ROSS MCCRORIE reckons Rangers showed their fighting spirit to battle their way to a crucial Premiership win over Aberdeen.

Steven Gerrard’s side kept up their chase of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the standings as they clinched a huge three points at Pittodrie.

Alfredo Morelos netted either side of Sam Cosgrove’s equaliser before James Tavernier restored Rangers’ advantage late in the first half.

But the Colombian then joined Dons defender Scott McKenna in heading for an early bath just minutes after Cosgrove had made it 3-1.

Jermain Defoe scored in injury time to make sure of the points and midfielder McCrorie was delighted with a terrific effort from the Light Blues.

He said: “It was an eventful night to say the least. It was a really good win for the boys and a huge result for us.

“I think this is up there as one of the best victories we have had up at Aberdeen since I’ve been involved. All the boys dug deep and we got our reward in the end.

“We are going to be under pressure all the way to the end of the season. We can’t afford any more slip-ups so every game for us is huge from now until the end of the season.

“If teams want to have a battle with us, we are more than up for it. We are more than capable of competing.

“In every game, you are going to have to battle if you want to dominate. From there, we can play and do our stuff.

“That is just the basics of football. As long as we do the basics right, we have got a platform for the rest of the game and that will stand us in good stead.

“I think we have a group of players who love the battle. Not just that, at Rangers Football Club, you have to go and win three points. We have got that mentality now and have winners within the team."