A goal in each half from Thero Asgord and a penalty from James Tavernier gave Rangers a 2-0 win at Aberdeen as Danny Rolle’s in-form side won their fifth successive game to close the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothian to three points.
The pressure was on for the visitors after Hearts secured a narrow 1-0 win at Dundee earlier in the day to move them to six points with the game in their favor.
However, despite traveling to Pittodrie, where they have struggled for years, Rangers put in a superb performance that initially quieted the home fans, but then their quality shone through in driving rain.
The important first goal came midway through the first half, when the unmarked Asgort scored with a deft short corner shot from Jaden Meghoma’s ball from the right.
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James Tavanier scores his 99th league goal for Rangers with his penalty against Aberdeen!
And the visitors would have reached a two-goal lead at half-time had video assistant referee John Beaton not asked referee David Dickinson to go to the pitchside monitor after Emmanuel Fernandes appeared to head a high free-kick into the area past Dons keeper Dimitar Mitov.
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Rangers’ Emmanuel Fernandes’ canceled goal was ruled out following a VAR review against Aberdeen.
However, although the referees ruled that Fernandes had fouled Mitov with his elbow, that controversial decision had no effect on the result, with Aberdeen captain Graham Shinnie being adjudged to have caught Jaydee Gassama in the box with 16 minutes left, giving Rangers a deserved victory.
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Rangers took the lead in Aberdeen with a goal from Thero Asgord.
The referee immediately pointed out the spot and Tavernier remained calm despite Mitov diving in the right direction, converting the spot-kick into the bottom left corner for the club’s 99th goal and keeping them in this intriguing three-way title race.
The win was their 11th in their last 14 games and saw Rangers overtake Celtic in third place on goal difference, despite having played more games than their arch-rivals.
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Nicholas Raskin sprayed Aberdeen fans with water after Rangers’ 2-0 win at Pittodrie on Sunday.
However, the hard-won victory was slightly spoiled when Nicholas Raskin sprayed the home fans with water before heading down the tunnel at full-time, prompting the club to seek comment.
“Big, big win for the Rangers”
Chris Sutton of Sky Sports:
“Rangers blew away Aberdeen today, it was very comfortable.
“Danny Rolle has done a great job but we will need reinforcements in January. This is a big, big three points for Rangers.”
Thero Asgaard celebrates giving Rangers a first-half lead against Aberdeen
On Fernandes’ canceled goal:
“If I were Fernandes, I would be absolutely furious that the goal was canceled.
“Mitov was weak. Fernandes’ eyes were on the ball and he used his arm for leverage.
“Mitov’s timing is up to him. I think the goal should have been given.”
What the managers said…
Rangers manager Danny Rohr:
“It’s a huge honor for my group to come to a really tough place. We showed a different face again, and that’s what we need.”
“We played good men’s soccer and were ready for duels and second balls.
“We understood when to play behind and we knew how to keep the ball in the right area.
“The results were fun, of course it’s great to see.
“Of course we scored at the right moment, from my point of view, and in the second half we missed some chances to make it 2-0 or 3-0, but in the end we (won) 2-0.
“We were really focused right up until the end and what we did with five wins in a row is amazing.
“Now we have to rest a bit, play a serious Scottish Cup game (against Annan) and then go again.”
Aberdeen first team coach Peter Leven:
“Yes, this is not enough, especially for a club of this size and for what we want to achieve this season.
“We were able to find some good points, but overall it wasn’t good enough.
“But again, there’s a limit to what I can do, so they need to step up as well.”
Tavernier: “A really mature performance”
Rangers captain James Tavanier told Sky Sports:
“It was a very good win. We didn’t make any excuses before the game and we knew the conditions were going to be bad, but I felt it was a really mature performance from the players.
James Tavanier doubles Rangers’ lead at Aberdeen from the penalty spot
“We have to continue to show more ways to score goals.
“We’re delivering performance and we just want to keep moving forward.”
Sutton: There has to be some kind of punishment or players will just keep doing it.
Nico Ruskin had a word with Aberdeen fans as they headed to the tunnel at full-time, with Ruskin spraying water at the supporters.
Here’s what Sky Sports experts have to say:
Chris Boyd:
“He probably regrets it now, but if you’re a footballer you escape the ridicule of the fans.
“We just need to go home. We won the game, we got the three points, it’s a difficult venue and we just need to get back on track.”
Chris Sutton:
“Vaclav Cerny did it last year too. I don’t think he was punished for it, but you can’t treat Rangers players differently than other players.
“In any case, this is a powder keg of equipment, and this is what we need most.
“Continuously spraying water on the fan is a no-no.
“There’s going to have to be some kind of punishment, otherwise the players will just keep going.”
