Embattled Philippe Clement claimed Rangers produced one of their best performances of the season as they fell nine points behind Aberdeen and Celtic in the title race with a disastrous defeat at Pittodrie.
In a predictably frantic match, the home team took the lead thanks to Nicky Devlin just after the half-hour mark.
Jimmy Thelin’s men wasted the chance to go two up at half-time when Jamie McGrath missed a penalty. Nedim Bajrami made Jimmy Thelin’s team pay with a second-half equaliser.
But with Rangers unable to go ahead, substitute Shayden Morris sealed a famous victory with a close-range strike with 16 minutes remaining – his first league goal for the club – to ensure the resurgent Dons have won 15 games and tied one at 16 under par. your new manager.
Clement, however, insisted the latest setback was tough on his players. He said: “It’s very disappointing to lose but we could have drawn or won if things had been on our side.”
“We started well, but then Aberdeen took over and we struggled. Then we had the game in our hands, but we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities and they did.
Philippe Clement now faces serious doubts about his future after defeat at Pittodrie
Shayden Morris gives a well-deserved victory after uncertainty in the visiting defense
Morris celebrates with delirious teammates as Dons’ incredible season continues apace
‘We need to be more clinical in the final third and we also need to have more luck on our side. But I thought this was one of our best performances this season with the new team.
‘Full credit to Aberdeen for the way they played. They deserve to be up there.
“We are working hard to improve things, but I think this was one of the best performances by several players.
‘In points, surely we should have more. But if the toenail hadn’t been there (against Cyriel Dessers) for our offside goal, it could have been 2-2.
“It’s not that Aberdeen blew us away. That’s not the reality.
‘The fans want to win and so do we. “We need to improve to get the nine points, but it’s about building momentum again.”
Clement claimed his team could still make up the points difference between themselves and the top two.
Rangers captain James Tavernier leaves the field as the victorious Dons stars celebrate
“Yes, it’s a big difference, but if you focus on the difference, you’re not focused on scoring the points,” he added.
“When I came in last season, there was also a big gap at that time and we came back all the way, but we didn’t make it at the end of the way.
“So, it was a story of game by game, giving everything to get the three points and going game by game. So that’s what we have to do again.”
Don’s boss Thelin was effusive in praising the character his team once again showed to preserve their perfect record at Pittodrie.
“It was certainly an emotional game, a lot of things happened today,” he said.
“I think our first half was one of the best. We attacked in different ways, the intensity of the game was very strong.
“In the second half they had more momentum, but we stayed in the game with a really strong team spirit.
Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin celebrates after scoring the first goal at Pittodrie
“It was difficult in some parts, but with the fans, how they support us and also the calmness, we stayed there in the game.
“And, on the other hand, the players who enter the field make some differences, and they are important.” We know that we are really dangerous in transitions and we find a way.
“I am very happy with the character of the team, the team spirit is very strong.”
Thelin downplayed the importance of the result, saying: “Once again, for us it’s a three-point game and we’re going game by game.”
“I know, of course, we’ve talked before about history and all this kind of stuff, which the fans have to enjoy today, but for us now it’s staying focused, and now we have another important game on Saturday.”