By David Herd

The Sky TV cameras were inside Ibrox today, meaning an early kick-off for the penultimate home match for Rangers in this historically awful season. In a campaign that has seen the worst home cup defeat ever and the worst run of consecutive defeats ever at Ibrox, the number of empty seats confirmed the suspicion of many that plenty fans decided the season was over after the Old Firm draw last Sunday. The official attendance of 50343 always refers to tickets bought rather than numbers through the turnstiles, the discrepancy between the two will likely be even greater in midweek against Dundee United.

Sky like to talk up an intense and bitter rivalry between Rangers and today’s opponents Aberdeen, but in truth the hatred is distinctly one-way, and the importance of the match was very much only high for the visitors. Their defeat in Paisley last week meant they trail Hibs in the battle for third, and they could still be caught in the race for the fourth, a position that means Europa League qualifying should Celtic defeat the Dons as expected in the cup final. They were not yet mathematically certain of fifth, and its likely future in the Conference League qualifiers. With cup final places also up for grabs, the visiting players certainly had much more to look forward to this month.

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All Barry Ferguson’s men have after next weekend is a summer holiday and an uncertain future with the much-needed American takeover at Ibrox inching closer. The interim boss was looking at his last week in charge, and no doubt desperate to finally see his team win a game at home, as the last time a Rangers team saw victory on their own pitch was way back on February second. A scandalous statistic for all concerned.

The fans who did make the effort were expecting to see a team selected with an eye on the future. But when Ferguson’s team selection was released, he had decided on the exact same eleven as faced Celtic. The only possible explanation is we have an interim manager who still harbours the hope the job could be his if he wins games, going for the safest and least risky line-up. Of course, that also means selecting those who have proven themselves as nowhere near good enough. Even on the bench we could see the refusal to look forward, with Nsiala nowhere to be seen and Propper reinstated to the bench, and with the return to the squad of Tom Lawrence, who will be leaving under freedom of contract next month.

In contrast, Jimmy Thelin made four changes after last weekend’s defeat in Paisley, with Kevin Nisbet among those who found themselves dropped to the bench. The away section was sold out as usual for this fixture, the Aberdeen fans always keen to visit the home of the club they despise above all others and to inject their own brand of poison into proceedings. There would likely be some of them who saw the match as more important than their trip to Hampden in a fortnight, such is their uniquely twisted view of Rangers FC.

The apathy in the stands was soon repeated on the park when the “action” started. The Rangers 4-4-2 diamond had been created last week as a way to nullify Celtic’s midfield, but in a game where Aberdeen sat back and gave little space, it meant a Rangers team with no width created next to nothing. Their slow tempo, low risk football meant plenty possession but no penetration. In fact, it took a ridiculous 21 minutes for the first attempt on goal, when a Diomande low cross was fired wide at the near post by Dessers. Five minutes later, there was finally a clear chance created when Dessers missed a free header just six yards out after being found by a pinpoint Tavernier cross.

The match was turgid, with the highlights of the first half hour the banners unfurled in the Union Bears section of the Copland stand. “Free Souness” was somewhat jocular, whereas “Jumped the gun and lost the fans. No apology, no surrender” was a more direct (and accurate) summary of what the vast majority of the support thought of the pathetic post-match statement made by the club after the Old Firm game last weekend, and the self-inflicted headlines over a banner that was edgy and topical, but not illegal or shameful.

Liam Kelly made his first save in 27 minutes, a good low stop from Keskinen after the winger was sent through on goal. Six minutes later came the only yellow card of the opening half, Tobers going into the book for a nasty late challenge on Bajrami. The Albanian was as ineffectual as many feared he would be, and with Cerny also struggling to find a creative spark, the match still staggered on towards half-time with little excitement. Then, just as the clock hit 45 minutes, the ball was in the net twice in just over a minute. First, a clever dummy allowed Dessers in on goal, and he found the net with a composed finish. But despite the goal being given by the onfield officials, he was a good yard offside and VAR intervened to disallow his effort. Then, Aberdeen won a free kick 40 yards out, which they played into the Rangers box. Three attackers were in total isolation, with Dabbagh seeing his first effort saved by Kelly before knocking in the rebound from a yard. The Main Stand linesman signalled offside against the Palestinian striker, with VAR then confirming the goal should not stand.

The whistle blew for half-time shortly afterwards, the crowd’s muted reaction in keeping with the tepid match they had watched. Would Barry have seen enough and make changes? He did make one change, and it changed the game. Igamane replaced Bajrami, with the Moroccan going up front beside Dessers and Cerny moving into the tip of the midfield diamond. After surviving a scare in the opening minutes of the half when Aberdeen hit the post, the new Rangers strike force overwhelmed their opponents.

In 54 minutes, a wonderful through ball by man of the match Raskin sent Cerny free, and he beat the outrushing Mitov with a cool low finish. All of a sudden, the mood had changed, and Rangers went from stupor to stupendous. Seven minutes later it was 2-0. Raskin was again the creator, driving down the left, hitting the goal line and sending over a low cross that was knocked home by Dessers from close range. Jefte blazed over moments later as the home team now threatened to run riot.

But this Rangers team aren’t where they are for nothing, no matter how well they play there is always a defensive calamity waiting. It should have been 2-1 shortly afterwards thanks to a shocking pass by Tavernier out of his penalty area, but Kelly rescued his skipper with an excellent save. And with 20 minutes left, Polvara blazed over from six yards after a corner when the goal was gaping.

A minute later, the game was over. Igamane is a player many of us think should be starting. He showed why with a wonderful goal, controlling a poor clearance 20 yards out and firing a superb volley into the bottom corner. The manager rang the changes as the game headed towards the final moments, Kasanwirjo making a first-team comeback, Danilo getting a run out, and Lawrence making what will be one of his last appearances in a Rangers shirt. Mitov made a couple of terrific saves, especially from a thunderous Lawrence free kick, but he was beaten for a fourth time in injury time. Some brilliant interplay in and around the Aberdeen area eventually saw Cerny shoot for goal, the ball then taking a significant deflection off Jefte before nestling in the bottom corner. The tannoy gave the goal to the Brazilian, his first goal for the club.

A game of two halves was over, a dire first 45 followed by an impressive goalscoring second period. Barry has finally a home win to his name, and the fans left the stadium with a smile on their faces. It was obviously far too little and far too late, but no 4-0 win over Aberdeen can be viewed as anything other than satisfactory.

The temporary manager was a happy man afterwards, the monkey of no home wins finally off his back. He spoke of his pleasure at the second half, and of how his team had “run over the top” of an Aberdeen who “were there for the taking” in the opening half. He also praised Raskin, who he thinks is more than just a defensive midfielder and has the ability to impact games further forward. He spoke of some heated discussions with the player in recent times over his best position, something that gave Ferguson great pleasure as Raskin reminded him of himself! He also defended his reasons for not playing the likes of Danilo and Cortes more often, saying he sees them in training and they need to earn a place rather than be given it.

Leon Balogun also spoke to the press, and was especially happy with not just the Ibrox victory but also a rare clean sheet. He made no secret of his desire to stay on at the club, describing himself as a Rangers fan as much as a Rangers player. Who knows if he will be here after the upcoming summer changes, but regardless of who is in the dugout or on the pitch the next time Aberdeen visit the stadium, we would be more than happy with the same scoreline from this afternoon.