ANOTHER big game, another big result. This is just another three points for Graeme Murty and Rangers, but there is an added significance all round on this occasion.

If the Light Blues finish best of the rest in the Premiership this term, the wins over Aberdeen will have gone some way to aiding their cause.

It is now played three and won three against Derek McInnes’ side for Murty and the latest victory was just as satisfying as goals in either half from Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier moved the Gers back above their visitors in the standings.

Murty thought he had rounded-off his spell as interim boss in perfect style as he led his side to wins at Ibrox and Pittodrie to put Rangers back in the race for second spot in the Premiership. History tells a different story to what the 43-year-old envisaged the future would be, however.

The battles for second and the Scottish Cup are still Murty’s and McInnes’ to fight and the coming months will go some way to justifying, or otherwise, the respective decisions taken by the Aberdeen boss and the Rangers board.

Much of the talk in the build-up to this match had centred on McInnes and the reception he would get from the Light Blue legions following his decision to turn down his former club last year.

The Pittodrie gaffer may have irked the Ibrox hierarchy with his eleventh hour call to remain in the North East but the fans who once hailed him during the nine-in-a-row era seemed nonplussed about his presence in the away dugout.

McInnes didn’t take his place on the touchline until a minute into the game as he and assistant Tony Docherty belatedly made their way down the tunnel and greeted Murty and new right hand man Jimmy Nicholl.

Unfortunately for the Reds boss, his side didn’t turn up at all. Once again, it was an Ibrox no-show from Aberdeen.

Rangers started positively as they knocked the ball about well. Josh Windass had the first attempt inside five minutes and it was the midfielder that almost gave Rangers the lead shortly afterwards.

He was denied by the post as his low shot cracked off the woodwork and rebounded into the grateful arms of keeper Joe Lewis. It was a let-off that Aberdeen couldn’t make the most of.

A speculative effort from Kenny McLean and a shot from Gary Mackay-Steven that Wes Foderingham saved well were all the visitors could muster before they returned to the dressing room. They did so a goal behind, and deservedly so.

Morelos should have opened the scoring when he met a Daniel Candeias cross at the back post but his header was wide of target from inside the six yard box as the home crowd were left in disbelief. The next time the Colombian got a sight of goal, he made amends.

Another Candeias cross wasn’t converted as Lewis punched clear but the danger wasn’t over from Aberdeen as Tavernier collected the ball on the right.

He picked out Morelos at the back post and he made no mistake this time around as he converted from close range for his 13th goal in Light Blue.

It was a goal that Rangers certainly merited and a moment that Morelos and the Ibrox crowd certainly enjoyed as Aberdeen were left staring at a third successive defeat to the Gers.

The evening was going to plan for Murty but the home ranks still had a reason to vent their fury. Unsurprisingly, it was referee Bobby Madden that was once again attracting their ire.

Having failed to book Mackay-Steven for a rash tackle on Jamie Murphy in the first half, he let Shay Logan off with a late challenge on the on-loan Brighton forward early in the second. The foul count was ticking over for Aberdeen but they showed little to suggest that they would register on the score board.

Rangers should have done so twice before the hour mark was reached. Morelos was denied by Lewis as he turned on the edge of the area and unleashed a low shot that the keeper got an outstretched arm to.

But he was left helpless when Morelos spurned a glorious chance from just yards out. Russell Martin split the Dons defence with a terrific pass down the left and Declan John did well to send the ball across the goal. But with the net seemingly destined to ripple, Morelos somehow missed from close range.

The striker would end the night without another goal to his credit as he was replaced by Jason Cummings with 20 minutes remaining. The game should have been won but the job wasn’t done yet for Rangers.

Soon, they had the perfect chance. Tavernier played a lovely ball in behind that Windass latched onto and he collided with Anthony O’Connor and Lewis before Madden pointed to the spot.

Tavernier had to wait several minutes to take the penalty as Lewis received treatment and was then stretchered off in clear discomfort. Danny Rogers took over but was sent the wrong way as Tavernier fired the ball into the net.

Aberdeen finally showed some spirit and attacking threat but they couldn’t find a way past Foderingham. Three times in quick succession he denied them, making excellent stops to deny Adam Rooney, Scott McKenna and then Dominic Ball. Having had little to do throughout the night, the keeper certainly played his part late on.

Murty gave Halliday an Ibrox homecoming in the final minutes as he received a warm round of applause from the Light Blues fans. The next cheer was the most important one, though, as a comfortable win was secured.

McInnes didn’t join them and once again he hadn’t beaten them. The match, and the points, belonged to Murty and Rangers.