Premiership (Scotland)

The Gers boss described the 3-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road on Wednesday as a great advert for Scottish football but he was less enamoured by the game in blustery Paisley.

The Light Blues’ in-form striker Cyriel Dessers scored the only goal of the windswept match after 14 minutes, taking his tally for the season to 12, as the Ibrox men kept up their pursuit of leaders Celtic.

“After the Hibs game, I said it was a good advertisement for Scottish football, the way the two teams played with tempo, good combination play, attacking actions, real intensity and high tempo,” said Clement, who refused to confirm the widely-reported Rangers interest in Brazil left-back Jefte.

“Today was the opposite, because of the circumstances. I’m not the guy who can control circumstances – that’s not my job. My job is to see that my team is ready for all circumstances, and they were today.

“I’m even prouder of them than I was after the Hibs game, because this was more difficult.

“After a good game with good football, in the way we want to play and the way we train also, we adapted to the circumstances here where you cannot play good football.

“You need to do it in a different way and it’s not so easy because it’s not the way you train or work.

“You need to have personality, resilience, structure, hard work and doing the right things with the ball in a different way to what we are used to.

“They did that, better in the second half than in the first half. You need some time to adapt, so that was part of the story also.

“But it was a very mature performance and this is what you need if you want to win trophies. You need to be ready in all circumstances.”

The Ibrox club have reportedly reached an agreement to sign 20-year-old Jefte, currently on loan with Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia.

However, as has been his way during the January transfer window, Clement remained tight-lipped and said: “If there’s nothing signed with the player I can’t say anything.”

A frustrated Stephen Robinson believed his side did enough to get something for their efforts.

The Buddies boss said: “Ultimately (I feel) frustration. I thought we deserved a point at least out of the game.

“We pressed a very good team really well, won the ball back on numerous occasions and showed composure in very difficult conditions with the wind and pitch.

“We pushed a very good team all the way and the difference was a fantastic finish.

“I have to give credit. With the conditions, the wind, it was an incredible goal and that is the difference between the teams.

“Rangers knew they were going to be tested and we did that.

“The conditions didn’t suit either team. It wasn’t like it suited us more than them.

“We didn’t have a Dessers in the team that could make the difference by taking a chance.

“But if we play like we did, we’ll win more games than we lose.”

Midfielder Mohamed Diomande’s fine strike in just over a minute at Ibrox set the tone for an impressive performance.

Oscar Cortes doubled that lead with his first goal as a Light Blues player with striker Cyriel Dessers adding a third and fourth just before and after the break and substitute Fabio Silva scoring a fifth to pile pressure on Celtic, who take on Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.

The Gers boss, looking ahead to the visit to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, said: “There is nothing won. We won three points and have a difficult day again on Wednesday. I am already thinking about Wednesday.

“That is my character and it is what it is. It is also the best way and I want to see that from my players also. They can enjoy it, they can be happy today.

“They even have a day off tomorrow, that doesn’t happen that much. That was to be decided about results in the last couple of weeks so they deserve that.

“I expect that they come in really fresh on Monday with a lot of mentality and hunger for more. It is all about that. To be ambitious, to be hungry for more, to be better.”

The Belgian was not totally satisfied with everything he saw in the Gers’ 10th successive win, adding: “Not everything. But it has been one of the best until now, I think.

“If I want everything, I want to have less shots against on target in the second half.

“But we made a lot of changes and the other team has nothing to lose. Then you can get into this situation. Maybe Jack (Butland) was happy that he could show his quality in this game.

“I am really pleased but I see what I see in the training. It is not that these things are falling out of the sky.

“The team is growing, we have been talking about that a lot in the last weeks and months. They played a really good game and they took the moments also. That is important in football.

“The first goal from Dio is really important in a game like that to open up the game and then we continue and it is good that there is a hunger and desire to never stop, to always want more.

“That is the mentality I want to see and what we have been talking about the last couple of months.”

Third-placed Jambos suffered their first defeat in 13 matches and boss Steven Naismith was unhappy at the goals his side conceded.

The former Ibrox forward said: “We lost some of the weakest goals we have conceded at bad times in the game.

“After Rangers going top of the league last week and playing before Celtic this week, we knew they were going to start fast and the atmosphere would be loud and we probably didn’t deal with that well enough.

“When we concede the two goals, one early in the first half, one early in the second half, it is an uphill battle.

“It is a lesson to be learned. I would hope it wouldn’t (affect us) because we are in a really good place.”

The 49-year-old Belgian, appointed last Sunday as replacement for Michael Beale, had clearly asked his players to increase the tempo and get the ball forward quicker and they reaped early rewards when attacker Abdallah Sima scored a seventh goal in seven games in the 17th minute.

Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin drilled in a second just before the interval, Sima added a third in the 65th minute to make it nine for the season and striker Cyriel Dessers got a close-range goal 10 minutes from time.

Asked if he was impressed by the start to his tenure, the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco boss said: “Impressed is a big word. I am happy. I am happy about the result. I am happy that the seeds we planted this week, that the team is trying to do them as well as possible.

“I still saw a lot of details we can make better but I seen a team who stayed well in the structure and made the runs and the tempo we played at.

