A very young Aberdeen Under 18s side were defeated by Rangers at their East Dunbartonshire training base on Friday afternoon, in a game that was made difficult for the young Dons after an early red card for Dons keeper Rodrigo Vitols.
Fraser Mackie headed the away side into an early lead, but the red card for Vitols was a turning point in a game that saw the hosts come from behind in the second half.
Stuart Duff, who was aided by Stuart Glennie and Liam McGarry for the away trip while Scott Anderson assisted the first team back at Cormack Park, named a very different looking line up to the side that defeated St Johnstone last time out in the SFA Youth Cup.
Loanees Brendan Hamilton, Alfie Stewart, Findlay Marshall and Alfie Bavidge as well as Fletcher Boyd all left the squad entirely, coming into the much changed XI was Cooper Masson, Joseph Teasdale, Oliver Green, Dylan Ross and Ellis Clark, who was suspended for the cup tie against the Saints.
After a few half chances during the opening exchanges, it was Aberdeen who took the lead after just six minutes. Clark’s freekick was flicked towards the back post by a Rangers defender where Mackie was waiting to pounce and direct the ball over the line from close range to give his side the lead.
Unfortunately, the recurring nightmare of early red cards for the Under 18s reared its head again, this time after just 14 minutes: Vitols shown a straight red card after wiping out Eadie who was through on goal. There were no protests from anyone in red, and the Dons goalie departed with little objection.
Rueben Smillie was stripped and ready to go in his place, Dylan Ross the unfortunate player withdrawn after the dismissal.
From the free-kick the hosts were unable to find an instant leveller, but there would be plenty more opportunities for Rangers over the course of the half.
Adamson and Willox both had efforts blocked and then saved respectively in quick succession as Aberdeen looked to regroup and take stock. The game was getting played in the Dons half, but they looked organised and were containing the hosts well.
There was a rare chance up the other end from a free-kick, Kai Watson headed in, the skipper was denied by a raised linesmen’s flag.
The Rangers pressure ramped up again towards the end of the half with a flurry of corners, but Smillie was equal to everything thrown at him.
Willox perhaps should have pulled his side level with a glorious chance at the back post in injury time, but he could only head wide.
There was no more action during the opening period, and the ten men of Aberdeen went in ahead.
Half time Rangers 0 Aberdeen 1.
Unfortunately for the young Dons it was Rangers who found their groove in the second 45, and a goal laden half saw the hosts emerge with all three points.
The leveller came through Eadie after just four minutes of the half had been played, who converted from close range.
Following the goal, there was an abundance of Rangers chances, Burnside and Willox both responsible for not being able to find the back of the net with two chances in quick succession.
Yet just after the hour mark it was Aberdeen who regained the lead. Against the run of play, the young Dons countered with pace and Joseph Teasdale was waiting in the middle of the penalty box to fire home. Rangers 1, ten-man Aberdeen 2. Once again tremendous character shown by the 18s.
Frustratingly it was a short-lived lead and just two minutes later Lewis Stewart, who was just introduced from the Rangers bench moments prior, poked the ball under Smillie to make it 2-2.
After Rangers second equaliser of the game Stuart Duff introduced Jack Searle, replacing Oliver Green.
Within two minutes Rangers found themselves ahead for the first time. Archie Stevens drove at goal and was able to find the finish to match, his effort enough to beat Smillie. The young Dons had battled well, but it was evident that the man disadvantage was taking its toll on the young side.
As the game began to wind to a conclusion Lewis Stewart added a fourth for Rangers, capping off a well worked move with a first-time finish.
Zak To was the final introduction off the bench for Aberdeen, the young forward came in on in the place of Cammy Wilson, his first involvement at Under 18 level to see out the final five minutes.
Next up for the Under 18s in the league is a trip to Edinburgh to take on Hibernian on Friday the 9th of February, where they will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league after two defeats on the bounce.
Rangers Teamsheet
Halliwell, Hutton, Scott, Grant, Campbell, Mcclure, Adamson, Burnside, Eadie, Willox, Stevens
Unused Subs: Kerr, Wyllie, Bell, Leitch, Stewart, Thackray
Aberdeen Teamsheet Vitols,
Carrol,
Watson,
Wilson (
To 85),
Masson,
Mackie,
Teasdale (
Stephen 75),
Clark,
Green (
Searle 68),
Akindileni,
Ross (
Smilie 14).
Bookings: Vitols (14).
Venue: Rangers FC Training Ground, Glasgow