Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen: Player ratings + talking points as new set-piece coach serves up masterclass to down Dons
How we rated the Rangers players in their 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over Aberdeen at Ibrox tonight
Rangers cruised into second spot in the Scottish Premiership table and moved within three points of leaders Hearts after strolling to 2-0 win against abysmal Aberdeen at Ibrox.
The managerless Dons proved no match for Danny Rohl’s side as they eased to a fourth league win on the bounce courtesy of two set-piece goals from Emmanuel Fernandez and Nicolas Raskin in the first-half.
In what is fast developing into an intriguing title race, the Govan outfit are carrying all the momentum at present as they managed to build on Saturday’s impressive comeback win over city rivals Celtic by producing another dominant display.
Rohl made two changes from Saturday’s Old Firm winning side for this re-arranged league fixture which had been pushed back from its original date in early November, with skipper James Tavernier and Mohamed Diomande replacing Dujon Sterling - who was charged with driving offences following a one-vehicle collision in the early hours of Sunday - and Thelo Aasgaard.
The Light Blues have been going about their business quietly and effectively under the German boss in recent months while other clubs in Scotland have dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A victory against the managerless Dons presented the Premiership’s most in-form team with an opportunity to move clear of reigning champions Celtic into second place outright.
In what was the first meeting between these two teams this season, Rangers were quick out of the traps in their quest to make it four league wins in a row for the first time since February with Rohl emphasising the importance of building on Saturday’s derby success pre-match.
Visiting goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov almost gifted the hosts an early opener when he dropped the ball from a free-kick straight into the path of Connor Barron, but the Bulgarian international recovered in the nick of time to block the midfielder’s shot.
It was a let-off for the Dons but it didn’t take long for Rangers to break the deadlock. With only 12 minutes on the clock, Connor Barron’s lofted corner from the left was met by Emmanuel Fernandez in a crowded penalty area and the imposing centre-back planted a header into the net for what was his fifth goal of the campaign. Once again, Mitov looked suspect after drifting off his line and getting caught in no-man’s land.
Aberdeen looked for a quickfire response and Kenan Bilalovic passed up a glorious chance to level the match when he raced onto a long ball over the top of the Gers backline before taking a woeful first touch and allowing the ball to trundle into the grateful arms of Jack Butland.
Bilalovic then spurned another opportunity to register a shot on target when he found himself in acres of room in the box after being picked out by Kevin Nisbet, but the Swedish attacker failed to control the pass with the goal seemingly at his mercy.
The error-strewn visitors were presenting the home side with several chances to profit as half-time approached. Moments after Tavernier’s dipping effort from a free-kick was tipped over the crossbar by Mitov, midfielder Nico Raskin’s stole a march on his marker at the front post from another Barron corner before steering a trademark header into the net.
Even at such an early stage, it was difficult to see a route back into the contest for Aberdeen. They looked like a side going through the motions. In contrast, Rangers were flexing their muscles and oozing confidence.
Rohl, who has lost just once in the league since his appointment in October, introduced Aasgaard at the start of the second half for Mikey Moore.
The arrival of ex-Dons fan favourite Bojan Miovski just before the hour mark was met with loud cheers from three quarters of the stadium and a smattering of boos from the away end, while Dujon Sterling was brought on with Chermiti and Souttar making way.
It remained one-way traffic as the half wore on with Tavernier letting fly from distance which flashed high and wide of the target and Barron blazing a ferocious shot narrowly over the top from 18 yards out.
Rangers had looked open at the back on occasions and Dante Polvara headed wide at the back post from a corner when he should’ve hit the target. That just about summed up the visitors night as they failed to seriously test Butland.
Djeidi Gassama then flashed a dipping effort inches wide as Rangers continued to press for a third. Raskin thought he had his second goal of the night with a crisply struck effort from 20 yards that looked destined to end up in the bottom corner only for Mitov to produce a terrific diving save.
While the second half proved somewhat of a damp squib, maximum points were already in safe keeping. Next up for Rangers, a trip to Pittodrie on Sunday to round off their double-header against the men from the North East.
Here, GlasgowWorld breaks down three main talking points and how the players fared:
New Rangers set-piece coach earns plaudits
The difference in Rangers’ threat from set-pieces is stark since the club appointed Scott Fry from EFL League One side Lincoln City. The Englishman has worked wonders in the short time he has been in Glasgow and he will rightly earn plenty of plaudits for this win.
Rangers didn’t create a huge amount of chances from open play, but they were clinical from corners here and that proved decisive. Barron’s delivery on both occasions was right on the money and the manner in which Fernandez and Raskin attacked the ball and planted headers on target was equally impressive.
Brilliant Barron shines against former club
By far the best player on the pitch, the man who spent three years in the Aberdeen youth academy was imperious again and is fast developing into a key player under Rohl.
Barron ran the show with a passing accuracy of 98 per cent in addition to grabbing both assists. He has made himself one of the first names on the team sheet and appears to be thriving under the German’s management.
Rohl maintains Ibrox feel-food factor
Rangers just keep churning our the victories when teams around them have slipped up. No team has taken more points in the league than Rangers since Rohl took over from previous head coach Russell Martin.
He has proved himself to be tactically astute and comfortable making adjustments in-game that make a difference. And his players seem to buying into his ideas.
Rangers player ratings vs Aberdeen
GK - Jack Butland (6/10)
RCB - John Souttar (7/10)
LCB - Emmanuel Fernandez (7/10)
CM - Connor Barron (9/10)
CM - Nicolas Raskin (8/10)
CAM - Mohamed Diomande (6/10)
RW- Mikey Moore (6/10)
LW - Djeidi Gassama (6/10)
CF - Youssef Chermiti (7/10)