Rangers against Aberdeen is never a dull or straightforward affair and Neil Warnock was never going to send out his team to be anything other than fired up.
The veteran manager is facing Gers boss Philippe Clement for the first time in his long career with his new side already sitting on a decent record against the men from Ibrox this season – league cup final excepted of course.
With the score at 1-1, Rangers will be hoping to keep Aberdeen at bay and make sure that Jack Butland has a quiet second-half.
Rangers v Aberdeen – Half-time verdict
Clement went with a bold starting XI by partnering Tom Lawrence with John Lundstram in midfield, two players who are both comfortable on the ball and of competing physically.
The other surprise being the return of Cyriel Dessers after Fabio Silva scored at the weekend, however, his post winter break form has been impressive.
Pre-match, he seemed focus and fully aware of the task in hand against a physical Aberdeen line-up.
Rangers got off to a flyer pinning back Aberdeen in the opening stages with quick passing and even quicker counter attacks in transition.
One of which led to the opening goal through Rabbi Matondo.
Rangers were playing with pace and intensity but there was a lack of control for long periods of the first-half, it was 100mph but passes were being rushed or we were trying to play the killer ball too quickly.
We can keep the speed of play and passing up without taking too many touches but we need to show more composure in the final third – if Matondo did, he would have had a second.
Drive into the space when it is there rather than cutting inside.
It’s a small detail, but one that could reap rewards in the second-half.
