Chris Sutton slams Findlay Curtis footage on Sky Sports in Rangers 2-2 v Aberdeen
Rangers clawed back a point in a dramatic draw against Aberdeen, but there was plenty to criticise about the performance.
Barry Ferguson made several changes as Rangers travelled to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen, knowing that a defeat would confirm Celtic as champions.
Findlay Curtis was one of the players to rotate in, with the youngster playing as a left wing-back, but he endured a tough afternoon.
Rangers found themselves a man down after Ross McCausland’s red card, and went into the interval 2-0 down after goals from Leighton Clarkson and Pape Habib Gueye.
Substitute Ianis Hagi rescued a draw in the dying seconds, which Rangers will hope will give them a boost ahead of their European commitments, but there were a lot of poor performers against Aberdeen.
Curtis criticised for role in Aberdeen goal v Rangers
Aberdeen’s second goal against Rangers came as Shayden Morris demolished Curtis on the left side, and Chris Sutton has now highlighted the youngster’s role in the goal.
“It’s poor defending from Curtis. He should bring Morris down or certainly back off, but take nothing away from Morris there,” Sutton stated on Sky Sports Football (2:11 pm, 13 April).
| Stats | Curtis |
| Pass accuracy | 85% |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Fouls committed | 0 |
| Ground duels won | 5/11 (45%) |
Curtis was making his first ever Scottish Premiership start, but while he had some impressive moments going forward, it was a goal to forget for the teenager.
The 18-year-old was twisted inside and out by Morris, who then crossed in for Gueye to finish, and a more experienced defender may have been able to prevent the goal.
Ferguson shows faith in Rangers youngsters
With the Europa League quarter-final second leg clash at Athletic Bilbao coming up, the trip to Aberdeen was low down the priority list for Rangers, and Ferguson made changes accordingly.
Ferguson was not afraid to select Curtis despite his age, and even though he was beaten for the goal, playing away in such a hostile environment would have been a good learning experience for him.
With nothing to play for between now and the end of the season in the Premiership, there will be more opportunities for some of Rangers’ best youngsters to gain some invaluable experience at senior level, if Ferguson continues to show faith in them.
Curtis will remember the afternoon fondly after helping rescue an unlikely point with a towering header for Hamza Igamane to score.
He will have his fingers crossed for more.