Rangers bounced back from an injury nightmare to seal a huge 4-1 Premiership win against Aberdeen.
The Light Blues were dealt with another injury blow after bright spark Ridvan Yilmaz limped off after 10 minutes. The Ibrox crowds frustration then reached boiling point when Aberdeen struck first after a moment of madness saw the entire Rangers defence freeze, before Connor Barron lashed home. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men showed character as they fought back with Antonio Colak netting another before John Lundstram fired the home side in front seconds before half time after a Ben Davies cut back.
Into the second half, a James Tavernier inspired display saw the home side dominate. The captain was back to his best with a strong attacking display. The captain scored his side’s third with a header at the back post. He almost killed off the game but missed a penalty awarded after a VAR decision. Rangers continued to push on as the home side looked hungry for more goals and Alfredo Morelos got one late on.
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Overall it was a far better display from Van Bronckhorst’s men who produced a strong performance in front of their home fans. Here is three things we learned as they closed the gap to one point.
Play to the whistle
Rangers conceded first in the league for the second week in a row. A weaving run by Aberdeen’s Duk had the defence in a panic, with Leon King and Tavernier struggling to snatch the ball back. Eventually a tackle from Davies came in on the attacker who went down under a challenge.
What happened next was a moment of madness as the entire Rangers defence stood still. It was almost as if they forgot where they were as Colson reacted to smash the ball into the net.
It was a nightmare start for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and perhaps one of the strangest goals against his side yet. Questions have been aimed at his side after recent defensive lapses. That seemed to be case here as more pressure mounted on the Ibrox club.
Summer signing curse
Halloween might only be a few days away but Rangers are being haunted by injuries to their summer recruits.
Yilmaz limped off after just 10 minutes and Ben Davies was subbed at half time spelling more injury woe for the centre back potentially.
Both are huge blows if both are crocked and you get the feeling that there is an injury curse circulating summer signings with Tom Lawrence and John Souttar also on an ever concerning injury list.
Captain’s response
A lot of questions have been asked of Tavernier of late.
The captain has looked unrecognisable in recent weeks with concerns being raised he is carrying an injury.
But today the Englishman burst into life. His runs forward and attacking display was back to the levels which saw him top the Europa League goal charts last season.
That positivity seemed to rub off on his team mates with Rangers flooding forward in the second half.
His shot created the chaos for Lundstram to fire Rangers in front, and his headed goal after half time gave the home side some breathing space.
A typical display was nearly rounded off when he had the chance to put Rangers 4-1 up with a penalty, but the captain struck the post. All in all a far better display from the captain.
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