Kenny Miller goal against Aberdeen extinguishes Rangers' title doubts

If it has been clear to even passive onlookers for months that Rangers are destined to successfully defend their Scottish Premier League title, this felt like the occasion that the Ibrox crowd firmly believed that triumph is imminent. Matches between Rangers and Aberdeen seldom lack bite. Nonetheless, the level of celebration as Kyle Lafferty sauntered through the visiting defence before firing home Rangers' second goal illustrated that this was a meaningful result. "Championees", for the first time, was the overwhelming cry from the masses. Some anxious moments followed Darren Mackie's unlikely Aberdeen goal but nobody could question the merits of this result. Kenny Miller's close-range strike, 14 minutes from time after Danny Wilson headed a Steven Naismith corner into his path merely endorsed his side's dominance. In blunt statistical terms, Rangers are now just two wins from the title. Aberdeen are not safe from the perils of relegation just yet, as they know all too well. This Rangers' canter to the championship had brought its own recent troubles. Last midweek's thumping by St Johnstone, coupled with an unconvincing win over Hamilton on Saturday, hinted that complacency may be at work within Ibrox. This encounter marked Rangers' opportunity to prove they could surge, rather than stumble, over the finishing line. Aberdeen's generally dismal form under the management of Mark McGhee is at odds with their recent showings against Rangers. Walter Smith's team had not scored against this opposition in two meetings this season, Aberdeen inflicting one of only two SPL losses for Rangers in this campaign last November. Smith's response to what constitutes a goal drought for the prolific Kris Boyd – he had gone five games without a goal – was to drop the striker to among Rangers' substitutes here. Boyd, like the rest of the home contingent, could only applaud as Steven Davis sent Rangers in front. The midfielder, who has proved himself one of the finest performers in Scottish football, answered criticism that his talent is not fully replicated in goal-scoring with a superb, curling finish from 25 yards. The visitors' reply for the remainder of the first half was not so much lame, as non-existent. The men from the north improved marginally after the interval, without creating trouble for the Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor. The identity of Rangers' second scorer was a surprise, as Lafferty has not had his troubles to seek this season amid a run of inauspicious form. His goal, planted into Jamie Langfield's bottom right-hand corner after a 30-yard run, was a rare moment of brilliance. Aberdeen's immediate riposte to Lafferty's intervention was more straightforward, the forward Mackie bundling over the line from close range after McGregor failed to cut out a Steven MacLean pass.