Rangers showed “domination with and without the ball”, says manager Phillipe Clement, to reduce Celtic’s lead in the Scottish Premiership to 13 points and extend Aberdeen’s wretched winless run to 12 matches.
Hamza Igamane, an increasingly talismanic figure, delivered the vital moment once again with a composed finish for the opener and his 13th Rangers goal after a fast start by the hosts.
The striker, who earlier dinked inches past when clean through on goal, made no mistake after Sivert Heltne Nilsen needlessly gave the ball away in his own box.
Substitute Leon Balogun headed in a late back-post second from Clinton Nsiala’s deep cross, having earlier hit an upright, and fellow replacement Cyriel Dessers guided in an even later third to seal the win.
“We played really well, with everybody working hard for the team,” Clement said.
“You see more people start to understand things and we’re collectively better. We kept pushing, as I demand, to score more and kill the belief of the o
pponent.”There was, again, some disquiet at Ibrox during the 55th minute as a minority of fans displayed banners, the general theme of which was ‘Time for Change’.
However, there was no walkout protest, as occurred during the win over St Johnstone on Sunday.
There were missed chances, though. Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan denied Danilo and Igamane with fine saves, while Nedim Bajrami, Robin Propper and Vaclav Cerny all spurned opportunities.
Ragged Aberdeen struggled to get a grip of the game.
That said, from nowhere, Leighton Clarkson came within inches of beating Liam Kelly from the halfway line and Kevin Nisbet failed to connect from Graeme Shinnie’s teasing delivery.
The Pittodrie side, who earlier in the campaign enjoyed a nine-point lead over the Ibrox club, are now 12 adrift of Philippe Clement’s men. An astonishing turnaround.Home comfort eases Rangers to another win
It was imperative to narrow that gap to Celtic after they dropped points on Tuesday. Anything else would have been intolerable to the Rangers fans.
Their side started fast and got the reward, but that vital second, then third goal, just wouldn’t arrive until very late on.
Rangers’ home record continues to impress, though. As does Igamane, whose goal return over the past few months as been an almighty posit
ive.
