Goals from substitute Kyle Lafferty and Nikica Jelavic on 57 and 67 minutes respectively gave the Light Blues a dramatic win but the result is likely to be overshadowed by a knee injury picked up by Steven Naismith in the first half.
The Scotland star flew in to a challenge with Robert Milsom and appeared to twist his knee in the process.
He tried to play on but with 60 seconds collapsed to the turf unchallenged and had to be stretchered off.
It looked a bad one and it took the shine off what was another memorable victory on the road for the Champions who have now won 14 consecutive SPL games on the road.
Despite the injury to Naismith and a late goal from Richard Foster on 81 minutes the travelling Bears were clearly in the mood to enjoy a Halloween party of their own and were in great spirits as they watched their side pick three more valuable points.
McCoist shuffled his pack for the early kick off with Lafferty making way for the return of Jelavic.
And Mo Edu started on the right wing with Naismith joining Steven Davis and Lee McCulloch in the middle.
It was clear that Naisy had been given the task of supporting Jelavic at every given opportunity but after just a minute of play it was Aberdeen that had the first attempt on goal, former Fulham playmaker Milson pulling his 20 yard effort wide of Allan McGregor’s goal.
The home side were clearly fired up, as they usually are for this fixture, but Kari Arnason showed a bit too much enthusiasm with a late challenge on Gers captain Steven Davis and received the first yellow card of the game.
The Icelandic internationalist then tried his luck with an audacious 40 yard drive which dipped and swerved before being palmed away nervously by McGregor who dived to his left.
On 16 minutes Naismith then threw himself in to the challenge with Milsom that would end his game and could keep the industrious midfielder out for some time although this has yet to be confirmed.
When the play resumed a heavy downpour made conditions even more difficult for both teams who also had to cope with the wind swirling around the stadium.
But back to the football and on 29 minutes Rangers should have taken the lead.
Lafferty took up a good position wide in front of the travelling bears and his wicked delivery found its way through to Papac at the back post but he could only head wide after the ball had skimmed off the slippery surface.
At the other end Aberdeen enjoyed a good period of pressure which resulted in former Ibrox full back Foster playing Chris Clark down the left channel but his shot from a tight angle was brilliantly blocked by McGregor.
The loose ball then fell at the feet of Mackie who felt his ankles were clipped by Goian as he was about to shoot but Collum waved away his pleas. Brown clearly felt it was the wrong decision and was quick to let the official know his feelings.
Edu was next to go in to referee’s notepad for a clumsy foul on Arnason which halted a counter attack and this effectively summed up the first half.
Tackles were flying in and plenty of graft was being shown but aside from the chances for Papac and Clark the quality in the last third had been disappointing with Jelavic and Lafferty having to drop deeper and deeper to get involved for the visitors.
With three minutes of injury time played there were further injury concerns for McCoist when Goian fell awkwardly from a late challenge and as the ref blew for half time whistle he hobbled across the pitch, clearly in a bit of discomfort.
The Romanian did, however, make it back out and Rangers started the second period positively, keeping the Dons in their own half early own as they looked to break the deadlock.
On 51 minutes a delightful cross from Whittaker caused almost found its way through to Jelavic but the home side’s keeper David Gonzalez clattered in to the Croatian and knocked the ball away.
It arrived at the feet of McCulloch but he could only sky his effort in to the stands albeit he was under pressure.
You had a feeling that the Light Blues were gradually taking control of proceedings and a tackle by Clark on Edu 35 yards out meant that Lafferty was able to place the ball down and his rasping shot got over the wall but was well held by the on loan Manchester City goalie.
But on 57 minutes the Ulsterman made no mistake when he finished with aplomb.
Davis received the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and he picked out his countryman with a neat pass.
Lafferty did the rest with a drilled shot which flew low across Gonzalez before nestling in the corner of the net.
It was a great strike from big Kyle and it was not dissimilar from the goal he netted at Fir Park earlier in the 2011/12 campaign.
It was now Rangers’ game to lose now and on 67 minutes they doubled their advantage.
Davis again was the architect with a great ball down the right flank to Jelavic who slid in a deep cross to Papac who was brought down by Mackie as he was about to let fly.
It was Jela that stepped up and he calmly placed the ball in to the net with deadly accuracy and composure.
The game looked done and dusted but with just nine minutes remaining an error by McGregor allowed a Foster shot from distance to slip in to the net and this set up a nervy finish to a second half Rangers had dominated.
In the end Aberdeen couldn’t bag a second and there was further disappointment for the home support when Rory Fallon was shown a straight red for a poor tackle on Goian.
At the final whistle the Rangers fans celebrated an excellent win for their side although there was also a bit of relief following the late goal conceded.
Man of the Match: Lee Wallace – Left back worked hard throughout the 90 minutes and pushed forward with intent at every given opportunity.