“The most important thing was the reaction after losing the ball or missing a chance. The reaction was good and that is a crucial apart of modern football.

“It is like the honeymoon. Everything is new. They need to confirm this the next week, the next month.”

On the other hand, Clement was not happy to see left-back Borna Barisic go off with an injury after 10 minutes to be replaced by Ridvan Yilmaz who is not in Rangers’ Europa League squad.

The new Gers boss does not know yet if Barisic will be fit for the game against Sparta Prague on Thursday but noted that Todd Cantwell, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe and Danilo were not fit to start the game – Cantwell and Danilo got on in the second half.

Jose Cifuentes returned from international duty with Ecuador with a knock and Tom Lawrence (calf) and Rabbi Matondo (knee) remain out.

Clement said: “On the downside for me, I see a player going off after 10 minutes – we will see (for Sparta Prague), I don’t know the situation.

“I see players who struggled to play 90 minutes also so there are still several players injured or coming back from injury so that is also going to be a main task together with the performance staff, to get everybody at his best physical level to produce this kind of game and better every few days for the next couple of months.

“It is not about one moment then afterwards too tired to do it again three days later.”

The Easter Road side’s six-game unbeaten run – five under Nick Montgomery – came to an end and the Hibs boss said: “It was a tough afternoon. It was a defeat.

“Obviously disappointed with the manner of the first goal. I thought we were building into the game at that point, frustrating them and we’d created a couple of half chances on the counter.

“It’s a disappointing goal to concede. And then they start building a bit of momentum, the fans are buoyed by a new coach coming in.

“The second goal, my view at the time is it was a foul on Joe Newell. That’s my opinion and I’ve watched it back on the video – he gets kicked from behind, into his Achilles before the ball is touched.

“I genuinely thought VAR would have called that back – but it wasn’t to be.

“The second half was difficult, a couple of sloppy turnovers, the pressure was off them and they’ve got quality players.

“They were more clinical than us in the final third today. We lacked a bit of creativity, didn’t generate many chances.

“It wasn’t to be, it’s a defeat and we accept it. We cop it on the chin and move forward.”

Four wins in a row without conceding a goal following a damaging 1-0 home loss to  Celtic had given the Gers boss some breathing space but defender Stefan Gartenmann scored his first Dons goal after 38 minutes, with the home side booed off at half-time.

A high-tempo Gers start had given way to another plodding, disjointed, one-paced performance and Dons midfielder Jamie McGrath added a second in the 68th minute before Light Blues’ half-time substitute Scott Wright was sent off three minutes later for picking up a second yellow card from referee Steven McLean for a foul on Gartenmann.

Abdallah Sima reduced the deficit for the 10-man home side from close range in the 75th minute but Dons defender Jack MacKenzie scored a third in the 85th minute to seal a deserved three points for Barry Robson’s men.

The result piles added pressure on Beale, who may be entering his final days in Govan with his side already seven points behind league leaders Celtic.

The boos that rung out at the end from the home fans who had stuck around told its own story.

An added-time Celtic winner at Motherwell earlier in the day had reminded the Ibrox crowd just how difficult it was going to be for the Light Blues to reduce the gap and even so early in the season that looks unlikely.

MacKenzie, Leighton Clarkson and Dante Polvara all came into the Aberdeen side but in a high-tempo start to the game, Gers striker Cyriel Dessers, in for injured Kemar Roofe, missed a great chance in the fourth minute when he ballooned a pin-point pass from skipper James Tavernier over the bar from 12 yards.

Midfielder Sam Lammers then shot wide from the edge of the box before attacker Sima headed a Jose Cifuentes cross past the near post.

In the 20th minute Aberdeen keeper Kelle Roos made a fine save from Dessers’ close-range header.

Despite Rangers having almost total control, the home fans became increasingly grumpy,  their mood not helped when Cifuentes missed a Tavernier cross right in front of goal.

And when Gartenmann, on a season-long loan from Midtjylland, escaped to the back post unmarked to knock in Clarkson’s corner from the left, the mood among the Light Blues supporters got worse.

Wright replaced Ryan Jack and Ridvan Yilmaz made way for Borna Barisic for the start of the second half as Beale looked for a route back amid growing anxiety.

In the 52nd minute Roos parried a low Barisic drive but inside a packed Dons penalty area the visitors scooped the loose ball away to safety.

Aberdeen were growing in confidence and, at the other end, striker Bojan Miovski headed a Clarkson cross against the post.

There was little fluency or tempo about Rangers and there was worse to come following a few seconds of pinball inside the Gers box, with Rangers players blocking various attempts before McGrath hammered the ball past keeper Jack Butland.

It was all going wrong for Rangers and former Aberdeen player Wright, booked  earlier for a tackle on MacKenzie, saw yellow again for a foul on Gartenmann.

The depleted Light Blues were handed a lifeline when Sima slotted in from close range after Cifuentes had poked a loose ball back across the goalmouth but MacKenzie soon restored the two goal lead – confirmed after a long VAR check – when he drove in off the bar after Aberdeen again had the Gers defence in disarray.

