Leighton Clarkson has hit out at Aberdeen's performance following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Rangers at Pittodrie, describing his side as "miles off it" in the second half after letting a two-goal lead slip.
The Dons looked set to secure a significant win that would have propelled them back into third place in the Scottish Premiership, but instead, Rangers mounted a remarkable comeback, leaving Celtic's title celebrations on hold.
Aberdeen were in control at half-time, leading 2-0 thanks to Clarkson’s brilliant free-kick and a close-range strike from Pape Gueye.
However, despite Rangers playing with 10 men following Ross McCausland's 40th minute dismissal, the Ibrox side fought back in the second half.
Hamza Igamane reduced the deficit early in the second half before substitute Ianis Hagi scored a dramatic equaliser in the dying seconds.
"We are really down," Clarkson said in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. "When you get the two goals up at half-time, you need to keep that tempo in the game for the full 90 minutes. The manager told us before we need a 90-minute performance and second half, we were miles off it."
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The game was set up for Aberdeen to close out the win, particularly with the numerical advantage and the backing of a packed Pittodrie.
However, Clarkson admitted that his team struggled to deal with the oppositions' counter-attacks once Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson tweaked things at the interval.
"We knew that they were going to sit in and try and hit us on transitions all game, even with the 10 men," he said. "And it's two nothing balls really over the top, and we don't deal with it. We don't capitalise up the other end enough as well, so it's very frustrating," he stated.
Despite the frustrations, Clarkson didn’t believe the team was passive but acknowledged the difficulty of playing against 10 men, since Rangers tended to sit deep and pick their moments to attack.
"I wouldn't say it was passive, I think we fell into the trap of 11 vs 10, it happens sometimes. Sometimes it's more difficult to play against ten because you know they are going to sit in and try to cover the spaces," the former Liverpool starlet added.
Aberdeen had multiple chances to seal the game, including a disallowed goal from Kevin Nisbet, whose strike was ruled out by VAR for a handball.
"We weren't as fluid in the attack as we were in the first half," Clarkson noted. "And as soon as they got that first goal, they were always going to have that one more chance. It's unlucky for us because the lad [Hagi] took it well, to be fair."
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While the result was a bitter disappointment for Aberdeen, Clarkson had a moment of individual brilliance to celebrate. His stunning free-kick, which put his side 1-0 up, was a memorable strike that evoked comparisons to James Maddison's iconic goal against Rangers in September 2016.
"I thought he [Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly] left me a decent amount of space," Clarkson explained. "I put my arm up as if to say I was going to go back post and that I was getting Kev [Nisbet]. But then there was only one thought in my mind that I was going to aim for that top corner."
He went on to say: "I've definitely seen that [Maddison free-kick], it was a similar area, so as soon as I was walking to it, I managed to rethink it that he scored from that area. So, it was always a thought on my mind. Then, as soon as I seen him give me that space, I just thought, 'I'll put it there.'"
The game changed after Shayden Morris, who had been a key contributor with a brilliant solo run leading to Gueye's goal, was withdrawn just before the hour mark.
His departure seemed to disrupt Aberdeen’s attacking flow, and neither Oday Dabbagh nor Ester Sokler, brought on as substitutes, were able to provide the spark needed. The pair struggled to make an impact, leaving Aberdeen unable to regain their earlier rhythm.
The dramatic draw leaves Aberdeen frustrated after a game they should have won, and with Rangers surviving a scare, Celtic's wait for a fourth-consecutive league title continues.
Clarkson and his teammates will now look to regroup and ensure they finish the season strongly despite the setback. Next up is a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden Park next Saturday.
