Naderi strikes late as Rangers reach Premier Sports Cup final

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 22:50 · Archive

Ryan Naderi scored in the 83rd minute to give Rangers a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on 31 October.

Aberdeen began well and restricted Rangers to one shot on target in the first half. Rangers, who went into the match unbeaten in ten games, dominated possession after the interval, subjecting Aberdeen to relentless pressure. Aberdeen survived until late in the match despite being weakened by five defenders missing through suspension or injury: Lewis Mayo, Mats Knoester, Dan Happe, Kristers Tobers and Chris Cadden. Nicky Devlin made his first start of the season as a result.

Naderi's winning goal came when he redirected a strike from James Penrice into the net. The 23-year-old striker, who has now scored eight goals this season, later reflected on his performance. 'It feels amazing. I'm happy, of course, happy to be the one who scores the goals, but happy for the team. I think we deserved it. We believed we could score right up until the very end and we did, and I think it's a deserved win,' he said. Naderi joked about his preference for close-range chances, saying: 'I've tried to shoot twice today from outside of the box and it didn't go well. So I went back inside the box. Maybe I should just stick to the easy ones.'

Rangers manager Derek McInnes expressed satisfaction at reaching the final but raised concerns about his team's efficiency in front of goal. He branded the attacking statistics 'embarrassing', noting that Rangers managed 25 shots with only five on target. McInnes acknowledged the inexperience of his attackers but said improvements were needed, particularly from wide players such as Badredine Bouanani and Kim Min-su, who has yet to score or assist this season. He said: 'Semi-finals aren't easy to get through, particularly when you play the way we did in the first half. We were ponderous when we needed to be quicker.'

Rangers will face the winners of Sunday's semi-final between Hearts and Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup final on 13 December.

How it is being reported

• Stats not good enough! Derek McInnes issues warning to his Rangers players over their profligacy in front of goalRangers manager Derek McInnes last night warned his side they have to ramp up the killer instinct in front of goal after branding their attacking stats in the semi-final win over Aberdeen 'embarrassing'.Daily Mail Sport · 31 Oct, 22:41
• McInnes demands more after delivering Rangers' trophy chanceDerek McInnes knows there is room for improvement as he steers in-form Rangers to the Premier Sports Cup final with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen.BBC Sport · 31 Oct, 22:40
• RANGERS 1 ABERDEEN 0: Ryan Naderi the Hampden hero as Light Blues squeeze past dogged Dons to reach finalRyan Naderi is developing the happy knack of turning up in the right place at the right time for Rangers.Daily Mail Sport · 31 Oct, 20:41
• Naderi breaks Aberdeen’s resistance as Rangers reach Premier Sports Cup finalRyan Naderi’s dramatic late strike broke down Aberdeen’s stubborn resistance to earn Rangers a place in the Premier Sports Cup final. Aberdeen restricted Rangers to one shot on target in a low quality first half, but Derek McInnes’s side picked up the pace after the break. Continue reading...The Guardian · 31 Oct, 20:36
• Naderi strikes late to send Rangers into League Cup finalRyan Naderi's dramatic late strike broke down Aberdeen for a 1-0 win to book Rangers a place in the Premier Sports Cup final.Sky Sports · 31 Oct, 19:20
• Can Robinson work Hampden magic against McInnes' Rangers?Under-pressure Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has an excellent record in Hampden semi-finals. But is Saturday's meeting with Rangers a bridge too far?BBC Sport · 30 Oct, 21:26

In this story: Rangers · Aberdeen · Ryan Naderi · Derek McInnes · Stephen Robinson · Hampden Park · Hearts · Hibernian

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