Philippe Clement lost his first game as Gers boss in the narrow 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday but, just as it looked as if they were losing their way a bit after an energetic start, late first-half goals from wide-men Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima gave them a commanding interval lead.

Killie, who went into the game unbeaten in six games, fought back and Danny Armstrong reduced the deficit in the 58th minute with a penalty awarded after VAR intervention.

It was the first penalty Rangers had conceded in 75 cinch Premiership matches since Lewis Ferguson netted for Aberdeen in a 1-1 draw in January 2022.

However, Todd Cantwell soon restored the two-goal cushion as Rangers ensured the Celtic defeat was a speed bump rather than a road block.

The result sees Gers keep the pressure on the leaders going into the winter break, where  Clement is sure to further bolster his squad – which had Portuguese attacker Fabio Silva coming off the bench to make his debut.

The afternoon began with a poignant minute’s silence in tribute to the 66 fans who died in the Ibrox Disaster on January 2, 1971, before Rangers looked to make amends for their weekend woes by starting with pace and purpose.

In the seventh minute a shot from Gers attacker Cyriel Dessers on the turn struck the outside of the post.

Killie keeper Will Dennis then turned a deflected drive from Sima past the post for a corner which came to nothing before Dessers headed a cross from left-back Ridvan Yilmaz just over the bar.

However, in the 28th minute a pass from Killie substitute David Watson, on for the injured Liam Donnelly, split the square Gers defence to find captain Kyle Vassell running clear on goal but Ibrox goalkeeper Jack Butland raced out to block the shot with his foot.

That was enough to bring groans tumbling down from the stands but in the 41st minute, just as Killie sensed an opener was there for the taking, they conceded when Dessers’ terrific raking pass sent McCausland through on goal and the Northern Ireland international drove it low into the corner of the net.

The Light Blues did not take long to double their lead, Sima taking a cross into the box from Connor Goldson on his chest four minutes later, before turning and hammering the ball past Dennis from 12 yards for his 15th goal of the season before he goes on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

Killie came out fighting at the start of the second half and there was VAR check for a penalty when McKenzie’s cross struck the arm of defender John Souttar, in for suspended Leon Balogun, before going out.

Referee John Beaton went to his pitch-side monitor and then pointed to the spot with Armstrong giving Butland no chance.

It could have returned the nerves to Ibrox but three minutes later Cantwell converted a Yilmaz cross from close-range for his second goal in three games.

Dennis saved a decent drive from Gers skipper James Tavernier and Dessers took too long when presented with a chance and was crowded out, before he was replaced by Wolves loanee Silva.

In the 75th minute Cantwell should have scored again with only Dennis to beat but shot straight at the keeper before Rangers continued to keep a spirited Rugby Park side at bay until the final whistle.

Striker Amadou Bakayoko stunned the home fans in the fifth minute but the Light Blues responded with goals from forward Cyriel Dessers, skipper James Tavernier – with a penalty awarded by VAR – and attacker Abdallah Sima.

Gers midfielder Jose Cifuentes was sent off at the end of the first half after another VAR intervention saw a yellow card upgraded to red.

Rangers played the second half with 10 men but could have increased their lead despite a valiant effort from the visitors. They move five points behind leaders Celtic, who play Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Gers had lost midfielder Tom Lawrence and striker Danilo to injury against Hearts in midweek and, also with one eye on the final Europa League group game against Real Betis on Thursday, he rang the changes.

Borna Barisic, John Souttar, Cifuentes, Rabbi Matondo and Dessers came back in while Connor Goldson, Ross McCausland and Ridvan Yilmaz dropped to the bench.

The visitors, with centre-back Ricki Lamie in for the injured Owen Beck, soon threatened.

Gers keeper Jack Butland had to produce a fantastic save from Lyall Cameron in the fourth minute after he had waltzed through the Gers defence with ease.

The home side did not heed the warning. Cameron floated the corner into the box and it eventually fell to unmarked Bakayoko who knocked in from five yards.

The mood inside Ibrox changed until Dessers equalised.

Dundee’s Jordan McGhee headed Tavernier’s long and aimless ball straight to Gers midfielder Todd Cantwell, who moved the ball on to the former Feyenoord striker. His first effort was blocked but he hammered his second attempt high past Carson.

The afternoon got worse for the Taysiders when referee Kevin Clancy was sent to check his monitor for a possible penalty when Sima’s shirt was pulled by Aaron Donnelly at a corner.

Clancy pointed to the spot and Tavernier sent Carson the wrong way to turn the game on its head, although the Light Blues defence still looked leaky.

However, Sima’s powerful header from a Tavernier corner gave Carson no chance and made it four goals in three games for the Senegalese attacker.

Dundee’s Joe Shaughnessy had the ball in the Rangers net minutes later but Bakayoko had barged into Butland to prevent him gathering and a free-kick was correctly given.

Then Cantwell netted for Rangers but Clancy had already blown for an infringement.

As Rangers pressed, Cantwell’s powerful drive was brilliantly saved by Carson before Tavernier clipped the top of the bar.

In added time, Clancy again went pitchside to check a foul by Cifuentes on Bakayoko and returned to dismiss the midfielder.

