Listen to Sportsound
Rangers end six-game winless run with first home victory in eight
Cerny slots opener, Dessers turns in second & Igamane volleys brilliant third before late fourth deflects in off Jefte
Both sides have first-half goal disallowed for offside
Rangers will finish second, Aberdeen in contention for third
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
You can see highlights from Ibrox on Sportscene at 19:15 BST on BBC Scotland.
The penultimate round of Premiership fixtures is on Wednesday, with all 12 clubs involved.
Thanks for your company today and enjoy what's left of your weekend.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound
I didn't see much direction from the touchline and there wasn't much on the pitch other than Dimitar Mitov getting angry every time a strike came at him.
The changes Aberdeen made were negative. Pape Gueye made no impact whatsoever. Why put Jamie McGrath away out on the right?
The second-half performance was as poor as possible.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "We have to show more of ourselves.
"The first half we were quite good defensively but did not have so many threats. The second half we started better and created some chances. After their first goal we stopped doing things as a team.
"Sometimes we have to be smarter in how we play the game, we gave them chances in transition, opened the block and chased players individually and the game was out of our hands.
"The organisation went down. We were defending one against one, open spaces all over the central areas. We were leaving space everywhere and not defending in a block. You drain yourself as an individual and a team if you don't defend better.
"We have to manage games better in these important games. The standard performance-wise was not good enough. We have to find a way to turn this around.
"We can't hide, we have to show up, do it again and do it better."
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson tells BBC Scotland he is "relieved" after his side ended a seven-game winless run at home.
"There was a lot of pressure on us today and certainly in the second half we handled that," he said. "First half was a bit passive and pedestrian. Aberdeen never threatened us but I wanted and demanded more at half-time.
"We made a change and a tactical change and the boys were really convincing second half. The only disappointing thing was we never scored more goals.
"I wanted more runners from midfield to make Aberdeen think a wee bit. We were playing behind the ball too much.
"I've got two games and the substitutes have given me food for thought now. That's what I want.
"We are all frustrated at how this season has gone but we are thankful we got the win today."
Asked about whether he'd accept the job on a full-time basis, Ferguson tells us he's "always up for a challenge" but repeats his mantra since taking temporary charge: "I'm not thinking of that, I'm not looking past Wednesday's game. That's my next game and that's where I'll be putting my energy.
"There is uncertainty. There are players out of contract, loanees going back, guys going into their final year and guys who maybe want to leave. Decisions need to be made pretty soon but we will remain as professional as possible to make sure we finish the season strongly."
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Barry Ferguson has two games left as Rangers boss, at home to Dundee United on Wednesday and away to Hibs on Saturday.
Will that be the end of the road for the interim manager?
With a takeover from American investors brewing in the background, there is a vacuum when it comes to decision-making at Ibrox.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
If they take a sore one on Wednesday at home to Celtic, which is probable, it really does leave Aberdeen not in the greatest shape going into the cup final.
A few weeks ago, they had so much going for them coming up to this final push. That all seems to have fallen apart for them.
These two games, they are going to have to stop the rot and find a way of getting that confidence up.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Of course, Aberdeen can still earn guaranteed group stage European football next season if they win the Scottish Cup final against Celtic.
That's because the cup winners trump third place for a shot at the Europa League play-off round.
The Dons will be big underdogs for that Hampden showdown on 24 May though.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
The first half, Aberdeen were organised, disciplined, had a decent shape but didn't cause Rangers too many issues.
They didn't look like they were going to be ripped apart the way they were in the second half.
It all started when Hamza Igamane came on.
I don't understand why full-backs run forward when your team doesn't have the ball. The two sitting midfield players disappeared as well so you have two centre-backs marking two strikers and Vaclav Cerny.
Spaces all over the park. It could have been more than four goals.
Aberdeen crumbled - that's how I'd describe it.
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
That was a weight off Rangers' shoulders. The pressure was clearly on them with this home record, which they would have desperately wanted to end.
The first half wasn't great, but once the first goal had gone in, you could see a more relaxed performance.
People took more risks on the ball, there was an uptick in performance levels from everybody.
