Rangers moved to second place in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 win over coachless Aberdeen.
The Dons had been hoping for a comeback following the departure of Jimmy Sellin, but the game at Ibrox was very one-sided as Gers built on their Old Firm win to surpass Celtic and move to within three points of leaders Hearts.
Aberdeen were turned around with two set pieces. Manny Fernandes headed home a corner from Conor Barron, and Nico Ruskin repeated his pre-break routine.
Rangers surpass Celtic in the Premiership for the first time in 500 days
Kenan Vilalović should have done better, giving the visitors two chances early on. Instead, they suffered three consecutive losses without scoring.
Aberdeen sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel told Sky Sports there was no need to rush into finding a permanent successor for Thelin, despite the Pittodrie side sitting eighth in the Premiership.
Rangers enhanced title qualification
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Emmanuel Fernandes, Rangers vs Aberdeen 1-0
Spirits were high at Ibrox after a 3-1 come-from-behind victory at Celtic Park, effectively ending Hoops manager Wilfried Nancy’s tenure after just 33 days, but it has been a shaky start for the visitors, who are without a win in five games.
Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov dropped a long free-kick from Gers captain James Tavernier, but managed to block a shot from former Pittodrie midfielder Barron, who was waiting for the ball.
Mitov didn’t look too smart when a great Barons corner from the left flew into a packed six-yard box, but he found himself on the floor as Fernandes easily scored the first goal.
As a warning to the cheerful home side, Vilalović broke through the Ibrox defense and headed for a long ball, but his second touch was poor and the ball went to Jack Butland.
Govan conceded another goal in the 27th minute, with Bilalović unable to control a pass from Kevin Nisbet on the counter-attack, leaving Butland alone to beat them, which would prove costly.
Mitov tipped Tavernier’s deflected shot over the bar in the 39th minute, but the home side kept up the pressure and Raskin, free from defender Nicky Devlin, headed home his second from a Barron corner, and then another header just before half-time to close the gap.
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Nicholas Raskin doubles Rangers’ lead
Rangers had a few chances early in the second half, but in the 63rd minute Butland saved a Nisbet header and his corner kick was headed in by Aberdeen’s Dante Polvara.
Govan’s side moved the ball around the pitch with confidence at times, but the fans were hoping for a third goal and in the 78th minute Ruskin drove in from 20 yards, but Mitov pushed it aside for a corner, but this time it was in vain, while Aberdeen could have pulled a goal back a few times in the closing stages, but Fernandes denied substitute Leighton Clarkson in added time.
The joy of role set pieces
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Rangers manager Danny Rolle reflected on his side’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers manager Danny Rolle told Sky Sports.
“I think we deserved the win. We played really good football in some parts of the game, but in other parts we gave up the ball too easily. The last 10-15 minutes were a little empty, so you could tell we came from a busy schedule.”
“That’s normal. I’m proud of my group. This is our fourth straight win.
Regarding scoring from set plays:
“Very important. Scott (Fry, set-piece coach) is doing a great job. That’s why he’s here. We made a good choice.”
“He’s not just a topic and a good person, he’s also a good person. He’s a good addition to my coaching team.”
“I’m very happy because the players did a good job, which is especially necessary in a close game like this. At the weekend we scored three goals from transition moments and today after set-pieces.”
“Maybe next time it’ll be both.”
“I saw the teams fighting.”
Peter Leven appointed as Aberdeen caretaker manager following Jimmy Sellin’s sacking
Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven said on Sky Sports:
“It’s really disappointing to concede the goal, but I looked at the team we were playing. They were coming forward. They pressed well. We had some clear chances to score.”
“In the end, what we needed was a little bit of composure. It was the right choice in decision-making. I said well done to the players, but I want to come here and win. That’s the standard we’ve set.”
“You saw today (that they had enough belief to win). We had clearer chances than Rangers. They’re a good team, but it’s disappointing to concede in the way we did.”
Boyd: ‘Rangers have a long way to go’
Rangers have won their last four Premiership games.
Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd was watching the game at Ibrox.
“Rangers are winning games and deserve a lot of credit for that because of where they come from, but I’m not sitting here obsessed with it.
“Hearts are still top of the league with a three-point lead.Celtic completely beat Rangers for 45 minutes on Saturday.”
“There has been a change there so you would expect Celtic to pick up their game.
“Rangers are dragging themselves into this title race and Danny Rolle knows they still have a long way to go.
“His teams are winning games and scoring goals. I don’t really think they’re crushing teams, but set-pieces are key.”