Cantwell was sacrificed for the more defensive Dujon Sterling, with Matondo making way for McCausland for the second half.

Cameron tested Butland with a long-range drive before Clement was booked for venting his spleen on the touchline.

Sima should have scored a second in the 64th minute after bursting through the Dundee defence but shot wide and then Dessers got himself clear only to be crowded out by backtracking defenders.

Dundee skipper Joe Shaughnessy cleared a Leon Balogun shot off the line and Sterling crashed a shot off the post in the final minute of normal time as the home side ran out comfortable winners.

Staggies skipper Jack Baldwin scored an own goal after 15 minutes of a first half in which the home side could have netted at least twice against a below-par Gers outfit.

County then scored two quick-fire second-half goals through Simon Murray and George Harmon before Josh Sims added a stunning third and the hosts survived a late penalty from Gers skipper James Tavernier to win 3-2.

It was the Dingwall club’s first victory over Rangers after 20 defeats and four draws in 24 previous meetings.

The result left the Light Blues four points behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand against Dundee on Wednesday night, while second-bottom County moved to within a point of 10th-placed St Johnstone as they go into the split.

Clement said: “We threw away the points today. We didn’t start well enough in the first half on the ball and in the duels.

“We had chances but we were not lethal with the chances we had in the first half, a few of which were clear ones.

“You come into half-time in a good way 1-0 ahead and I warned the players it was not good enough in the first half and I wanted to see more second half and keep the clean sheet, but then you concede two goals in five minutes or something like that and start to chase the game.

“That makes it more difficult and you give energy to the opponent who get more energy and put their bodies in front of the ball all over the pitch to make a decisive duel.

“In the last half hour, I saw the urgency and I wanted to see that 90 minutes long, not 30 minutes long.

“There were too many mistakes made in our defensive part which is not usual from our team.

“There were some strange goals to concede and we didn’t score enough with the opportunities we had.

“In the end we give a lot of energy to our opponent and all credit to Ross County who defended with a big heart until the end. We need to see the opposition team don’t get so much energy by being better with and without the ball.”

County boss Don Cowie believes his players “took real belief from what was happening on the pitch” to get a “big win.”

He said: “Even though we conceded the goal we had created a couple of really good chances.

“We weren’t clinical enough and didn’t take them. But you sense it as a player. You realise what’s happening. And they built from that.

“The message at half-time was that we had done really well and we were disappointed to be behind. It was about coming out fast and being positive and they certainly did that.

“At the end of the game it got a bit nervy and that is natural.

“They got the penalty. But I saw a group of players putting their bodies on the line to make sure we got the three points and that was very pleasing.”

Clement explained why he did not shake hands with Cowie immediately after the game – he waited until they met at post-match media duties.

The Gers boss said: “I went inside directly. I wanted to prepare really well what I had to say to the team. Nothing towards him, a lot of credit for him and what he has been doing here.”

Cowie said: “He apologised that he didn’t shake my hand, which I have got no problem with.

“It is a game that he probably expects to come up and win and he is in a pressured situation in terms of fighting for the league title. I had 10 minutes with him prior to the game and he was very respectful. No issues there with me.”

The Light Blues drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their play-off at Ibrox on Tuesday night with the crucial return game against the Dutch side in Eindhoven next Wednesday night.

However, Balogun, who returned for a second spell at the Ibrox club in the summer, insists all attention must be on the match against the Staggies, especially since the Govan side lost in their first league game of the season against Kilmarnock, which preceded a home victory over Livingston.

Asked if the performance against PSV was more like Rangers, the 35-year-old defender said: “You have to park that. We have to try to play to our best ability tomorrow.

“I think you saw a massive improvement against PSV, especially the second half.

“There’s bits to take from that game that we have to use going forward.

“But Ross County is always a tough game. They always make it difficult for teams and we know we will face a tough challenge there.

“Their start to the season has probably been a mixed bag but a strong performance against Celtic (2-4), so we definitely have to be ready and up for a fight before we think about wanting to play and force our game on to them.”

Reo Hatate, Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston were all on target as the Scottish champions hammered their visitors 4-0 at Celtic Park.

Celtic have won their league opener in 16 of the last 17 seasons, losing the other 2-1 away to Hearts in 2021, though Rodgers acknowledged this is just the start for the Hoops.

"I thought we were very connected, some of our passing and the speed of our game was very good," the Celtic manager told BBC Scotland.

"Defensively we were very strong, the first goal came from that counter press. I have to be so pleased for the first game of the season.

"Being at the top of the league at the end of the season is what's important but the first steps are critical and we made a really good step today."

Matt O'Riley continues to draw attention from Premier League clubs, as well as Serie A's Atalanta, as the Celtic midfielder's future remains uncertain.

The Denmark international assisted Scales' header in the first half against Kilmarnock, reminding potential suitors of his quality with transfer speculation continuing.

Rodgers is focused on adding to his Celtic squad, though, as he aims to build a side capable of competing in the Champions League and Scotland's top division.

"Currently our focus is very much the players that are here but naturally we want to improve the squad," Rodgers added.

"It's our duty to do that for the players and we'll speak about that. I will never say anything that I've not spoken to my bosses about.

