There have been indifferent results for both Rangers and Aberdeen so far this season and the two teams entered this clash desperate for all three points.
Alex McLeish had the luxury of naming an unchanged outfield side, from the team that drew 2-2 with Bratislava on Tuesday, but he was forced into an early substitution when Brahim Hemdani picked up a knock.
The former Marseille skipper lasted just 26 minutes although Rangers had created plenty of chances within those opening stages to take the lead.
Steven Thompson merited his place in the starting line-up having scored in the previous two matches and thought he had grabbed his third of the week after just 13 minutes.
The Scotland international collected a knock-down on the edge of the Dons box before hitting a sweet half volley, only for a deflection to put it past the post for a corner.
Immediately before this move Scott Severin had tried his luck from an Aberdeen flag-kick but his shot curled past Klos’ goal.
Dado Prso scored four the last time he played on his birthday but would no doubt have been satisfied with just one goal today and it nearly came after quarter of an hour.
David Preece fumbled his catch from Ricken’s corner and Prso was quick to latch on to Julien Rodriguez’s header for an over-head shot but blasted over.
From resultant goal kick Klos then got his first taste of the action and it was like he’d never been away, when he rushed off his line to collect Stevie Crawford’s through-ball at the feet of Jamie Smith.
Although the match wasn’t played at a particularly high tempo, it was still end-to-end action and Thompson was well-placed for another shot in the 16th minute after Prso laid the ball into his path.
Preece held well that time but was beaten six minutes later and it was Russell Anderson who saved his side from conceding a certain goal.
Julien Rodriguez’s header from Ricksen’s corner had the keeper beaten but the Dons captain was on the line to nod clear.
Thompson, Lovenkrands and Ricksen all tried efforts on goal before the interval but once again Gers just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Chris Burke was introduced at the break in place of Lovenkrands, who had the flu and took up his place on the left wing.
Last week against Inverness Caley Thistle Alex McLeish’s side produced a far better second half performance and the early signs were the same procedure would follow today.
Within the opening 60 seconds of the restart Thompson did brilliantly to find Ferguson breaking forward.
The skipper then laid the ball off to Prso on the penalty spot but the Croatian opted to shoot when Chris Burke was the better option totally unmarked at the back post.
Two minutes later Olivier Bernard had a right-footed drive deflected for a corner, before Ricksen’s shot from the edge of the box strayed wide.
The former Newcastle defender was heavily involved again with 20 minutes remaining when he delivered an excellent cross for Ricksen to meet at the back-post. No one could collect the Dutchman’s knock-down.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos burst orward two minutes later but was unfairly stopped in his tracks by left-back Chris Clark.
Burke took the free kick and in a move that worked so well against Bratislava, the Greek defender rose at the back post for Prso to collect.
This time though it didn’t result in a goal as Preece was alert to push the ball wide for a corner.
With the clock ticking and the home support growing ever-restless Burkey won a flag-kick in 83 minutes and Bernard should have done better when his free header went high over the bar.
Thompson latched on to Prso’s flick three minutes later but his volley also flew wide.
RANGERS: 1 Klos; 20 Hutton (Jeffers 70), 16 Rodriguez, 14 Kyrgiakos, 3 Bernard; 2 Ricksen, 6 Ferguson, 7 Hemdani (Murray 26), 26 Lovenkrands (Burke 46); 19 Thompson, 9 Prso
SUBS: Waterreus, Andrews, Namouchi, McCormack
BOOKINGS: Hutton 55
ABERDEEN: 1 Esson; 11 Clark, 4 Anderson, 5 Diamond,17 Byrne; 6 Severin, 14 Dempsy (Foster 81), 8 Nicholson, 18 Muirhead, 7 Smith (Mackie 68), 23 Crawford
SUBS: Langfield, Winter, Considine, Baas
BOOKINGS: Bryne 6
REFEREE: Stuart Dougal
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Sotirios Kyrgiakos