WOUNDED hero Kris Boyd secured a vital win for Rangers after Jean-Claude Darcheville grabbed his first goal of the season to send them on their way.
It had been a tough contest but two second half goal got the job done to keep Rangers on Celtic’s tails.
Darcheville had not scored since last season’s 3-0 win at Love Street but he stabbed the ball into the net in 47 minutes.
Then Boyd, struggling with an injury, headed in the second goal in 67 minutes and the game was effectively over.
Aberdeen were aggressive from the outset as they played at a really high tempo which did not allow the Rangers midfield to take control of the game.
They moved the ball swiftly and with purpose and that stopped Rangers from dictating the proceedings.
In saying that, Rangers had more chances in that first period but failed to take them.
Kris Boyd was presented with a half chance in the opening minute when Pedro Mendes took a pass from Barry Ferguson and flicked it into the path of the Rangers striker.
However, he fired high over the bar with his left foot trying to get his shot away before Zander Diamond got back to make a challenge.
In 10 minutes the Rangers fans were screaming for a penalty when Darcheville’s ball into the box struck Andrew Considine’s boot, bounced up and hit his arm but Craig Thomson was having none of it.
A terrific Mendes pass in 27 minutes caught Aberdeen on their heels, releasing Kyle Lafferty in the right channel and suddenly there was real promise for Rangers.
Lafferty played in Boyd on the edge of the box and he hit his shot first time but missed the target.
Ferguson headed wide in 30 minutes when he connected with Darcheville’s cross but it was proving to be a tough afternoon for Rangers.
Indeed only tremendous saves from both keepers in the final moments of the half kept the game goal-less.
The ever industrious Sone Aluko got away from Broadfoot in 44 minutes and whipped a cross over from the left. Derek Young took a touch and tried to measure a right foot shot for the right corner but McGregor made a terrific save, diving to his left.
Then in first half injury time opposite number Jamie Langfield made an equally good block from his own player.
Adam whipped in a free kick which came off the head of Lee Mair and Langfield had to claw the ball over the bar.
There was more purpose about Rangers in the early moments of the second half and Darcheville should have given them the lead two minutes in – although he did look offside.
Mendes did really well to win the ball outside the box, played it short to Boyd who rolled Darcheville in but his left foot shot was smothered by Langfield.
However, the former Bordeaux man was celebrating four minutes later when he scored for the first time since May.
It was a scrappy goal but Rangers could not have cared less. Ferguson won a corner on the right when his cross hit Considine. Adam whipped the ball over, Broadfoot stabbed at it them Boyd had a go before Darcheville forced it over the line.
In fairness, Mendes had to save Rangers in 66 minutes when he headed the ball off the line when Diamond beat McGregor with a header following Young’s corner from the right.
A minute later the game was effectively over when Boyd, clearly struggling with an injury, showed great instincts to head home inside a packed box.
Again the danger came from an Adam corner. Lafferty seemed to miss the ball at the near post and as it bounced up Boyd powered a header into the net.
It was his last involvement of the match as Beasley replaced him, but what an involvement.
Rangers were now in a comfortable position and might have added to their lead but Lafferty had a low shot saved and sub Nacho Novo pulled a right foot shot wide.