Rangers fans are celebrating a potentially huge victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership title race.
The Gers ran out 2-1 winners courtesy of goals from Rabbi Matondo and Todd Cantwell either side of a Bojan Miovski equaliser at a pulsating Ibrox.
After a bright start in the match – Welsh international Matondo quickest on the rebound to fire Rangers in front seven minutes into the game – Bojan Miovski wrestled home a Dons equaliser just before half-time.
Todd Cantwell would score Rangers’ second by again pouncing on a rebound following a Kelle Roos save, keeping his nerve to secure a vital three points.
Dujon Sterling then saw a red card after a late challenge on Aberdeen full-back Jack McKenzie was upheld following an on-pitch VAR review, guaranteeing a nervy final period.
Here’s five things we learned as confidence in an Ibrox title charge continues to build in Glasgow.
Rangers overcome Aberdeen bogey tag
Whilst Rangers exerted a huge level of control throughout the game, and particularly in the first half, Bojan Miovski’s Aberdeen equaliser on the stroke of half-time had fans fearing the worst.
The Macedonian striker latched onto a hopeful over the top ball before neatly finishing over Jack Butland, with yet more dropped points on the horizon for Rangers as a result.
The Gers have already dropped five points to the Dons this season and there were plenty of fears it might be seven with major questions over Connor Goldson’s role in the equaliser.
But the squad never panicked, kept creating chances, and eventually got their rewards to overcome the Aberdeen bogey team tag from this season.
Rabbi Matondo still has some maturing to do
Rabbi Matondo is a player who has the potential to excite and frustrate in equal measure and no more was this evident in Rangers’ win over Aberdeen.
Reacting quickest to fire past Kelle Roos in the first half, there’s a feeling that Matondo is much better when he’s reacting to situations and doesn’t have time to think.
Missing another gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 by hesitating on the ball, the winger then forced a save from Roos later in the half.
Very much playing inside his own head at the start of the second period, a string of poor touches saw the winger hooked for Colombian attacker Oscar Cortes.
Todd Cantwell evolution continues
To think that only a few months ago was Todd Cantwell being hooked in the first half by Philippe Clement, the resurgence of the playmaker in recent weeks has been astonishing.
Rangers know they have a top talent in the former Premier League star and for that reason there is always heightened expectation on the ex-Norwich hero.
Netting his sixth goal of the season in the win over Aberdeen, it could be the playmaker’s most important of the campaign to date and signals his continuing progression at Rangers.
The 25-year-old covered every blade of grass in the offensive third with Cantwell’s commitment, leadership, and quality growing by the game.
Cantwell is going from enigmatic talent to Rangers matchwinner and we’re all here for it.
Rangers prove title mettle to earn fan trust
Given Rangers looked dead and buried in the title race in October, there was little trust between the Ibrox crowd and the club’s under-fire squad.
Since Philippe Clement has came into Glasgow that “synergy” the Belgian touched on before the game has come back to Ibrox in droves.
Whilst Aberdeen’s late first half equaliser caused a few nerves at Ibrox, there’s a returning trust in this Rangers team that they have the character to overcome and get results in Glasgow.
With the players ramping up the crowd on a ferocious night in Govan, there’s growing trust that this team can go on to deliver more silverware, or at least leave it all on the pitch trying.
Bojan Miovski a top striker
With the striker berth very much a topic of hot discussion at Ibrox, that number 9 at Aberdeen isn’t half bad is he?
Bojan Miosvki had one big chance in the game and put the frighteners up Connor Goldson to fire his team level and turn a raucous Ibrox nervous.
Following on from a goal in the 1-1 draw with Celtic, this was Miovski’s 20th of the season and he’s certainly emerging as one of the Premiership’s biggest non-Old Firm assets.
Special mention too should go to Wolves loanee Fabio Silva, who was absolutely tremendous for Rangers after coming off the bench and looks a shrewd addition.
