie for the first time since December 2006.

McGhee feels Maguire was unlucky to be shown a red card after his challenge on Steven Naismith was deemed by referee Willie Collum to be a second bookable offence.

"He's chased back and done his best to win the ball," McGhee said.

"I don't know if he got any of the ball at all, I'll need to see it again. But what can I say? The referee was quick to send him off.

"We've got to be better and more professional. Good teams don't allow that to happen to themselves."

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