Rangers move into second place in Premiership with 2-0 win over Aberdeen

Rangers have moved past Celtic into second place in the Premiership after a 2-0 win over Aberdeen that closed the gap to just three points behind league leaders Hearts.

Emmanuel Fernandez opened the scoring from a corner after just 11 minutes, and Nico Raskin’s header made it 2-0 just before the break.

Rangers kicked off hoping to build on Saturday’s Old Firm win at Celtic Park and record a fourth successive Premiership win. Aberdeen were beginning life after Jimmy Thelin following the Swede’s sacking and had interim manager Peter Leven in the dugout.

The hosts had a good chance early on when Connor Barron had a shot blocked after Aberdeen goalkeeper Dmitar Mitov failed to hold a James Tavernier free kick but the home crowd didn’t have to wait long to see their side make the breakthrough.

Fernandez found space in the box at a corner to power in a header for his fifth goal of the season.

Aberdeen looked lively in response but spurned a good chance when Kenan Bilalovic ran through on goal but was let down by a heavy second touch, and soon after the attacker failed to control a well-judged ball from Kevin Nisbet that would have given him another one-on-one opportunity.

A long-range dipping shot from Tavernier forced Mitov into action and Rangers went two goals ahead from another set piece. Barron was the provider and Nico Raskin was unmarked as he bulleted a header into the back of the net.

The hosts looked set-up to go and add to the scoreline after the break but Aberdeen’s Nisbet had the first big opportunity when he headed wide form a Dante Polvara cross.

As the game wore on, chances were scarce but Raskin had a powerful effort saved and Dons substitute Leighton Clarkson forced Fernandez to block a goal-bound effort.

Rangers held on to their lead though, and took all three points as they moved clear of their rivals and moved closer to the top of the table.