Lawrence Shankland's penalty proved decisive as Rangers secured a 1-0 win at Aberdeen, their first Scottish Premiership win of the season, after the home side were denied a late equaliser by VAR at Pittodrie, easing the pressure on Derek Mc Innes. The Gers skipper fired his penalty right into the top corner, stepping up after Djeidi Gassama was brought down in the penalty area by Daniel Happe deep into the second half. Aberdeen thought they had found an equaliser when in-form Kevin Nisbet headed home what would have been his 10th goal of the season, only for VAR to rule the striker offside as the ball was played to him, despite suggestions of a push on Dujon Sterling.

Rangers had the best chance of the game before taking the lead, with Afeez Aremu producing a huge goal-line clearance in the 38th minute. It had been a bruising week for Rangers, who saw their European campaign come to an abrupt end after defeat on penalties to Jablonec in midweek. With just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership games, the pressure had been building on Mc Innes.

The new Rangers boss desperately needed a response at Pittodrie and, despite another testing afternoon, his side delivered it against his former employers.