"We want to take the club forward, we know the challenges that we have on every front and for that we want to improve the squad. Hopefully, we can get in the players that can help us kick on this season.

"I'd love to have more tools to have a go at the Champions League, that's one of our big goals this season. We want to get into the play-off phases and for that, we want to improve the squad."

Joe Shaughnessy found the net with the last touch of the game to win it for the visitors in the seventh minute of stoppage time in Dingwall after both sides missed a number of chances.

Adams, who saw his side lose at home for the first time since returning to the Staggies from Morecambe last month, bemoaned the quality of the product on show, saying it was far worse than the English fourth tier he had just left.

“The standard since I’ve come back to this country is shocking,” Adams said. “Today, if I’m a paying customer, I don’t come to watch this football match.

“The standard has got to be a lot better. The way we pass the ball, create chances – it has to be better – and that’s for both sides.

“Today I’ve seen some good play but over the afternoon I’m standing on the touchline thinking ‘what a job you have got on here’.

“I’ve left a club that is 100 times better and we had the lowest budget in League Two. I just see some of the things that happened and think ‘seriously?’

“It is so disappointing. I’m so annoyed, just at the way the (Scottish) game is.

“Even the opposition. You want someone to show up and produce some entertainment. I’m not seeing anything.

“I don’t see any entertainment. If this is the best we’ve got in the country, what are we going to do?”

Dundee manager Tony Docherty, meanwhile, felt his side were worthy winners despite leaving it so late to grab the winning goal.

“It was a fantastic result and I think a deserved one,” Docherty said.

“There was only one team in the second half and I think conditions played a huge part in the game.

“We would have taken the clean sheet but in the second half we had to really force the impetus.

“We have conceded a few late goals this season but I told the boys we could recover that and we did that today.

“It’s testament to the boys’ work ethic, mentality, the way they fight for each other, so I couldn’t be more pleased for them – and the fans, who were outstanding.

“There’s nothing better as a manager than seeing your players celebrating with your supporters.”

Stevie May scored either side of half-time, first with a curling effort and then from the penalty spot, to give the visitors a commanding lead in Dingwall.

But County came roaring back with Yan Dhanda netting a spot-kick, Jordan White breaking the offside trap to level things up and Jack Baldwin’s stunner at the death.

However, McGowan had the final say to claim a point that left County three above bottom-placed Dundee United and three below third-bottom Kilmarnock, who they face in their final game on Sunday.

The Staggies’ best chance early on came courtesy of St Johnstone’s goalkeeper, as Ross Sinclair punched the ball straight to White before recovering well to smother the shot.

It was the visitors who took the lead through May, whose shot beat Ross Laidlaw and found the far corner.

St Johnstone maintained the upper hand into the second half, where May turned and shot from 25 yards, forcing Laidlaw to tip the ball on to the bar.

Shortly afterwards he made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Nohan Kenneh had taken down Adam Montgomery.

That daylight between the sides did not last long though, as County went up the pitch and won a penalty of their own courtesy of a handball by Cameron Ballantyne.

Dhanda stepped up to take it and powered his spot-kick past Sinclair and into the top corner to cut the deficit in half.

That got the Staggies’ tails up and they began to pin St Johnstone deep into their own half as they tried to find an equaliser.

Eventually that pressure told as, in the 69th minute, Kenneh mis-hit a shot into the path of White who converted from close range and, after a VAR check for offside, the goal was allowed to stand.

In the 90th minute, an unlikely source popped up with what looked like a winner, with Baldwin smashing the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

However, St Johnstone fought back deep into five minutes of stoppage time and Andy Considine thought he had an equaliser when his header at a corner hit the bar, only for McGowan to follow up and find the net.

The 19-year-old attacker helped the Dons to a third-placed finish in the cinch Premiership last season and with that ultimately came a Europa League play-off spot which has a safety net.

Missing out in the play-off would see Barry Robson’s side drop into the Europa Conference League, with six group-stage games guaranteed, and Duncan is relishing the prospect of his first taste of European football.

He told REDTV: “European football is going to be great for everyone at the club.

“We’re going to face some top teams in Europe and, especially for people like me, it’s a great place to test yourself, on the European stage.

“I’m absolutely buzzing about it. I used to go to European games at Pittodrie when I was younger and there is a different buzz about the place.

“I’m really looking forward to being on the pitch this time.”

Duncan, who came through the youth ranks at Pittodrie, made 31 appearances last season and scored twice, once in the 5-0 cinch Premiership win over Livingston and the second in the 4-1 ViaPlay Cup win over Partick Thistle, both at Pittodrie.

Speaking from Aberdeen’s warm-weather training camp in Portugal, he said: “I will be looking to score more goals next season. There were a couple of times when I went close to adding to the two I scored.

“In the Ross County game, I was almost away celebrating – and I should also have scored in the Rangers game.

“I am still young and everything is new to me, but I maybe need to calm down a bit when I get into those areas.

“When I watched my clips back, I do well to get into those areas, but it is just that final product or final ball I need to work on.

“I watch back all the games and all the clips. I do get annoyed with myself if I have made a bad pass for example. It is those little details I need to work on and tidy up.

