Aberdeen vs Rangers

This weekend, Rangers make the trip to Pittodrie Stadium to take on Aberdeen in a pivotal Scottish Premiership encounter, with the primary objective of delaying Celtic’s inevitable title celebrations for at least another week. The Hoops, sitting comfortably at the summit of the league table, could mathematically clinch the championship as early as Saturday if they secure a victory against Kilmarnock. Should that scenario unfold, Rangers would then be under immediate pressure to avoid defeat against Aberdeen on Sunday to keep their slim title aspirations alive—however improbable they may seem at this stage.  

While Rangers’ hopes of catching Celtic appear increasingly distant, their position in the league remains solid. With a 15-point cushion over third-placed Hibernian, the Gers require just four more points from their remaining six fixtures to officially confirm a second-place finish. Despite this comfortable buffer, recent performances have been far from flawless. Last weekend, Hibernian delivered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, marking the third loss under interim manager Barry Ferguson’s stewardship. The result served as a reminder that, despite their strong standing, Rangers cannot afford complacency in the closing stages of the season.  

Midweek brought a different kind of challenge as Rangers locked horns with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash. The match was a true test of resilience, particularly after defender Robin Propper was shown a red card within the opening 15 minutes. Reduced to ten men, Rangers displayed remarkable defensive discipline, weathering relentless pressure from the La Liga outfit to emerge with a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Goalkeeper Liam Kelly emerged as the hero of the night, pulling off a series of crucial saves—including a penalty stop to deny Alex Berenguer—ensuring his side remained level heading into the second leg.  

Now, attention shifts back to domestic matters as Rangers prepare for their trip to Aberdeen. The fixture presents an intriguing tactical battle, pitting the league’s second-best away side against the team with the third-strongest home record. Rangers’ recent away form has been nothing short of explosive, with the team scoring three or more goals in each of their last five league matches on the road. Historically, this is a rare feat—only twice before, in 1899 and 1957, have Rangers managed such a prolific scoring streak across six consecutive away games. Another high-scoring performance this weekend would see the current squad etch their names into the club’s record books.  

However, while their attacking prowess has been undeniable, defensive frailties remain a concern. Rangers are on the verge of an unwanted milestone, having conceded two or more goals in six straight league matches—a streak they will be desperate to avoid extending to seven, which would mark a first in the club’s 152-year history. These defensive lapses have played a significant role in Rangers’ inability to keep pace with Celtic this season. Despite boasting the second-best away record in the league, the Gers have dropped points in half of their away fixtures—a statistic that starkly contrasts with Celtic’s more consistent performances on the road, where they have collected seven more points than their Glasgow rivals.  

Aberdeen, meanwhile, enter this match in a resurgent phase after enduring a turbulent campaign. The Dons began the season in spectacular fashion, going unbeaten in their first 11 league matches—a run that saw them briefly overtake Celtic at the top of the table in November. However, their form nosedived alarmingly as they subsequently went 14 games without a win, a dismal stretch that left them languishing in mid-table obscurity. The drastic downturn has seen Aberdeen fall a staggering 29 points behind Celtic, with both Rangers and Hibernian overtaking them in the standings.  

Yet, recent weeks have offered signs of revival. Jimmy Thelin’s side have lost just once in their last seven league outings, and their two most recent victories equal their total number of wins from the preceding 19 matches. This resurgence has reignited hopes of European qualification, with the Europa League and Conference League still realistic targets for the Dons.  

The head-to-head record between these two sides this season adds further intrigue to Sunday’s encounter. Aberdeen emerged victorious when the teams last met at Pittodrie in October, with Nicky Devlin and Shayden Morris finding the net in a 2-1 triumph. Rangers, however, exacted revenge in emphatic fashion during the reverse fixture in January, cruising to a 3-0 win at Ibrox courtesy of goals from Hamza Igamane, Leon Balogun, and Cyriel Dessers.  

With Celtic’s title coronation all but confirmed, both Rangers and Aberdeen are already assured of a top-six finish ahead of the league split. For Rangers, the immediate priority is securing Champions League qualification for next season—a goal that could also be achieved by winning the Europa League, which would grant them an automatic berth regardless of their domestic standing. Aberdeen, meanwhile, will be eager to maintain their improved form as they look ahead to a Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Hearts later this month—a potential route to silverware and European football.  

As the final stretch of the season unfolds, Sunday’s match carries significant implications for both clubs. Rangers will be determined to keep their faint title hopes flickering while solidifying their grip on second place, whereas Aberdeen aim to continue their resurgence and stake their claim for a European spot. With pride, momentum, and continental ambitions at stake, this encounter promises to be a compelling chapter in the Scottish Premiership’s narrative.