Naderi breaks Aberdeen’s resistance as Rangers reach Premier Sports Cup final

Ryan Naderi’s late goal earned Rangers a 1-0 win against Aberdeen in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden Park Ryan 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. Aberdeen survived relentless pressure at times but in the 83rd minute, Naderi redirected a strike from James Penrice into the net for his eight goal of the season to seal a 1-0 win at Hampden Park.

Rangers – who will face the winners of Sunday’s other semi-final between Hearts and Hibernian in the final – went into the game unbeaten in 10 and firm favourites. With five Aberdeen defenders missing through suspension or injury – Lewis Mayo, Mats Knoester, Dan Happe, Kristers Tobers and Chris Cadden – there was an element of makeshift about their lineup, with a first start of the season for Nicky Devlin. Derek McInnes, the Rangers manager who won the trophy with Aberdeen in 2014, raised eyebrows by dropping midfielder Dan Neil, with left-back Tuur Rommens starting and Penrice moving into midfield, and Badredine Bouanani starting in