“After each game and watching them back, I would then do extra work in training on the things I have learned and areas I need to improve. It is the little things you need to work on if you want to become better.”

The Steelmen looked set for another damaging defeat after Bevis Mugabi turned the ball into his own net following a goalkeeping error from Liam Kelly, though they would salvage a point when Mika Beireth brilliantly headed home in stoppage time.

Motherwell are now 13 games without a league win, a run that has seen them drop to 10th in the table – with only goal difference separating them and St Johnstone.

“I don’t think about it if I’m being honest, it’s not something that goes through my mind,” Kettlewell said.

“I probably just felt that we at least got our just rewards for what the game was and everything that happened in the game.

“When the emotion is the way it is and the run that you are on just now, it certainly doesn’t stop the fact it makes our group feel a lot better and the environment inside this stadium becomes better.

“It’s not what we wanted We didn’t want to come and just pick up a point, we were avidly going for three – but I just felt our confidence takes another dip when we concede that silly goal.”

Having levelled in injury time, Well have now struck late over the last three Saturdays to earn a dramatic point.

Kettlewell feels it is a good demonstration of the fighting qualities within his squad and that they are continuing to fight to address the slump that has seen them fail to record a victory since September.

“Everybody is always looking for a story to write and that somebody’s body language wasn’t right, somebody wasn’t running in the game, or you see someone being petulant in among such a bad run that we find ourselves on,” he added.

“I would challenge anybody to tell me that they have seen that today and again that is probably epitomised by that injury-time goal – we are trying exceptionally hard to get results and turn it around.

“I believe they’ve got my back and I sure as heck know I’ve got theirs as well. I think more often than not, that’s the formula to get you out of a sticky patch.”

Craig Levein admitted he thought his St Johnstone team had done enough to record a priceless victory at Fir Park.

The former Hearts boss has made an excellent start to life at Saints, picking up 11 points from six matches, though they slipped into the relegation play-off spot after Saturday’s draw.

“Stuart’s team have done quite well late on in matches and we had spoken about that,” Levein said.

“I thought we had defended really well the whole game and for once I was sitting there relatively confident we could see it out – little do I know.

“I don’t know yet (if it was a good point), I’ll wake up during the night and think about that.”

Levein felt that failing to capitalise on a strong spell following their opener eventually proved to be costly for Saints.

Chris Kane missed a glorious chance and Graham Carey’s free-kick cannoned off the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.

“We played well in that period of the game and then Graham has hit a brilliant free-kick, an inch or two lower and that’s in as well,” he added.

“I think we needed to get to two but I’ve got to give credit to Motherwell for knuckling down and getting themselves back into the game.”

Scott Tanser volleyed home the only goal of the game 10 minutes after half-time and despite creating a number of good opportunities, the home side failed to find a leveller.

In suffering their first defeat of the season, the Steelmen slipped to third – one point behind St Mirren.

Motherwell began the game brightly and it took a good interception by Marcus Fraser to prevent Theo Bair’s cross reaching Callum Slattery inside the six-yard box.

St Mirren’s first chance fell to Conor McMenamin who should have done better when he was picked out by Mikael Mandron but his weak effort was easily gathered by Liam Kelly.

Blair Spittal worked St Mirren goalkeeper Zach Hemming with a free-kick and Slattery flashed a shot wide of the target as Motherwell continued to press for the opening goal, while at the other end McMenamin went close after seizing on some loose defending.

The hosts passed up a glorious opportunity to take the lead on the half-hour mark when Slattery’s superb defence splitting pass released Bair who dragged his low shot inches past a post.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson introduced Charles Dunne and Keanu Baccus at half-time in an attempt to breathe some life into what had been a subdued performance from his team, though it was Motherwell who continued to look the more likely.

Spittal forced Hemming into a good stop a minute after the restart and Harry Paton then had an effort from distance that drifted just wide.

The deadlock was broken against the run of play after 55 minutes when Tanser brilliantly volleyed home Ryan Strain’s cross.

Just two minutes later, it took an excellent stop from Kelly to keep out Mandron’s back-post header and prevent Saints from doubling their advantage.

Slattery’s free-kick brought out a great save from Hemming and Bevis Mugabi had a shot deflected past the post as Stuart Kettlewell’s side searched for a route back into the match.

Oli Shaw replaced Bair with 12 minutes left and he wasted a brilliant chance to level with his first touch after latching on to Paton’s pass.

In the final minute, Georgie Gent came agonisingly close to an equaliser when he crashed an effort that flew past Hemming and struck the underside of the crossbar.

Seven minutes of added time gave Motherwell hope of grabbing a late equaliser, though it would be the visitors that had the best opportunity when Toyosi Olusanya burst through on goal only to be denied by a last ditch tackle by Dan Casey.

The striker capitalised on some poor Killie marking to head Yan Dhanda’s dangerous cross past Will Dennis in the 53rd minute.

Kilmarnock thought they had equalised with five minutes remaining as defender Stuart Findlay headed home.

However, referee Kevin Clancy had already blown for a penalty – which Danny Armstrong then failed to convert.

Killie had enjoyed more of the ball, but struggled to create chances in a match which also saw referee Clancy reverse an earlier decision to award the visitors a penalty after a VAR intervention.

