Pedro Caixinha rightly picked out the Aberdeen line-up but the Rangers boss couldn’t have predicted the dramatic late blitz that breathed life in to the fight for second.
Kenny Miller blasted a double before a Joe Dodoo third as the Light Blues battered the Dons with three goals in four minutes to cut the gap between the sides to nine points with six games to go.
The bolts from the blue – which started with just 11 minutes left – left Pittodrie stunned after the home side bossed the second period only to be denied by keeper Wes Forderingham.
Gers were second best after the break in a fiery encounter that could have seen either side seeing red but had the cutting edge where it mattered to end Aberdeen’s 10 game unbeaten home run and take a slice out of their points advantage.
(Photo: SNS Group)
The Pittodrie pressure cooker was bubbling up nicely at kick-off – and it took just four minutes for things to boil over on the pitch after an early clash between Ryan Jack and Joe Garner ended up with both in the book.
Jack saw yellow for the tackle and Garner for the reaction. The pair squared up with Jack nudging his head in the Light Blues man – but the theatrical tumble was a tad over the top.
The rammy set the tone though with several on both sides skirting serious trouble with ref Kevin Clancy.
Despite early Dons dominance it was Rangers who almost took the lead when Martyn Waghorn’s effort spun in to Garner’s path, but the Gers striker’s drive was blocked by Ash Taylor.
Jonny Hayes tested Wes Foderingham at the near post but Waghorn wasn’t far away with a volley after getting on the end of Garner’s cross.
(Photo: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)
It’s was fast and feisty and Garner’s late nibble on keeper Joe Lewis was risky – as was a Taylor lunge that copped a yellow.
Rangers were doing a decent job of shutting down the supply lines down the flanks, with Jason Holt regularly shuffling over to double up with his full backs.
It forced Aberdeen to be more direct but neither side could get the ball down and bypass the succession of minor skirmishes.
The Dons started getting more joy when Niall McGinn and Hayes switched sides, with Hayes cut out at the last minute on one flank then McGinn carving out a chance for Kenny McLean soon after from the other.
The Pittodrie men pushed for an opener – and Gers needed Foderingham to hang on.
He kept out McLean’s volley and then blocked Adam Rooney – with an every better save to stop the Dons hitman moments later.
(Photo: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)
Aberdeen were in charge – but it was Rangers who left Pittodrie stunned by a devastating late burst.
Sub Josh Windass did the spade work before Lewis beat out Waghorn’s drive only for Miller to slam home the rebound.
The Dons looked shellshocked – and Miller pounced again, coolly clipping in to the corner to seal the deal just two minutes later.
The Red Army was heading for the exits when sub Joe Dodoo cut inside and drilled a third to give hope in the race to be best of the rest.
3 things we learned
The Cold Firm
Relations remain frosty between these sides and the rivalry is as strong as ever.
This was more a battle than a football match and it was a miracle both sides finished the clash with 11 men.
(Photo: SNS Group)
Hard man to love
Joe Garner seems to be a magnet for controversy and he was in the thick of it again.
He might have had a case against Ryan Jack as the Dons man aggressively stuck his head towards him.
But the reaction from the striker was embarrassing.
The kids are alright
Pedro Caixinha side are still in the fight for second but they will no doubt require surgery in the summer.
New faces will come in but the new boss will be hard pushed to find a more influential man than Kenny Miller.
A new contract for the veteran should be the easiest of his big decisions.