Ricksen sees red as Dons ko Rangers

Aberdeen 3 Rangers 2

Last year's Bank of Scotland Premier League champions suffered their first Pittodrie reverse since 1999 thanks to Jamie Smith's late winner.

Rangers had been in the ascendancy after goals from Dado Prso and Peter Lovenkrands had wiped out a 2-0 lead courtesy of first-half strikes from Russell Anderson and Steve Lovell.

But there were still 35 minutes remaining when Ricksen was shown his second yellow card of the game which also means he misses next week's Old Firm derby at Ibrox and in the end the 10 men were unable to hold out for a point.

McLeish said: "Obviously the sending-off was a turning point. We had shown great spirit by fighting back and we lost to a soft goal in the last minute.

"But I am not going to make any complaints about the ref or excuses for anybody. We lost the game and we have to look forward."

Ricksen had been booked in the first half following a number of hot-headed moments that saw him clash with Dons defender Alexander Diamond and his own team-mate Nacho Novo.

Two clatterings of Scott Severin led to the first yellow card and a red followed after Kevin McNaughton was body-checked off the ball.

McLeish said of the latter decision: "I would need to see it on telly again because like everyone else, I was following the ball."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood was delighted his side had come out on top and admitted the removal of Ricksen had been a huge boost.

He said: "You enjoy every victory obviously but especially against the Old Firm. We are very happy, especially for our supporters.

"Of course, it was worrying to lose a 2-0 lead and their goals were poor from our point of view.

"At that moment you think 'here we go again' but we got the break. It was the turning point with Fernando getting sent off.

"You don't like to see players sent off but I was breathing a little bit easier when it happened, I'm not going to lie to you."

Calderwood praised skipper Anderson for his bravery in heading the opening goal while being booted in the face.

He said: "I thought he was magnificent. I didn't think he was going to come out for the second half. He was a wee bit unconscious at one point. Obviously he plays better like that."

ABERDEEN: Esson, Severin, Diamond, Anderson, Nicholson, Dempsey (Stewart 81), Clark, McNaughton, Muirhead (Foster 79), Lovell (Craig 73), Smith.

RANGERS: Waterreus, Pierre-Fanfan, Malcolm (Thompson 45), Rodriguez, Ball, Ricksen, Ferguson, Murray, Lovenkrands (Ross 74), Novo (Alex Rae 61), Prso.

Referee: J Underhill (Scotland).