Aside from an early opening for Thomas Davies which was deflected wide, neither side was able to create anything clear-cut.

There was, though, a moment of drama in the 38th minute as Findlay tackled Murray in the penalty area and referee Clancy pointed straight to the spot.

However, it appeared the Kilmarnock defender had played the ball and VAR Greg Aitken called Clancy over to the pitchside monitor where he quickly reversed his decision.

Spurred on by their reprieve, Killie surged forward and Brad Lyons saw his flicked attempt parried away by County keeper Ross Laidlaw.

At the start of the second half, Matty Kennedy looked to inject some quality, picking up the ball and driving at the County defence before firing a left-footed shot just wide.

Ross County had offered little as an attacking threat, but they took the lead on 53 minutes.

Dhanda delivered a threatening free-kick from the right and Murray got free of a static home defence to head in at the near post from six yards.

Kilmarnock looked to respond, but they almost found themselves 2-0 down just after the hour mark as Jack Baldwin’s persistence created an opportunity for Jordan White, who could only side-foot over from eight yards out.

The home side introduced Andrew Dallas for his debut in the 66th minute and they bombarded the County box with crosses, but the ball just would not drop for them.

Kyle Magennis tested Laidlaw with a dipping shot from distance on 82 minutes before the late penalty drama.

Findlay appeared to have headed Killie level from Armstrong’s free-kick.

However, amidst confusion, the referee had already awarded a penalty to the hosts instead for a shirt pull on Lyons.

Kilmarnock were enraged – and their frustration was multiplied when Armstrong saw his poor penalty well saved by Laidlaw low to his right.

McMaster was looking back at Aberdeen’s European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph against Real Madrid ahead of the 40th anniversary of the final at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium on Thursday.

The midfielder had been drafted into the team at left-back following an injury to Stuart Kennedy and was close to the Dons dugout when John Hewitt headed an extra-time winner to give Aberdeen a 2-1 victory.

Speaking to Red TV, McMaster said: “Juanito was the wee winger, the tricky winger, and I was the left-back who was supposed to get exploited but you know something? Not one of us had a bad game. We played to our potential.

“I can remember the boss saying to us before we went out, the last thing he said was, ‘you want to come in, look yourself in the mirror and say you gave it your all’.

“And that’s what we did. Because we should have beaten them in the 90 minutes.

“When Johnny scored his goal, there was a bit of commotion in the dugout.

“I had a wee assist in the goal. I passed the ball to Peter Weir, who beat two men, so I’m taking that as an assist!

“Mark McGhee put in a ball with his left foot. Once he gets on to his left foot, he would fall over it, but he puts in this ball as if he’s been a left-footer all his life and Hewitt gets on the end of it. Bang.

“I looked over to see what was happening in the dugout. They are all getting out: Big Ben (Bryan Gunn), Andy Watson, Archie (Knox), Teddy (Scott) and the boss gets up and he falls over with his jacket, his Fergie jacket.

“He is in the puddle and everybody has jumped over the top of him. It was brilliant.

“See when you talk about it afterwards, what a laugh, but everything grows arms and legs.

“After that it was all about enjoying yourself. It was the best night of my life, honestly.

“We won the league and that was a major thing, but to win a European trophy against a wee team like Madrid, it’s not very often that happens.”

While the celebrations were going on, one man could not shake off the mistake that led to Real’s equaliser, although words of comfort from Ferguson helped him on his way.

With Aberdeen leading through Eric Black’s early opener, Alex McLeish had been short with a passback, having not followed his own advice of lifting passes off the sodden grass, and Juanito gave the Spaniards the lead from the spot after Jim Leighton brought down a forward as a consequence.

Ferguson had a go at his centre-back at half-time before assistant Knox broke up the argument and the Dons went out and deservedly claimed victory.

McLeish said: “At the end of the game he said, ‘listen, I’m really proud of you’.

“I was in the showers feeling sorry for myself. Everyone was getting ready and singing and drinking champagne and I was still thinking about my mistake.

“He came into the showers and said, ‘listen, I am really proud of you. A lot of players would have crumbled. I know you would have wanted to dig a hole for yourself in the first half after the pass’.

“It’s still in my head but, if it was meant to be for us to win the cup, then it was a good thing.”

Dara Costelloe struck first for Saints before the break to give them hope of a first league win of the campaign.

But a controversial spot-kick early in the second half allowed Livi to haul themselves back level.

Saints skipper Liam Gordon was then sent off late on following the intervention of VAR to heap more woes on the Perth hosts.

Livingston dominated possession in the first half but struggled in attack and it was the home side who enjoyed the majority of the opportunities in front of goal.

After just 12 minutes, a Max Kucheriavyi corner was returned to him on the left and his second delivery squeezed through a crowded box to Costelloe, who poked his shot wide from 16 yards out.

Livi responded with a Mo Sangare header and a Tom Parkes shot in quick succession from Kelly’s corner, but both were blocked by the resolute Saints defence.

It then all opened up for the hosts in the 20th minute when Graham Carey burrowed his way to the bye-line and picked out Luke Jephcott with his cutback. However, the striker’s goal-bound shot was blocked by strike partner Costelloe in a crowded six-yard box.

