Rampant Rangers run McInnes’s Dons ragged
RANGERS put their long-running managerial saga to one side as they claimed a surprisingly one-sided 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox.
Five weeks on from axing Pedro Caixinha they found themselves still without a boss facing up to the team managed by the leading contender for the job.
But while Derek McInnes insists he is happy to remain at Pittodrie, he will be furious with the way his side opened up as James Tavernier struck twice either side of Carlos Pena’s goal.
“Any goals will do,” relieved interim boss Graeme Murty said.
“We’ve played in games like that and haven’t managed to get the goals. I think you saw the confidence running through the team — that’s what goals do for you.
“This is the benchmark. The RANGERS: Foderingham, Tavernier, Alves, Wilson, John, McCrorie, Jack, Holt, Peña (Candieas 68), Windass (Hardie 89), Miller (Herrera 83).
Subs not used:
Alnwick.
ABERDEEN: Lewis, Logan, Arnason (Stewart 78), McKenna, Considine, Tansey (Mackay-Steven 43, Rooney 83) , O’Connor, Shinnie, Christie, May, McLean.
Sent off: Christie
Subs not used: Reynolds, Maynard, Ball, Rogers.
Man of the match: Tavernier
Match rating: 7/10
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Hodson, Kranjcar, Bates,
players know what they’re capable of, I know too. I see the level they’re capable of performing at — that’s the only thing that will satisfy our fans.”
Victory sees Gers move up to
Spot on: James Tavernier (right) celebrates after converting a penalty to give Rangers the lead
third, just three points behind the Dons — who had Ryan Christie sent off late on, a second yellow card for a foul on Ross McCrorie.
It will also help take some of the heat out of today’s AGM, where chairman Dave King will be expected to explain to angry shareholders why a replacement for Caixinha has still not been found so long after the Portuguese manager’s sacking.
Bruno Alves and Pena had not been seen in a Gers kit for a month but both were back in Murty’s line-up, while Ryan Jack started against his old side.
And it was clear from the first 30 seconds the hosts were out to repay their fans after back-toback defeats to Hamilton and Dundee as Josh Windass came within a whisker of turning home a low Tavernier cross.
But their ravenous hunger was fed seven minutes later with the penalty opener.
Greg Tansey should have sent the ball into orbit when it dropped on top of him inside the box, but instead his clumsy swing clattered into Jason Holt and referee Andrew Dallas immediately pointed to the spot.
Tavernier stepped up and slot-
ted the ball down the middle to the massive delight of the home support.
They were off their feet again on 27 minutes when Kenny Miller and Tavernier combined on halfway before releasing Holt down the right. The midfielder did brilliantly to pick out Pena, who calmly swept home his fifth goal in 10 games.
While the first half had been a thrill-a-minute affair, the second period was a slow burner.
But the Rangers faithful enjoyed it all the same as Tavernier stroked home the clincher with 20 minutes left.