RANGERS dug deep once again to overcome stuffy Aberdeen at Ibrox this afternoon, with Kemar Roofe’s instinctive finish nine minutes from time securing the three Scottish Premiership points for the Light Blues.
On the day Gers celebrated their 150th anniversary, an outstanding prematch tifo prepared by the Union Bears depicted some of the most famous moments in the club’s history as the teams took to the field.
Then, red, white and blue bibs on every seat in the Copland, Broomloan and Sandy Jardine Stands for supporters to wear provided a fantastic, colourful view throughout the match.
Manager Gio van Bronckhorst named three changes to his side - Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack and Fashion Jr came into the XI today in place of Leon Balogun, John Lundstram and Scott Arfield. That meant it was a back five of Allan McGregor in goal with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey and Barisic in front of him.
Jack came into midfield next to Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo, with Fashion Jr and Ryan Kent supporting Alfredo Morelos up top.
Gers began well, and good pressure around the Dons’ box ended with Morelos getting a decent effort away that slipped just wide.
Aribo then saw a shot from just a little further out also go wide in what were some very tentative opening minutes.
Joe Lewis made a great save from close-range when Kamara looked to pounce on a loose ball inside the area, but 0-0 is how it was to remain going into the break.
Gers looked to start the second half with a renewed sense of vigour, and Fashion Jr was unlucky with a header on the end of a Barisic cross, while Bassey was unfortunate to see an effort blocked when the ball dropped for him in the six-yard box from a wide Barisic free-kick.
Fashion Jr would then have looked to do better when Aribo nodded one down for him to strike from just inside the area, while Lewis gathered a low Jack effort from distance well. Sub Scott Arfield had an effort charged down when a Tavernier cross came his way, before finally, on 81 minutes, the opening goal arrived.
On the left, Glen Kamara provided the inspiration, brilliantly turning Funso Ojo inside-out to deliver a great ball into the area.
Rising to win the cross was Tavernier, and hoovering up at the back post was Kemar Roofe, who had come onto the field just minutes earlier.
It was brilliant, predatory instincts from Roofe, and Ibrox rose with a mixture of delight and relief at the team finally getting their break.
From there, the Light Blues saw the game out with real comfort, and can now look forward to the UEFA Europa League visit of Crvena Zvezda on Thursday night.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic (Balogun, 59), Jack (Lundstram, 78), Kamara, Aribo, Fashion Jr (Arfield, 59), Kent, Morelos (Roofe, 78).
SUBS: McLaughlin, Helander, Ramsey, Sands, Wright.
ABERDEEN: Lewis, McCrorie (Polvara, 85), Gallagher, Ramirez, Besuijen, Ojo, Hayes (Ramsay, 80), McLennan (MacKenzie, 68), Ferguson, Bates, Barron.
SUBS: Woods, McGeouch, Jenks, Ruth, Milne.
REFEREE: John Beaton
ATTENDANCE: 50,010
Rangers are delighted to unveil even more football stars who will come to Ibrox on March 26 to celebrate our 150th anniversary as part of the Weekend of Legends, presented by Unibet. World Legends team include names such as Luís Figo, Claude Makéléle, Iván Córdoba, Ricardo Carvalho, Predrag Mijatović, Gheorge Hagi and Roy Makaay. Alex McLeish will manage the Rangers Legends squad which features light blue heroes such as Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Paul Gascoigne, Sasa Papac, Michael Mols, Kris Boyd, Nikica Jelavić, Ronald De Boer, Alan Hutton, Carlos Cuellar, Pedro Mendez, Lee McCulloch and Jorg Albertz. Additionally, former treble winning Captain and Rangers Hall of Fame inductee Barry Ferguson will be the Rangers Legends Captain.
To mark this incredible occasion, the Rangers Legends squad will wear a specially designed Rangers Legends kit that carries the name of every Rangers captain to lead the club. In addition, the shirt features a traditional collar design reminiscent of some our most famous shirts and our commemorative 150th anniversary crest is proudly embroidered on the chest. This limited-edition shirt is available to pre-order now from The Rangers Store online.