Jamie Brandon threatened at the other end for the visitors 10 minutes from the break after a slick attack, but the full-back’s shot was too straight to trouble Dimitar Mitov in the Saints goal.

Just a minute later, the home side surged in front. Saints seized possession in the heart of the pitch and Dan Phillips’ threaded through-ball picked out the run of Burnley loanee Costelloe who drilled in his first goal for the club from 25 yards.

Just four minutes later, Livi defender Ayo Obileye was relieved to see his sliced clearance of a Carey cross spin up and onto the roof of his own net.

With the visitors in desperate need of a foothold in the game, they were gifted a leveller 12 minutes into the second half.

Gordon caught Joel Nouble in a tangle of legs as the duo chased a long ball over the top and referee Graham Grainger pointed to the spot. A VAR check validated the official’s decision and Kelly sent Mitov the wrong way with a cool penalty.

The equaliser gave Livi a spring in their step and stunned a St Johnstone team already low on confidence.

Kelly almost turned provider in the 71st minute but his curling free-kick was headed wide of the far upright by Obileye. The visitors were presented another opportunity from a set-piece with 11 minutes remaining but Nouble’s glancing header was held by Mitov.

The home side’s hopes of finding a late winner slipped away when Gordon was dismissed in the 83rd minute after a lengthy VAR check for catching Nouble with his studs in a challenge.

But Livi could not take advantage of their extra man as time slipped away without a winner for the visitors.

St Johnstone put daylight between themselves and County near the foot of the cinch Premiership table thanks to a 35th-minute strike from Benjamin Kimpioka.

While the goal was a moment of quality, albeit capitalising on a missed interception from Will Nightingale, the visitors were under pressure for much of the game.

But being able to grind out a result away from home to pick up valuable points in the battle for survival was pleasing for Levein.

“It was always going to be a tough place to come, it’s never easy up here, so we needed to dig in and fight and run and chase,” he said.

“We had to do the ugly side of the game well.

“They had lots of crosses, but I felt we dealt with those fairly well and I wasn’t too stressed on the touchline.”

The goal was January signing Kimpioka’s first for the club since his arrival from Swedish side AIK.

“He has to be easier on himself, because he’s trying to come into a new club and hit the ground running.” said Levein.

“The goal wasn’t just about speed, there was calmness there as well.”

Levein added: “We went into the game without Dan (Phillips), Matty (Smith) and Liam (Gordon), who have been our most consistent players this season. I thought our centre-backs were brilliant.”

Derek Adams thought his Ross County side played well but admitted that counted for nothing when coming away empty-handed.

“I was pleased, but as a manager you need wins and results to make yourself happy,” he said.

“Tuesday night, we lose a last-minute goal which was hugely disappointing.

“We played so well away at Celtic and today we have created the best opportunities and failed to take them.

“It doesn’t matter, we didn’t win the game or have the quality to take our chances. St Johnstone have put one of two opportunities in the back of the net and we had numerous opportunities, but nobody cares, because you need to win.

“You can only sit and go through things with anyone, but nobody gives a jot.”

After Steven MacLean replaced Callum Davidson in April following six games without a win, the McDiarmid Park outfit lost only one of their final six cinch Premiership fixtures to finish the season in ninth place, well clear of the relegation zone, with Brown a key figure.

The 25-year-old defender told the club’s official website: “We have an honest group of lads and I really enjoyed the back end of last season.

“There are multiple people at Saints I have a lot of time for and it’s an environment I love being in every day.

“Consistently playing and the way that we finished the season strongly helped me make my mind up to stay at the club.

“I have good friends here and I enjoy working with such a great playing and coaching staff.

“I look forward to working hard and seeing what we can achieve this season.”

MacLean, who became St Johnstone manager on a permanent basis in May, signing a three-year contract, declared himself “delighted to get the deal done”.

He said: “I think he showed how good he can be when he played right-back for me in the last five games of the season. He came in and has done excellent.

“It is up to him now to kick on as I think there is more improvement in James, I think he knows that himself.

“I don’t want him to just be steady, I want him to be better and I want to help him get better.”

The Northern Irishman has been shortlisted alongside Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou, Dunfermline’s James McPake and Stirling Albion’s Darren Young.

Robinson has earned recognition for leading St Mirren into the top six in the cinch Premiership this term for the first time since the split came into play more than two decades ago.

Postecoglou appears to be the clear favourite for the gong after guiding Celtic to back-to-back top-flight titles. The Australian’s side are in contention for a domestic treble, while they are also on course to pass the 100-point mark and have already scored more than 100 league goals.

Robinson and Postecoglou are the only two Premiership bosses in the running for the accolade, with the other two contenders coming from the lower leagues.

McPake marked his first season in charge at East End Park by leading Dunfermline to the cinch League One title, finishing 14 points ahead of nearest rivals Falkirk and losing only one of their 36 league games.

Young steered Stirling to League Two title glory. The Binos finished 11 points clear of second-placed Dumbarton with a 19-game unbeaten run in the second half of the season underpinning their surge to automatic promotion.