Tavernier double helps Rangers beat Aberdeen

Two James Tavernier penalties gave Rangers victory over Aberdeen to again delay Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title celebrations.

Andrew Considine was sent off for the visitors as Steven Gerrard’s side ensured they will finish in the top two for the first time since 2012.

Tavernier scored his first spot-kick after Lewis Ferguson was adjudged to have fouled Nikola Katic. Later, after Considine received a second yellow card for an elbow on Katic, Tavernier took his penalty tally to 14 for the season.

Aberdeen were unhappy with a number of refereeing decisions, with Jermain Defoe escaping any action for leading with his arm in a challenge with goalkeeper Joe Lewis in the first half.

Rangers’ win – their first in four attempts against Aberdeen in Glasgow this season – moves the Ibrox side back to nine points behind Celtic with three games to go.

The result also means Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen will not finish second for the first time in five seasons.

Rangers defender Jon Flanagan had branded Aberdeen a long-ball team in the build-up. And, devoid of width due to injuries, and with their only winger Connor McLennan hobbling off early in the game, Aberdeen were in little mood to prove him wrong.