The genesis of the simmering resentment that exists between Aberdeen and Rangers – an enmity described by the latter’s manager Mark Warburton as being “quite sad” – is lost in the mists of time

multiply it by 10. When the midfielder next played in ‘The Eternal Derby’ he had flares hurled in his direction. One missed him by a matter of inches.

The 31-year-old received dog’s abuse from Aberdeen fans just a few feet away from him as he jogged down the touchline. He just raised an eyebrow and flashed them a wide grin as if to say: ‘Is that all you’ve got?’

Rangers fell behind to a Jonny Hayes goal in the first minute of the second half but, much to the delight of their followers, clawed their way back into the game and levelled when Andy Halliday netted a well-taken penalty. The less said about the chant which greeted the equaliser the better. Suffice to say, the Pope and the IRA got a mention.

But that joy was short-lived. Maddison’s winner, scored after James Tavernier had been yellowcarded for a perfectly legitimate tackle on Hayes, was badly received. A seat cover was ripped out and hurled through the air.

It emerged during the game that the Rangers team bus had been vandalised outside the squad’s Aberdeen hotel and graffiti about the Ibrox disaster and Ian Durrant scratched into its paintwork. Police are investigating.

There have been far worse incidents at Aberdeen matches against Rangers at Pittodrie over the years. Indeed, in 2002 there was a pitch invasion, the teams were led off the pitch, the match was delayed for 17 minutes and riot police were deployed after Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters was struck by a coin thrown from the stands.

But that is not to forgive many of the things which happened before, during and after this much-hyped meeting. Perhaps Warburton has a point.