MURTY HAS MEASURE OF DONS ONCE MORE
Ibrox boss boosts his prospects
HOW Graeme Murty must relish the very sight of Aberdeen’s red jerseys. A third successive win over Derek McInnes has set down a marker for the remainder of a campaign on which his employment prospects hinge.
In November and December, the victories came against a man seemingly destined for Ibrox. McInnes said no, of course, but the narrative of this latest encounter became about far more than the 46-year-old’s first visit to Govan since that rejection. In truth, his presence barely stirred any ire at all from the stands. There was too much jubilation.
More significant was the evidence of Murty moving the Ibrox side in the right direction as he aims to convince he is worth a longer stay. They are now above Aberdeen, occupying second place on goal difference, and appear strengthened by January additions to a squad not short on injuries. Another is expected to follow today when Greg Docherty completes a £680,000 move from Hamilton.
This was a well-merited outcome on the balance of play, even if Wes Foderingham performed a sequence of minor miracles to preserve his clean sheet in the closing stages.
By that stage, McInnes must have known the game was up. This was another sore evening for him. His team failed to function effectively when the contest was alive, leaving it too late to truly threaten.
Alfredo Morelos had put Rangers ahead in the first half and could have had a hat-trick. He was guilty of one eye-popping second-half miss, but tormented Aberdeen’s defence during a 70-minute shift.
James Tavernier secured victory with a second-half penalty after Joe Lewis had toppled Josh Windass — and was injured in the process. Murty will hope this can be the start of greater consistency at Ibrox in the second half of the season.
While all the pre-match attention had been on McInnes, it was the Rangers manager who had more to ponder in terms of selection. There was no sign of Danny Wilson in his squad. Previously a regular under Murty, the 26-year-old — out of contract in the summer — could now exit this month after being targeted by clubs in the MLS.
That absence removed any doubt about Russell Martin making his debut in central defence after his loan move from Norwich. With Sean Goss and Jamie Murphy also included, three-quarters of Rangers’ January business to date was on show from the start.
The infusion of new blood aided an energetic and enterprising first-half display from the hosts.
With 12 minutes gone, Murphy’s corner was held up by Martin, who rolled the ball into the path of Windass. His low shot took a deflection before striking a post and being grasped by Lewis.
Pitched in between Daniel Candeias and Murphy, Windass was part of an attacking midfield trio consistently locating pockets of space from which to threaten.
When Jason Holt found Candeias in room on the right, it should have led to the opener. The Portuguese winger finely tailored his cross toward the far post, yet Morelos couldn’t convert with his head.
However, the striker would get his bearings in the 32nd minute.
When a Candeias delivery was punched out by Lewis, the exBenfica player gathered again and fed Tavernier overlapping on the right. His first-time delivery was exquisite. Bypassing Lewis and the Dons backline, it left Morelos with a straightforward task to nod in.
Three minutes before Morelos struck, Kenny McLean — now a Norwich player on loan at Pittodrie — had broken through before finding Gary MackaySteven making inroads from the left. He got plenty of power behind his angled drive but Foderingham blocked with his legs.
McLean had the first sight of a potential equaliser. Again, his strong running from deep caused Rangers an issue. The attempted finish was straight at the keeper.
The home side finished the half in the ascendancy, as a tantalising Candeias free-kick from the right was nicked just wide by Tavernier.
McInnes needed to summon a reaction. Getting a grip on Morelos would have been a start, but the Colombian remained an irritant.
Four minutes after the restart, Declan John picked him out with his back to goal. Spinning away from his marker and shooting in one motion, Morelos was only denied a second goal by the terrific reactions of Lewis.
Anthony O’Connor was yellowcarded when he bundled Morelos after being outfoxed by his movement and squat power. The Ibrox striker looked worthy of another strike. Instead, his next contribution was one to forget.
Martin’s long, raking pass stopped just in time for John to whip in a first-time cross that Lewis clawed at in mid-air. The ball dropped for Morelos, unmarked at the far post, but he screwed a wasteful effort into the side-netting.
It was his last major contribution. With 20 minutes remaining, Jason Cummings was introduced in his place to complete the full set of Rangers’ January signings.
Cummings would dearly have loved a chance to hit the penalty that sealed the points.
When Windass was taken out by Lewis, the Dons keeper was hurt by more than the spot-kick concession. He required several minutes of treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and replaced by Danny Rogers. The newcomer’s first act was to pick the ball out of the net after Tavernier sent him the wrong way.