Lovenkrands' pace tested Deloumeaux

Barry Ferguson brought out a decent reflex save from Kjaer with a powerful left-foot shot after 15 minutes.

Then Lovenkrands found himself in referee John Underhill's book for diving when he felt he should have had a penalty after Deloumeaux's challenge.

Aberdeen's first effort at goal was a Jamie McAllister free kick that curled high and wide.

The visitors had an incredible let-off after 25 minutes when Ricksen somehow knocked the ball over the bar from a yard out after he slid to get on the end of Muscat's cross.

Rangers did go in front shortly afterwards. Lovenkrands ghosted by two defenders and his cross was dummied by Arveladze to give De Boer the simplest of tasks to tap the ball into the net.

Arteta was pulling the strings in midfield and after his run into the box was halted, Lovenkrands drove just wide.

Rangers continued as they had left off before half-time - on the attack.

Barry Ferguson dodges a tackle by Derek Young

But while the home side enjoyed the bulk of possession, they were not making Kjaer work too hard in the Aberdeen goal.

Ricksen got in a shot at goal on the hour mark after Ferguson set him up, but the ball flew well over.

Rangers had a claim for a penalty turned down midway through the second half when Arveladze tumbled as he tried to get in a shot.

Then De Boer shot wildly over after an excellent one-two with Arveladze.

Rangers were awarded a penalty with just over 10 minutes left after a scramble in the goalmouth ended with Kevin McNaughton being adjudged to have handled on the line.

The decision was a borderline one, but McNaughton was red carded and Ferguson coolly sent Kjaer the wrong way from the spot.

The Rangers captain almost scored a second a minute later, but his attempted chip was just too high.

Rangers: Klos, Muscat (Ross 83), Moore, Malcolm, Numan, Ricksen, Arteta (Latapy 83), Ferguson, de Boer, Arveladze, Lovenkrands (Flo 61).

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Konterman.

Booked: Lovenkrands, Malcolm.

Aberdeen: Kjaer, Deloumeaux, Anderson, McGuire, McAllister, McNaughton, Darren Young (Clark 74), Derek Young (Mike 64), Tiernan, Mackie, D'Jaffo.

Subs Not Used: Preece, O'Donoghue, Payne.

Sent Off: McNaughton (78).

Booked: McNaughton, Derek Young.

Att: 49,219

Ref: J Underhill