Sunday May 20 2007 18:22
Aberdeen secured third place in the SPL following a 2-0 win over Rangers and with it a place in next season's UEFA Cup at the expense of Hearts.
Scott Severin and Steve Lovell scored the goals that kept the Dons ahead in the race for Europe - and in the end rendered Hearts' 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock purely academic.
Aberdeen knew victory would be enough to guarantee them a place in Europe and they set about Rangers at Pittodrie with real intent.
In an absorbing match, they blew Walter Smith's side away with two tremendous first-half goals.
Skipper Russell Anderson should have wrapped up the points with two late chances, but in the end manager Jimmy Calderwood was left delighted by their qualification.
"It was a great performance and we did it on our own," he told the club's official website.
"We've let the fans down in the cup competitions this season but we have bounced back
"We've done so much work with so many great people and a lot of credit to the lads for keeping it together today.
"They got what they deserved, and proved they're winners."
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