Rangers rise above vicious Bojan Miovski Aberdeen abuse and stormy conditions as objects rain down

Despite managerless Aberdeen's poor form and the fact they defeated the Dons at Ibrox on Tuesday night, trips to the north-east are rarely straightforward given the hatred among the locals. Throw in the frankly filthy conditions as wind and freezing rain battered the region and the ingredients were there for a slip-up.

Danny Rohl's Rangers are not blown off course that easily any more. This was a mature performance to move back into second place in the Premiership and within three points of leaders Hearts, albeit having played a game more.

The vicious elements came from the stands as well as the skies. The home fans, already peeved by the underachieving nature of this season, were stoked up by the return of their former darling Bojan Miovski, who moved to Rangers from Girona during the summer. The North Macedonian was named as a sub and was treated to a pre-match banner of "You never come back to Pittodrie in a R****** shirt, I have my morals", a nod to a quote made by Eoin Jess many years ago when he left the club.

It got more vitriolic for Miovski. With a snood drawn over most of his head, he was barracked by many Aberdeen fans when he emerged for his warm-up. Drinks were thrown at him. Some of the supporter behaviour was deplorable regardless of the emotion. He quickly retreated back to the dugout. Songs rang out from the Merkland Stand wishing for broken legs and far worse.

Pre-match skirmishes between fans on the streets led to a tempestuous atmosphere. Rangers, however, benefitted from a lack of fight on the pitch from an insipid Aberdeen team that is coasting alarmingly towards a bottom-six finish. Whoever they appoint as a new boss after Jimmy Thelin's exit needs to lift spirits quickly.

Rangers were dominant for most of the match. Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande ran the midfield to mean that the absence of injured Connor Barron wasn't felt too much. Another former Don, goodness knows how Pittodrie would have dealt with his presence as well as Miovski's ...

Rangers cruise it at Aberdeen

The goals came via Thelo Aasgaard and a penalty from James Tavernier. And much like at Ibrox during the week, Rangers did not need to hit top gear.

Both teams had sniffs at goal before Aasgaard's opener. Dimitar Mitov did well to claw away a Diomande volley, while at the other end, Rangers keeper Jack Butland repelled a skidding low drive from Leighton Clarkson.

Rangers had started better though and they punished Aberdeen on 23 minutes.

Their two goals in the midweek victory over the Dons at Ibrox came from set-pieces and they made it a hat-trick. Tavernier fed a corner to Jayden Meghoma and the left-back's cross was side-footed home on the volley by Aasgaard.

The Rangers players celebrated in front of the Red Shed to further infuriate the home fans. More objects rained down from the stands - with one appearing to strike Emmanuel Fernandez.

The big centre-half so nearly got his revenge on 28 minutes. He challenged Mitov for a long Tavernier free-kick into the Aberdeen penalty box and beat the keeper to it, his header looping into the unguarded net. Cue more celebrations - but the goal was eventually ruled out following a VAR check for a foul on Mitov. The infringement was minimal.

Mitov has looked susceptible of late. The keeper was nearly floored by a Tavernier raker that he shovelled over his bar. At the other end, Nicky Devlin shot straight at Butland. Rangers merited their one-goal advantage at the break.

Raskin spurned a gilt-edged chance on 52 minutes when, unmarked in the six-yard box, he sent a header wide. Then Djeidi Gassama saw a dangerous shot blocked by a fine sliding challenge from Mats Knoester.

Youssef Chermiti was next to have a go, but his shot from close in was well stopped by a sprawling Mitov on 66 minutes.

Rangers were given a better chance on 72 minutes when Graeme Shinnie tripped Gassama as he drove into the penalty box. Referee David Dickinson immediately pointed to the spot and Tavernier found the bottom corner with an excellent conversion.

Rangers coasted the remainder of the match. Rohl trolled the hosts when the clock struck 90 minutes by bringing on Miovski. Those home fans that were left loudly booed his entrance.

Sitting eighth, they have more pressing concerns than a former hero. Miovski and Rangers are in a good place; Aberdeen are not.