Hamza Igamane continued his fine scoring form to break the deadlock for Philippe Clement’s side inside the opening quarter of an hour. Rangers squandered a succession of chances as they failed to put the game beyond the Dons.
Clement suffered another injury blow when Robin Propper was forced off in the second period. James Tavernier and Leon Balogun both returned to action. And it was the Nigerian that made sure of the points with a 93rd minute header. Cyriel Dessers rounded off the scoring in the final seconds.
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More home comforts for Clement
Clement came out fighting on Tuesday as he insisted that he is a ‘winner’ and not a ‘quitter’ at his pre-match press conference. The 50-year-old clearly still has belief in himself and his players and he is determined to see this project through. The chance to prove others wrong is not his motivation but that is what he must do if he is to prolong his tenure at Ibrox. Many of the issues that have been prevalent all term were evident once again but the victory was more than deserved and the margin did not flatter Rangers on a positive night for the Belgian.
The public backing that was provided by Patrick Stewart has been welcomed by Clement. Ultimately, he needs wins, and lots of them, rather than statements as he seeks to alter the perception of his management and mood of the support. Clement will be given ample opportunity to record those required results and the visit of Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup will be a welcome change of pace ahead of the Battle of Britain showdown against Manchester United and a trip to face Dundee United that will see the focus fixed on Rangers’ away record once again.
The stats at Ibrox make very different reading for Clement. Rangers had collected 31 points from a possible 33 before this fixture on home soil and the fine run continued here in largely dominant fashion. The entertainment value has been questioned at various stages and that is another area where there is room for improvement in the coming weeks and months. This was not a night where a corner was turned but it was another step in the right direction. There must be many more like it.
Protests continue but no silent treatment
All eyes and ears were focused on the stands. Sunday was dominated by protests and walk-outs as the off-field issues overshadowed events on the pitch. It was a match played in a strange atmosphere and Clement called for the crowd to get behind his side in the second of this run of three Ibrox outings.
The Union Bears did not protest in silence on this occasion. The murmurs of conversation could not be heard as the support and the decibel level ebbed and flowed alongside an entertaining encounter.
With 55 minutes on the clock, the Union Bears unfurled a banner in the Copland Stand which read: ‘Rangers FC: Do not enter unless you’re ready to put yourself second and that should be the only time second is good enough for you’. In the Broomloan Stand, a handful of banners were displayed as the board were put in the firing line once again.
Igamane leads the way again
The goal had – even just 13 minutes into this one – been coming for Rangers. It should have arrived earlier than it did as Igamane collected a Vaclav Cerny pass and put a shot wide of Ross Doohan’s far post. When he next got a sight of goal, he found the net.
Cerny was involved once again as he capitalised on a mix-up between Doohan and Sivert Nilsen. Mohamed Diomande’s shot was blocked and fell to Igamane. From 12 yards, the Moroccan netted his 13th goal of what is becoming a hugely impressive debut campaign.
The lead could, and perhaps should, have been doubled when Ianis Hagi found Danilo. The Brazilian was denied by Doohan as a dinked effort was well blocked. The next stop from Doohan was just as impressive. Danilo and Igamane combined well again and a powerful drive from the latter was parried away.
Hagi was unfortunate to see an effort clip the top of the bar just before the hour mark. Seconds later, Nedim Bajrami’s low strike was just the wrong side of Doohan’s left post. Another Bajrami attempt was also wide of target as Rangers pushed for the second goal they needed. Cerny couldn’t provide it as a clear chance was squandered and a Balogun header that struck the woodwork summed up the frustration.
At long last, the second goal arrived as Balogun nodded home in injury time. There was still time for a third. Few would have backed Dessers when one-on-one with Kristers Tobers but he produced a fine finish to round off the evening.
No repeat result for disappointing Dons
There are certain fixtures and certain matches that suit this Rangers side. The win over St Johnstone on Sunday was one such occasion as Rangers were able to press at the right times and then exploit the deficiencies in the Saints’ defence. The pattern of this one was similar, and it once again played into the hands of Clement’s side. It is a shame for the Belgian that more teams in the division do not have the same principles when it comes to how they build the play.
The Dons couldn’t find their rhythm in the opening stages as Rangers penned them in and were comfortable with and without the ball. This was a far cry from the October evening that saw Jimmy Thelin’s side move nine points clear of Rangers with victory at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen’s first real chance came from a Rangers mistake as Diomande needlessly lost the ball in the centre circle. An audacious effort from Leighton Clarkson was dealt with well by Liam Kelly. The keeper held a Tobers header on the stroke of half-time. Earlier in the half, Kevin Nisbet was unable to get a connection when any touch on a teasing cross would surely have beaten Kelly.
Thelin was proactive with his switches as he turned to his bench in an attempt to transform the fortunes of his side. Aberdeen somehow stayed in the game and had hope while they waited for one last chance. It never materialised.
Three notable absentees as two big names return
Clement has been searching for consistency in terms of performances and results throughout the campaign. In doing so, he has rarely been consistent with his team selections. Whether it be for form or fitness issues, the Belgian does not tend to stick with the same side in successive matches. He did so here as the line-up that beat St Johnstone were backed to go again.
The returns of Tavernier and Balogun to the matchday squad were a significant bonus, especially given that trips to Old Trafford and Tannadice await next week. Bailey Rice and Zak Lovelace were named on the bench but there were no places for Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo or Kieran Dowell.
The first switch was an attacking one, and perhaps an enforced one. Danilo struggled with a shoulder complaint in the first half and he didn’t appear for the second. The supporting role was assumed by Bajrami.
Balogun made his return with 15 minutes remaining. It was another enforced one for Clement as Robin Propper hobbled off. The Dutchman walked straight up the tunnel as Rangers suffered another defensive blow before Tavernier replaced Hagi and took the armband from Nicolas Raskin.
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