Steven Gerrard's dreams of picking up silverware at Hampden have been put on hold for now after Rangers slipped to disappointing 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup Semi-Final.

The Light Blues had the bulk of the play throughout and had Aberdeen on the rack at times in the second half, with Daniel Candeias working hard to try and carve out an opening in particular.

But despite that pressure the team struggled to fashion clear cut chances and it was the Dons who got the vital breakthrough when Lewis Ferguson's header put Aberdeen in front with 12 minutes to go.

Umar Sadiq was then sent clean through and had a golden chance for an equaliser but as he attempted to go around Joe Lewis he went to ground, and was booked for diving when perhaps he would've been better served trying to score.

Gavin Berry ran the rule over the performers for the Ibrox side.

How they rated

Allan McGregor

Referee John Beaton has a word with Allan McGregor and Gary Mackay-Steven after a first half flashpoint

Good saves to deny Niall McGinn and Gary Mackay-Steven but naughty from keeper when he barged the latter after referee’s whistle. 6

James Tavernier

Skipper had shot beaten away in second half but failed to hit the target with free kick and deliveries were poor. 4

Connor Goldson

Solid at the back and won free kick in dangerous with run out of defence in second half. 6

Joe Worrall

James Wilson and Joe Worrall contest a high ball

Poor early pass that put Ovie Ejaria in trouble and then skied an effort well over after ball fell kindly to him. 5

Jon Flanagan

Struggled to cope with the pace of Dons winger Gary Mackay-Steven with Aberdeen’s best play down his flank. 5

Lassana Coulibaly

Lassana Coulibaly attempts to drive past Mikey Devlin

Hasn’t been as effective since returning from injury and should have hit the target with a chance from a corner in second half. 5

Ryan Jack

Went for goal but shot wide of the target when better option would have been to play in Daniel Candeias. Subbed. 6

Ovie Ejaria

Early booking after he was robbed by Scott Wright following poor Joe Worrall pass but found pockets of space at times. 6

Daniel Candeias

Caused Dons problems and was Gers best player but his final ball was extremely poor with a string of wasted crosses. Subbed after goal. 7

Ryan Kent

Looked like he had won a penalty on stroke of half-time after neat footwork to escape Graeme Shinnie but Dons skipper got slight touch. 6

Umar Sadiq

Umar Sadiq goes close with a header

Early header over the crossbar and knockdown set up Ryan Jack chance in Roma loan man’s first Gers start. 5

Subs Used:

Glenn Middleton

Was thrown on in double change after Dons took lead. 2

Scott Arfield

On for Ryan Jack but Gers fans would have preferred to see him sooner. 2

Subs not used: Foderingham, Katic, Halliday, Rossiter, Grezda.