Rangers head above Celtic and into uncharted territory as Aberdeen goaded by Ibrox legend

The rescheduled fixture was the first time Rangers and Aberdeen had faced each other this season. The bad news for Aberdeen is that they play each other again on Sunday. although of course it does give caretaker Peter Leven's side a quick opportunity to redeem themselves, providing the game goes ahead.

The tradition of Aberdeen losing at Ibrox is almost as well established as the Loving Cup ceremony, which is conducted by Rangers at the first home game of a new year. This was the Pittodrie side’s seventh defeat in their last eight visits but there were some glimpses of hope on a night when we were reminded that, despite Pittodrie officials being invited to sip from the Loving Cup, a custom dating back almost 90 years, there is no love lost between the clubs.

Rangers legend John Brown followed Derek Johnstone’s cue as a half-time guest unprepared to follow any decorum guidelines. “What a way to start the new year after Saturday, to be 2-0 up against that lot over there, fantastic!” he bellowed into the microphone while pointing towards the away fans having been asked to conduct the Union Jackpot draw. Rangers started where they left off at the weekend against Celtic. Aberdeen, sadly for them, carried on in the same vein as their last outing against Falkirk.

That defeat ultimately cost Jimmy Thelin his job although there was a lot more to it, including just 12 league wins in 47 matches before last night. The new year has already brought two losses in succession and if chairman Dave Cormack thought it was as simple as installing a safe pair of hands in Leven, he will need to think again. This was only the caretaker's third defeat in 13 games over three spells.

The frustration will be that Aberdeen enjoyed some bright moments in the opening half. They certainly carved out some very clear chances having settled themselves following the loss of a very straightforward opener after 11 minutes.

It was a source of extra annoyance for the away fans that the architect was former Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron, whose corner saw Fernandez rise highest to nod in. The Rangers defender, who has now scored five times this season, was helped by Dimitar Mitov failing to get anywhere near the ball. The goalkeeper complained about a trip but the goal stood. As did the next one four minutes before half time, bulleted in by heading specialist Raskin from, yes, another Barron corner and with Mitov again looking slightly suspect.

Aberdeen had their chances at Ibrox

It wasn’t what the Aberdeen fans, many of whom had battled through 12ft snowdrifts to get to Govan, had travelled so far to see. It might have been worse. Barron or ex-Aberdeen favourite Bojan Miovski, who came on in the second half to replace two-goal Old Firm hero Youssef Chermiti, could have scored. Barron came close within the opening four minutes after Mitov dropped a cross at his feet.

In between the two first-half goals, the visitors managed to create some decent openings. It ought to give them some heart ahead of the weekend while reminding Rangers supporters that although life is currently very good following a fourth successive league win, which lifts them to second above Celtic, the highest they have been this season, there is still a vulnerability about the Ibrox side. A very simple through ball from Dante Polvara split the home rearguard and suddenly Kenan Bilalovic, the 20-year-old Swede, was running in on Jack Butland, with just the ‘keeper to beat.

One poor touch, however, saw the ball bobble away from him and the chance was gone. He rifled the dead ball into the Copland Stand in frustration, much to the understandable displeasure of those sitting in the vicinity.

Just before the half hour mark, Bilalovic spurned another opportunity although he was badly served by Kevin Nesbit, whose pass across goal was too strong and hit slightly behind his fellow forward. The youngster failed to take the ball in. Another opportunity gone.

As well as scoring two goals of their own, Rangers passed up several chances too. Aberdeen were finding it hard to deal with set-pieces. As so often, Raskin was proving a particular menace, heading over from a James Tavernier free-kick shortly before half time. The little Belgian midfielder might have notched a hat-trick. He saw another effort curl past the far post late in the second half.