It's confidence, a massive part of football.
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen will need to take something at home to Celtic on Wednesday to have any chance of leapfrogging Hibs, who are away to St Mirren on the same night.
If Hibs can find a win in Paisley, then that contest is effectively over regardless of what the Dons do.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
The introduction of Hamza Igamane had a lot to do with Rangers' dominance.
Aberdeen seemed to forget how to defend, couldn't cope with the two strikers, and Vaclav Cerny was drifting into all sorts of space.
Rangers did improve their game, but Aberdeen were really, really poor defensively.
It's got to be worrying because the cup final is two weeks away.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen stay fourth, three points behind Hibs, with two games to go.
The Easter Road side also enjoy a hugely superior goal difference of +20.
The Dons host Celtic on Wednesday and end the league campaign at Tannadice.
FT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Cyriel Dessers is on to 26 goals for the season and has now scored in three successive Premiership matches for the first time.
He couldn't really miss after clever work from Nico Raskin set him up.
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
A reverse angle of Hamza Igamane's whistling third, on the volley, which beat Dimitar Mitov from 20 yards out.
Easily the pick of the bunch today.
Image source, SNSRangers end a seven-game streak without a win at Ibrox thanks to a fine second-half display.
Vaclav Cerny, Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igamane and Jefte got the goals.
A hammer blow for Aberdeen's hopes of finishing third.
Image source, SNSRangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
Excellent play from Rangers in keeping the ball.
They started on the right, knocked it out to the left, and Vaclav Cerny hits the shot from the edge of the box.
Dimitar Mitov is furious as it ricochets off a player in front of him.
Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound
Way too passive from Aberdeen. They were spectators.
I can understand why Dimitar Mitov is angry because they just didn't get close enough to the opposition players, and they had plenty opportunities to do so.
Jefte
He doesn't know too much about it but Jefte is smiling as a shot from team-mate Vaclav Cerny cannons off him and whizzes past Dimitar Mitov.
Rangers 3-0 Aberdeen
The one-way traffic continues as Dimitar Mitov has to push away a raking effort from Vaclav Cerny.
Rangers 3-0 Aberdeen
Tom Lawrence cracks a vicious free-kick on target and Dimitar Mitov does really well to push it over.
Jamie McGrath looks exhausted as he is shown a yellow card.
Hamza Igamane made it 3-0 with a brilliant volley
Rangers blew away Aberdeen in the second half to end their record seven-match winless streak at Ibrox in style and leave interim boss Barry Ferguson "relieved" after his first home victory at the sixth attempt.
Vaclav Cerny, Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane all produced fine finishes in a 15-minute spell as Aberdeen fell apart at the back.
Jefte got in on the act in the closing seconds, adding the fourth when Cerny's effort deflected in off the Brazilian.
It completed a rout as Aberdeen's attempt to close the three-point gap to Hibernian in the race for third place fell flat.
"I'm relieved," said Ferguson. "Seven games is far too much.
"There was a lot of pressure on us today and, certainly in the second half, we handled that.
"First half, we were a bit passive, pedestrian in our play. Aberdeen never threatened us but I wanted more and I demanded more.
"We changed tactically, I wanted more runners from midfield, and I thought we were really convincing. The only disappointing thing for me was not scoring a few more goals."
The Dons were left to rue an effort from Topi Keskinen that came back off a post shortly after the interval at 0-0.
It was their last meaningful moment as they were soon two goals behind, with Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin key to both.
First he sent Cerny through a huge gap in the Dons defence for the Czech winger to claim his 18th goal of an impressive season.
The Belgian then showed skill and composure in the opposing box to lay the ball on a plate for Dessers to stab home his 26th of another prolific campaign.
The icing on the home cake was a fabulous volley from substitute Igamane, following some more abysmal Aberdeen defending, to put the game beyond any doubt with 20 minutes left.
The second period had everything the first half lacked. Passion, quality and goals.
The play before the interval was notable only for three things. Goals at either end disallowed for offside by the video assistant referee to the frustration of Dessers as well as Aberdeen's Oday Dabbagh - and an absolute sitter spurned by the Rangers striker.
