Aberdeen vs Rangers; Scottish Premiership
Aberdeen vs Rangers. Scottish Premiership.
Pittodrie.
Aberdeen 0-1 Rangers: Shankland penalty earns Gers first league win after VAR denies Nisbet equaliser
Report as Rangers bounce back from their midweek European humiliation with Derek McInnes securing his first league win in charge of the club in Aberdeen; Lawrence Shankland scored from the spot but Kevin Nisbet's goal was struck off after an on-field VAR review
Sunday 30 August 2026 15:10, UK
Lawrence Shankland's penalty proved decisive as Rangers secured a 1-0 win at Aberdeen, their first Scottish Premiership win of the season, after the home side were denied a late equaliser by VAR at Pittodrie, easing the pressure on Derek McInnes.
The Gers skipper fired his penalty right into the top corner, stepping up after Djeidi Gassama was brought down in the penalty area by Daniel Happe deep into the second half.
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Aberdeen thought they had found an equaliser when in-form Kevin Nisbet headed home what would have been his 10th goal of the season, only for VAR to rule the striker offside as the ball was played to him, despite suggestions of a push on Dujon Sterling.
Rangers had the best chance of the game before taking the lead, with Afeez Aremu producing a huge goal-line clearance in the 38th minute.
Gassama powered forward on a brilliant counter before Kim tried to dink the ball beyond Muller, only for the Aberdeen goalkeeper to take enough pace off the effort for Aremu to race back and clear it off the line.
It had been a bruising week for Rangers, who saw their European campaign come to an abrupt end after defeat on penalties to Jablonec in midweek. With just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership games, the pressure had been building on McInnes.
The new Rangers boss desperately needed a response at Pittodrie and, despite another testing afternoon, his side delivered it against his former employers.
The key moments from Pittodrie Stadium
2: CLOSE! Big chance for Aberdeen early on. Ronan's set piece is inviting and finds Happe at the back post, who tries to guide it in but knocks it over the bar from close range.
38: AREMU CLEARS ONE OFF THE LINE! Wow. Gassama gallops up from one end of the pitch. He's the whole counter-attacking move as he brings in Kim to his right. He attempts to dink it to Shankland so he has a tap-in, but Aremu gets back in the nick of time to clear.
68: PENALTY TO RANGERS! Happe brings down Gassama. It's a stonewaller.
69: GOAL! SHANKLAND FIRES RIGHT INTO THE TOP CORNER. WHAT A PEN. MULLER HAD NO CHANCE!
81: ABERDEEN WANT A PENALTY! It will be checked... Nisbet goes down under pressure from Sterling as a ball in hurtles towards the back post.
83: GOAL! NISBET DAGGER! He heads in after a couple of Pandur saves but this is going to be checked by VAR.
86: NO GOAL! Nisbet had both hands on Sterling as he gained leverage to head home the equaliser. After an on-field review, the goal does not stand.
McInnes: We have to make wins a habit
Rangers boss Derek McInnes speaking to Sky Sports:
"Just really satisfied with what I saw today. Pleased for the players and the supporters.
"It was a huge effort from everyone and we get the reward with three points. It's nothing more than we deserve. For the first time in a long time, a lot of Rangers supporters probably enjoyed the performance.
"When the chance comes along, it's a big moment for Lawrence and that's why we brought him here.
"Thursday was a really poor performance; we had to dig deep, so the players deserve credit for sorting their heads out.
"We need to enjoy the win, but we need to make it a habit."
Robinson: I can't control VAR decisions
Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson speaking to Sky Sports:
"Key moments went against us.
"There was nothing in the game between the sides in the first half and I thought we responded really well in the second.
"I can't control decisions, I can't control what VAR sees, I can control how to defend better. I think in the first half we should have had a bit more composure in front of goal.
"You can't feel sorry for yourself, you have to go again."
Pundit reaction/Analysis...
Sky Sports' Chris Sutton:
"Is this a turning point for Rangers under Derek McInnes?
"It was a bitty performance, but I thought Rangers were the better team. Aberdeen offered absolutely nothing."
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd:
"You're asking yourself again what is going on with recruitment? If there's not been any bids for [Nicolas] Raskin, so get him in your team because he's the best midfielder by a country mile.
"Rangers must have over 30 players; it's not sustainable. They need to get five, six, seven out at least before the window closes. There are other areas of the team that need strengthening other than the forward areas.
"I think they're still shy of someone who can connect the midfield and be creative."
