Summary

  • Listen to post-match reaction on Sportsound

  • Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston - Shinnie hits post before Guthrie strikes at other end; Miovski heads leveller then has goal disallowed before converting Duk cutback after interval

  • Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone - Roofe off injured for Dessers, who stabs in Tavernier cross; Jaiyesimi red-carded via VAR review for lunge on Lundstram then Tavernier adds late penalty

  1. Cheeriopublished at 22:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    That'll do us for tonight, troops. Thanks for joining.

    Remember, you'll be able to watch the best of the action on Sportscene in about 15 minutes on BBC One Scotland.

    You'll also get more reaction, analysis and be able to give your views on your club's dedicated page.

    I'm biased, I know, but it's well worth subscribing to your team:

  2. Lundstram injury 'doesn't look good at first sight'published at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

    Rangers manager Philippe Clement tells BBC Sportsound: "In the end it was a clear, clear dominant game where we had the ball all the time also 11 against 11.

    "It's not easy to break a defence of so many players in such a small space close to their goal, to break it open. We did two times and several times more but there was also a good goalkeeper.

    "Three points, clean sheet, deserved victory."

    On John Lundstram's injury, Clement said: "At first sight it doesn't look good so I hope I can recover him before the winter break".

    And, on Kemar Roofe, who went off in the first half, Clement added: "He's very disappointed because he was coming back in a good way. It's disappointing he felt something again. We're going to look at that in depth tomorrow."

    Rangers manager Philippe ClementImage source, SNS
  3. 'Aberdeen showed good resilience to come back'published at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston

    Aberdeen manager Barry Robson tells BBC Sportsound: "We had a big emotional game at the weekend, we grew into this one and got stronger.

    "We showed good resilience to come back, I never felt under too much pressure. I didn't think Livi created too much.

    "We've got some good games coming up. We just need to concentrate on them and get ourselves up the table.

    "It's another win, we knew this would be a difficult month, we just need to keep hanging in there and fighting."

    Barry RobsonImage source, SNS
  4. 'Class' Miovski the difference, says Martindalepublished at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston

    Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland: "The top end of the park was the difference tonight, if I'm being brutally honest.

    "We've got to get better for the two goals, we give Miovski too much room in the box. But I've got to caveat that with he's one of the best strikers in the league. I think he's class.

    "We created some good chances tonight, we got behind them on a number of occasions. Wee Brucey has the best chance of the game. He's clean through and doesn't hit the target.

    "Really that's the story of the game."

  5. Levein praises players for 'digging in'published at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

    St Johnstone manager Craig Levein tells BBC Sportsound: "With us being reduced to 10 men for over an hour, to come away from here only losing two goals, the players deserve a lot of credit for that, for the work that they put in.

    "In spells we did try and pass the ball. [The red card for Diallang Jaiyesimi] made it extremely difficult for the players out there.

    "We were very competitive and all credit to the players for digging in and helping each other out and working so hard.

    "Great effort from the guys tonight. It would've been so easy for them to crumble. They stood up and they were counted. It's an important time coming up."

    On transfers, Levein added that "some of the things are almost done, some of the things are halfway there".

    St Johnstone manager Craig LeveinImage source, SNS
  6. Postpublished at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    James Tavernier has now scored nine league goals this season, no player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

    'He's a right-back' klaxon.

  7. Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Aberdeen have now won seven points from losing positions in the Scottish Premiership this season.

    Only Motherwell on eight have recovered more.

  8. Sportscene to comepublished at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    You'll be able to watch the best of the action on a midweek Sportscene later.

    BBC One Scotland is the channel you need for that at 22:40 GMT.

  9. As they standpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Table

    There it is, the updated table.

    Rangers are hot on the heels of Celtic. With a game in hand, they are just two points off top.

    That Old Firm derby in a couple of weeks...

    At the bottom, things are still looking pretty bleak for Livingston despite a decent performance at Pittodrie as Aberdeen jump above St Johnstone into eighth.

  10. Your Wednesday winnerspublished at 21:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    DessersImage source, SNS
    Miovski scoresImage source, SNS
    Tavernier scoresImage source, SNS
    Miovski scoresImage source, SNS
    DessersImage source, SNS
    Aberdeen celebrateImage source, SNS
  11. 'Robson's Aberdeen show fighting qualities again'published at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston

    Tyrone Smith
    BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

    This wasn’t the prettiest of games, but Aberdeen won’t care about that as they dug deep - like they did against Heats recently - to fight back from a goal down.

    That will be one of the big takeaways for Barry Robson, his side might not be performing to the level he would like in the league but they certainly have shown plenty of character in the last couple of Premiership games.

    When Duk and Bojan Miovski combine, like they did from time to time tonight, they are a handful for anyone.

    As for Livingston, there was a lot to like about their performance tonight. They were organised and dogged, qualities that will get you so far.

    But it is capitalising on the big moments that wins you games - Bruce Anderson’s failure to convert when he was in on goal is a case in point.

    That perhaps sums up life at the bottom of the table, but it is something that is going to have to change if David Martindale’s side are to get themselves out of trouble.

  12. 'Next 10 days pivotal for Rangers'published at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Scotland at Ibrox

    As far as victories go, this was incredibly comfortable for a Rangers side who dominated from the opening whistle.

    The sending off early on in the game gave the home side a huge advantage and forced Saints into becoming even more defensively minded.

    Rangers certainly have a momentum and more importantly a belief about them going forward, and despite squandering countless opportunities, they never looked at any point concerned about the outcome of the game.

    The gap at the top with Celtic is down to two points and the next 10 days will be pivotal before the clubs enter the winter break.

    St Johnstone’s season will not be determined on the outcome of this game and they have shown in recent weeks they have somewhat turned the corner under Craig Levein.

  13. FULL-TIME Rangers 2-0 St Johnstonepublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Hard fought and a bit laboured at times, but Rangers get over the line with the three points to move to within two of leaders Celtic, who have played a game more.

    Cyriel Dessers with the opener and James Tavernier getting the second from the penalty spot.

    James Tavernier celebrates after scoring for Rangers against St JohnstoneImage source, SNS
  14. Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    A late free-kick for St Johnstone to pull one back...

    Nope.

  15. FULL-TIME Aberdeen 2-1 Livingstonpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Aberdeen fight back from a goal down to earn a big three points at Pittodrie.

    Nine games without a win for Livi, eight of them have been defeats.

    Aberdeen celebrateImage source, SNS
  16. Postpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Deep into injury time at Pittodrie.

  17. GREAT SAVE!published at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston

    Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George has just pulled out one of the saves of the season.

    Bojan Miovski stabbed the ball on target from a few yards out and is denied by a stunning reaction stop.

    That would've been a hat-trick for the Dons striker.

  18. Postpublished at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

    Final Rangers change.

    Leon King makes a rare appearance off the bench and James Tavernier gets a standing ovation after his 15th goal of the season.

  19. goal

    GOAL Rangers 2-0 St Johnstonepublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    James Tavernier (pen)

    Game over.

    Rangers are going to within two points of Celtic.

    Rangers goalImage source, BBC Sport
  20. PENALTY to Rangers!published at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2023

    Rangers 1-0 St Johnstone

    Cyriel Dessers is released through on goal before being tripped by Dimitar Mitov.

    Stonewall penalty.