Derek McInnes Post Match Press Conference

“The game is won and lost in both boxes.

“I thought penalty box to penalty box we were the better team. I thought we really got after Rangers and pressed high. We were competitive and strong in tackles. We were fully committed in what we wanted to do. I thought we stopped a good team, a team who like to pass and move the ball and test your organisation, I thought we really frustrated them.

“So, we did that side of the game really well and that really pleased me. But we said to the players at half time that we needed to carry more of a threat in the final third ourselves. I felt when we got into good areas we rushed the final pass. I thought we had more opportunities to apply pressure with the ball, rather than just without the ball.

“I thought Rangers scored when we were having our best spell.

“I thought we started the second half on the front foot. I thought we passed and moved the ball well and got into good areas but should still be doing more with it. Jayden is obviously the chance we all remember, I think it was a minute or two before the first goal. It was a good stand up from Jonny and Jayden would normally eat that type of service up but he misses. It happens. Unfortunately for us it was very pivotal.

“Rangers then get a break, it was a deflection that comes off the cross. It was not a great cross but it comes off someone’s chest I think and Kenny Miller is alive (to the situation) and takes the half chance. From then on in it helped Rangers, the crowd got into it and they had something to hang onto. We still had opportunities at 1-0 and got into some good areas but again set plays and in open play we should be doing more.

“We then lose a poor goal from our point of view but even then, I never thought we were out of the game. I thought we could still get at them. We score from a set play in the final seconds.

“I thought we were wasteful in certain areas.

“I thought in comparison to last week the result was really harsh on my players. I thought we played some good stuff. We were really aggressive with our work, we were really committed and I don’t think there is a lot between the two teams. I think Rangers just edged it on the result, but I thought it was harsh on my team today, as it was on Rangers at Pittodrie when we maybe got the rub of the green.

“I have not seen Ryan’s sending off. I just went up the tunnel and I have not spoken to the officials. He has clearly seen something. I have no complaints about his first yellow but I cannot comment on the second one as I have not seen it.

“It was a tasty game but I thought the referee did a good job in keeping a lid on it. There was plenty going on but I don’t think it boiled over. Sometimes you get frustrated with some incidents more than others but it was not our day and I am not going to be to bitter about any decisions. We lost the game and need to get on with it.

“We are here to win games so it has not been the best week. But today was far better. I would rather see my team playing in that manner. They were aggressive, brave and committed. Yes, we lacked a bit of quality in the final third. Yes, we needed to show more instinctiveness to score goals but I thought we dominated a lot of the game and frustrated a good Rangers team today.

“We gave it a right go and I thought we unnerved them.

“We still want more from the players and hopefully we can show that over the next little while.

“So, there were more positives (than Sunday) but the result was disappointing.

“We now have three homes games in a row. It is a long time since we have been at Pittodrie so we will look forward to getting back there on Tuesday night.”