Thelo Aasgaard volleyed Rangers in front after 23 minutesSNS

At a glance

  • Aasgaard fires Rangers in front from a corner

  • Fernandez header ruled out for challenge on Mitov

  • Tavenier converts penalty after foul on Gassama

  • Fourth successive defeat without scoring for Aberdeen

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers remain three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts after a second 2-0 win over Aberdeen in six days.

On a blustery, rainy evening at Pittodrie, Thelo Aasgaard steered in a cushioned volley from a corner and James Tavernier converted a penalty kick.

Emmanuel Fernandez was on target at Ibrox on Tuesday and thought he had scored again, only for the defender's header to be ruled out for an infringement on Dimitar Mitov.

The goalkeeper had come a long way off his line and looked well beaten in the air but, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee David Dickinson decided that an arm had impeded Mitov.

Prior to that contentious moment, Aasgaard - in for the injured Connor Barron - had opened the scoring on 23 minutes, touching home a well-worked short corner.

Djeidi Gassama later tumbled under a challenge from Graeme Shinnie, allowing Tavernier to wrap up the victory from the spot with 15 minutes remaining.

Since Danny Rohl took over in October, Rangers have the most wins (11), points (35), and goals (26) of any top flight side.

Aberdeen, who stay eighth in the table, have gone the most games without scoring (10).

This was a fourth defeat in a row, all without a goal, which last happened for the Dons in December 2010.

Graphic

Analysis: Familiar threat for Rangers, familiar failings for Aberdeen

Both Rangers goals on Tuesday were scored direct from corners, and set-pieces were again the main source of the visitors' threat.

Aasgaard's smart finish was their 11th goal from a corner this season, while Fernandez could only knock over a free header from an earlier delivery.

The disallowed Fernandez effort came from a free-kick, as did a great chance for Nico Raskin that was nodded wide early in the second half.

There were opportunities from open play too, as Mohamed Diomande and James Tavernier had first-half shots saved.

Mitov also made a good blocks to deny Youssef Chermiti and Mikey Moore as Rangers enjoyed a comfortable victory at a venue that has proved tricky in recent years.

Aberdeen have chopped and changed up front all season.

Interim manager Peter Leven brought fresh faces into his attack but the home fans did not have much to cheer.

The loudest they got was jeering former striker Bojan Miovski as he came off the bench in stoppage time.

Nicolas Milanovic had an early shot blocked by John Souttar, while Jack Butland saved well from a Leighton Clarkson drive and that was about it.

The hosts looked lost for long spells and perhaps the most worrying element was the lack of bite in what is a traditionally feisty fixture.

Aberdeen took four points from Rangers at Pittodrie last term but, with a mere 20 goals from 22 games, this campaign appears to be fizzling out.

What's next for these teams?

Aberdeen host Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup next Sunday live on BBC Scotland (14:30 GMT), before Livingston visit Pittodrie on Saturday 24 January.

Rangers have three home games in a row to look forward to, with Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup (Friday, 19:45), Ludogorets in the Europa League (22 Jan, 20:00) and Dundee in the Premiership (25 Jan, 15:00).

Player of the match

J. Butland
7.23
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10 L. Clarkson
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8 D. Polvara
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77 E. Gyamfi
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1 D. Mitov
4.37
4 G. Shinnie
4.25
11 N. Milanović
3.97
22 J. Milne
3.91
17 J. Karlsson
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2 N. Devlin
3.65
81 T. Keskinen
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27 M. Lazetić
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15 K. Nisbet
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7 A. Aouchiche
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14 K. Bilalović
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16 S. Armstrong
2.81
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