Rangers beat managerless Aberdeen to move up to second in Premiership table.

Rangers’ ascent up the William Hill Premiership continued as they moved into second position and within three points of leaders Hearts after defeating managerless Aberdeen 2-0 at Ibrox.

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In the 11th minute, Light Blues centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez scored from a corner kick, his fifth of the season.

The Dons, led by first-team coach Peter Leven after Jimmy Thelin’s departure on Sunday, squandered a couple of wonderful chances before Gers midfielder Nico Raskin headed in from another Connor Barron corner four minutes before halftime.

Danny Rohl’s side was sixth in the table when he took over from former manager Russell Martin in October, but despite a lack of consistency, they climbed three points ahead of Celtic, who, like the Jambos, had a game in hand.

The Light Blues travel to Pittodrie on Sunday for the second leg of this week’s double-header against the Dons, hoping to maintain their better league record, which will undoubtedly present a different type of test.

Spirits were high at Ibrox following the comeback 3-1 triumph at Celtic Park, which virtually ended Hoops manager Wilfried Nancy’s reign after only 33 days, and the visitors, who had lost their previous five games, had a shaky start.

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov dropped a long free kick from Gers captain James Tavernier, but was able to save a shot from former Pittodrie midfielder Barron, who was waiting to pounce on the lost ball.

Mitov did not appear very intelligent as the brilliant Barron’s corner from the left came into a crowded six-yard box, leaving him on the floor as Fernandez headed in an easy opener.

Dons attacker Kenan Bilalovic sped through the Ibrox defence on a long ball but took a terrible second touch, allowing the ball to run through to Gers keeper Jack Butland.

Another letdown for the Govan side came in the 27th minute when Bilalovic failed to control a pass from counter-attacking Kevin Nisbet with only Butland to beat, which proved costly.

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Mitov stopped Tavernier’s dipping drive over the bar in the 39th minute, but the home side persisted, and from another Barron corner, Raskin released himself from defender Nicky Devlin to slam in a header for the second, and he went close again just before halftime.

Rangers had a few chances in the second half, but Butland saved a looping Nisbet header for a corner, which Aberdeen’s Dante Polvara headed over.

The Govan outfit moved the ball around the pitch confidently at times, but the fans wanted the third goal, which almost came in the 78th minute when Raskin fired in a drive from 20 yards but Mitov pushed it away for a corner, this time fruitless, while Aberdeen could have pulled one back on a couple of occasions in the closing stages, with Fernandez blocking an effort from substitute Leighton Clarkson in added time.

The Light Blues travel to Pittodrie on Sunday for the second leg of this week’s double-header against the Dons, trying to keep their league lead, which will definitely present a different type of challenge.

Spirits were high at Ibrox following the comeback 3-1 triumph at Celtic Park, which virtually ended Hoops manager Wilfried Nancy’s reign after only 33 days, and the visitors, who had lost their previous five games, had a shaky start.

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov dropped a long free kick from Gers captain James Tavernier, but was able to save a shot from former Pittodrie midfielder Barron, who was waiting to pounce on the lost ball.

Mitov did not appear very intelligent as the brilliant Barron’s corner from the left came into a crowded six-yard box, leaving him on the floor as Fernandez headed in an easy opener.

Dons attacker Kenan Bilalovic sped through the Ibrox defence on a long ball but took a terrible second touch, allowing the ball to run through to Gers keeper Jack Butland.

Another letdown for the Govan side came in the 27th minute when Bilalovic failed to control a pass from counter-attacking Kevin Nisbet with only Butland to beat, which proved costly.

Mitov stopped Tavernier’s dipping drive over the bar in the 39th minute, but the home side persisted, and from another Barron corner, Raskin released himself from defender Nicky Devlin to slam in a header for the second, and he went close again just before halftime.

Rangers had a few chances in the second half, but Butland saved a looping Nisbet header for a corner, which Aberdeen’s Dante Polvara headed over.

The Govan outfit moved the ball around the pitch confidently at times, but the fans wanted the third goal, which almost came in the 78th minute when Raskin fired in a drive from 20 yards but Mitov pushed it away for a corner, this time fruitless, while Aberdeen could have pulled one back on a couple of occasions in the closing stages, with Fernandez blocking an effort from substitute Leighton Clarkson in added time.