On another big night for the squad heading into back-to-back league matches against the Dons, headed goals from corners from both Emmanuel Fernandez and Nico Raskin secured three points for the Gers as they made it four wins in a row before their trip to Pittodrie this weekend.
The head coach named two changes to his side that claimed the city bragging rights in their derby success just three days prior. Captain James Tavernier was restored to the lineup as well as midfielder Mohamed Diomande, after his impressive second-half cameo in the 3-1 away win.
Rangers targeted a positive start under the Ibrox lights to continue their momentum, and they almost made the dream start. After just four minutes, Nico Raskin was fouled in a wide area, the captain whipped in a delivery which goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov failed to hold, it dropped to Connor Barron inside the box, but the shot stopper responded to deny the midfielder a first goal in Rangers colours.
Röhl’s men started lively as they went in search of an early opener. Mikey Moore, fresh off his derby goal, was seeing plenty of the ball down the left as he looked to make things happen; his shot forced a corner, which the hosts profited from. Barron’s delivery from the left evaded everyone as Emmanuel Fernandez rose highest to head his side in front and give the Gers a perfect start on the night.
The away side, who hadn’t offered too much threat in the Rangers' half inside the first quarter of an hour, had a real chance to respond with their first attack. Nicky Devlin’s long ball from the full-back area evaded the Gers backline, with Kenan Bilalovic looking to get on the end of it. He looked to be homing in on goal with Jack Butland rushing out, but the midfield’s touch let him down as the goalkeeper was able to gather to the hosts’ relief.
Moments at both ends were at a premium, with the Gers probing and constantly looking to go in search of a second. After some clever play from Djeidi Gassama on the right to keep the ball, he acknowledged Moore, who moved inside. The Spurs loanee clipped the ball into the area with Youssef Chermiti rising highest, but Mitov was able to gather under pressure from the jumping Mohamed Diomande.
After Rangers were caught in possession inside their own half, somehow the visitors didn’t punish them to equalise. Raskin was loose with his pass inside his own half as Kevin Nisbet was able to profit, in a two vs one situation up against John Souttar, he rolled it across to Bilalovic to apply the finish, but for the second time on the night, he couldn’t get the ball under control as the chance went begging.
The captain looked to make the most of a wide free kick scenario as he went for goal himself, with Mitov having to be alert to tip it over as the Gers looked for a second in the minutes approaching half-time to give them daylight in the contest.
From the resulting corner, and for the second time on the night, the Gers made a set piece count. Barron, the provider once again, it was Raskin this time who made a run across the front, and his header beat the Aberdeen goalkeeper to double the Rangers' advantage minutes before the interval.
Rangers introduced Thelo Aasgaard for Moore at the break as they looked to further strengthen their position in the match after the restart. Aberdeen enjoyed moments inside the Gers' half without causing any real concern to the hosts’ backline. At the other end, Raskin had the first effort of the second period, but his shot from distance was comfortably gathered by Mitov.
After a quiet period in the game, Rangers went close to a third on the counterattack. Gassama collected the ball just inside his own half and played in Diomande. The midfielder opted against using Tavernier overlapping to his right and played in Aasgaard instead, but after working a shot onto his left foot, the Dons shot stopper denied the Norway international from extending the advantage.
Aberdeen went close to themselves as substitute Leighton Clarkson almost turned provider for Nisbet. Picking up the ball on the right side of the box, he clipped it into the area, which was met by the head of the striker. His effort was heading wide of the target, but Butland clawed it round the post to make sure by diverting any danger.
The home side still looked to pose a threat on occasion in a game they were firmly in control of. Some clever footwork on the edge of the box from Gassama set up sub Danilo to try his luck on his left side, but again the Aberdeen goalkeeper was level to it.
Well on their way to victory, Raskin almost made sure of the outcome, but for a smart stop from Mitov. Some incisive build-up play involving Tavernier and Barron saw the ball worked to the Belgian, whose effort looked to be arrowing into the top corner, but for a finger-tip save from the goalkeeper to deny him.
The hosts remained in control in the closing stages to see out the game and claim a fourth straight win in league action, as they now set their preparations for the reverse fixture at Pittodrie this Sunday afternoon.
RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar (Sterling, 58), Fernandez, Meghoma, Barron (Aarons, 87), Raskin, Diomande (Danilo, 69), Gassama, Moore (Aasgaard, 45), Chermiti (Miovski, 58)
SUBS: Kelly, Nsiala, Matondo, Dowell
ABERDEEN: Mitov, Devlin, Shinnie, Knoester, Polvara, Bilaovic (Lazetic, 62), Nesbit (Karlsson, 73), Armstrong (Keskinen, 87), Milne, Kjartansson (Clarkson, 62) , Gyamfi (Jensen, 73)
SUBS: Suman, Nilsen, Milanovic, Lobban