On a frigid evening at Ibrox, where each step required caution, Danny Rohl’s team exhibited confident progress in their journey forward.

Just days after a triumphant victory at Celtic Park, Rangers’ head coach was well aware of the potential pitfalls awaiting them on this occasion.

Remarkably, his squad showed they are well-equipped to handle the surge of excitement following a derby win.

Rohl’s league record now stands at 10 victories, two draws, and a single loss. While not every match has dazzled, the fans are far from complaining, especially after enduring lackluster performances under Russell Martin.

Following four consecutive wins since their setback at Tynecastle, the gap with Hearts has shrunk to three points, though they’ve played one more match than the leaders.

Danny Rohl watched his side narrow the gap at the top on Hearts to just three points

Manny Fernandez took advantage of poor goalkeeping from Dimitar Mitov to score

Rangers defender Fernandez celebrates his fifth goal of the season after grabbing the opener

After a winless streak in their first five league matches under the previous manager, Rangers have firmly entrenched themselves in the title chase. For the first time in this campaign, they have overtaken Celtic in the standings.

While there remains much scope for improvement, the last few weeks have been night and day from the early struggles of August. There’s now a confidence to the side.

They played with a tempo and authority here especially in the first half, passing effectively and producing a slew of chances from open play.

For all that, their two goals – scored by Manny Fernandez and Nico Raskin – stemmed from corner kicks delivered by Connor Barron which were straight off the training ground.

Scott Fry, who came into Ibrox as set piece coach in November, is earning his corn. His input might be worth some valuable points as this season comes to the boil.

Aberdeen are drifting. This was their fifth loss in six matches and they could have had no complaints. A spirited finish to the match will have fooled no one.

Unless Peter Leven or the next incumbent can get a tune out of an underperforming squad, the top six will soon be beyond them.

For all Kenan Bilalovic had a couple of horrendous misses in the first half, the truth is that they were second best all over the field most of the evening. Their confidence looks shot to pieces.

Nico Raskin made it 2-0 to Rangers with another header from another corner 

Dimitar Mitov won’t look back on this night with any fondness either. He was badly at fault for the opening goal when he stumbled at the key moment and may feel he should also have got a glove on the second.

Rohl brought James Tavernier and Mohamed Diomande back into the fold. Thelo Aasgaard and Dujon Sterling sat it out.

Leven made four changes from the loss at Falkirk which ultimately cost Thelin his job. Nicky Devlin, Dante Polvara, