Ryan Darby

Sun 10 January 2021 17:45, UK

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 win away to Aberdeen on Sunday, with Alfredo Morelos getting on the scoresheet twice.

Rangers looked like they benefitted from the midweek rest, with both teams going end to end during the opening stages of the game.

The Gers job was made somewhat easier after Aberdeen went down to 10 men. Alfredo Morelos got in behind the defence after a brilliant piece of movement and was then brought down by Ryan Hedges.

Unfortunately for Rangers, James Tavernier missed his first penalty of the season as he fired it wide.

Morelos puts things right shortly after, with a fantastic goal inside the Dons box that put the visitors in front.

The Colombian doubled his tally in the second half with another clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Matthew Kennedy pulled a goal back just after the hour mark with the Gers at sixes and sevens at the back.

Here are the Ibrox News ratings for Aberdeen v Rangers:

Allan McGregor – 6

Generally was not tested that much throughout. If we’re being harsh, he might have been able to do more to prevent Kennedy’s goal.

James Tavernier – 6

Spurned a golden chance to score his 10th penalty of the season as he fired wide from the spot. Did not enjoy as much freedom down the right until the game opened up in the second half. Caught upfield for Kennedy’s goal.

 Connor Goldson – 6

Looked lively at the back, with Aberdeen’s front two certainly keeping them occupied early on but they limited any potential goalscoring opportunities Aberdeen had. Not much he could have done for the Aberdeen goal with the defence all over the place.

Leon Balogun – 6

Caught out of position for the Aberdeen goal, which overshadowed what was an otherwise good performance.

Borna Barisic – 6

Barisic was not involved in a huge amount during the first half. As a result of Rangers either focusing their play down the right or Ryan Kent coming deep, Barisic did not see much the ball. Unfortunately on the end of a nasty tackle from Curtis Main. Like Tavernier, he was caught out for the Aberdeen goal.

Steven Davis – 6

Davis looked a little leggy, to begin with, as Rangers generally struggled to get any consistent control in midfield. The game soon worked in his favour with the Dons down to 10 and he kept things ticking over.

Joe Aribo – 8

Got his reward with Morelos’ second of the game. He played a dangerous ball into the box after drifting out wide. He would often find himself in some brilliant positions in between the lines but was not always used by team-mates.

Switched off slightly for Aberdeen’s goal but was otherwise impressive.

Glen Kamara – 6

Overshadowed somewhat by Aribo on the other side of midfield. Kamara did not exactly do anything badly, but nor did he particularly shine.

Ianis Hagi – 6

Threatened early on with a cracking effort that had Joe Lewis worried. However, the combination of Jonny Hayes and Andy Considine limited the space that Hagi had. Seemed to throw himself to the ground rather softly just after the hour mark.

Ryan Kent – 9

His usual self on the ball, positive and always looking to try and beat his man. He can consider himself unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after a couple of decent efforts, but he did brilliantly to set up Morelos for both goals.

Alfredo Morelos – 9

His movement prior to winning the penalty was excellent and it was a run he was looking to make constantly. Really deserved his goal to give Rangers the lead. Constantly on the move and causing Aberdeen all sorts of problems.

The touch and finish for his second goal was so clinical, with the striker looking back to his best.

Substitutes

Bongani Zungu – N/A

In other Rangers news, ‘Absolute torture’ – Some Gers fans blast ‘awful’ player at HT v Aberdeen