His profligacy was quickly forgotten, however, after his side's clinical display in the second 45 which ended the three-month wait for a home victory at Ibrox.
Given Rangers came into this one on the back of an unprecedented seven-match winless streak at Ibrox, you would have thought they'd have been busting a gut to put that right.
It didn't look much like it for long periods of the first half. The apathy symbolised by the plethora of empty seats appeared to be mirrored in the attitude and energy of the home players.
That all changed in a much-improved performance after the break, helped a great deal by some terrible Aberdeen defending.
Ferguson wanted his men to show pride, and quality in the final third. He got both, eventually, and is entitled to enjoy his first home win as Rangers manager. Whether he's around to enjoy many more will soon be decided at boardroom level.
Pre-match, manager Jimmy Thelin said it was important his players showed "presence" and bravery on the ball. They didn't do that nearly well enough.
As to some of their defending after the interval, the Swede will be scratching his head. He'll also be worrying, given he has two matches against champions Celtic in the next 10 days, one of which is the Scottish Cup final.
The first-half performance was acceptable. The second was not. To concede four goals and watch goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov still have to make save after save will give Thelin plenty of foot for thought as he heads into the crucial final period of the season.
Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson: "We are all frustrated at how this season has gone but we are thankful we got the win today.
"I was delighted with the commitment and attitude in the Celtic game last week. Same again today. I just want to see better quality from middle to front.
"We didn't bring it in the first half but in the second half we looked a threat every time we entered their box.
"Decisions need to be made pretty soon [on the next manager] but me, my staff and the players will remain as professional as possible to make sure we finish off the season strongly."
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "We have to show more of ourselves.
"The first half we were quite good defensively but did not have so many threats. The second half we started better and created some chances. After their first goal we stopped doing things as a team.
"We have to manage games better in these important games. The standard performance-wise was not good enough. We have to find a way to turn this around."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 28 | 4 | 4 | 106 | 24 | 82 | 88 |
| |
| 36 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 75 | 38 | 37 | 71 |
| |
| 36 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 58 | 46 | 12 | 56 |
| |
| 36 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 46 | 54 | -8 | 53 |
| |
| 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 42 | 50 | -8 | 50 |
| |
| 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 50 | 56 | -6 | 48 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 49 | 46 | 3 | 46 |
| |
| 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 45 |
| |
| 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 45 | 60 | -15 | 44 |
| |
| 36 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 54 | 76 | -22 | 37 |
| |
| 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 35 | 63 | -28 | 35 |
| |
| 36 | 9 | 5 | 22 | 37 | 64 | -27 | 32 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 26 | 3 | 4 | 97 | 22 | 75 | 81 |
| |
| 33 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 68 | 35 | 33 | 66 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 54 | 41 | 13 | 53 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 45 | 49 | -4 | 50 |
| |
| 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 45 | 54 | -9 | 41 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 43 | 44 | -1 | 40 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 39 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 38 | 58 | -20 | 35 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 33 | 56 | -23 | 35 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 7 | 17 | 50 | 71 | -21 | 34 |
| |
| 33 | 8 | 5 | 20 | 33 | 58 | -25 | 29 |
|
Manager: Barry Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Jimmy Thelin
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Barry Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Jimmy Thelin
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Rangers have lost just one of their last 13 home games against Aberdeen in all competitions (W10 D2), winning their last three in a row since a 1-3 reverse in September 2023.
The last eight league matches between Rangers and Aberdeen have an even head-to-head record between the pair: three wins each, two draws, and 11 goals each.
Rangers are winless in their last seven home games in all competitions (D2 L5), their longest ever run without a home win in their history.
Since winning each of their opening three away league outings of this season, Aberdeen have only won two of their last 14 on the road (D4 L8).
Cyriel Dessers has scored in both of Rangers’ last two league games, and could score in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances for the very first time. With 10 home league goals last season and nine this, Dessers could become only the third player to reach double figures for home goals in both of his first two Scottish Premiership seasons since the competition’s rebrand in 2013, after Louis Moult (2015-16 & 2016-17) and Bojan Miovski (2022-23 and 2023-24).
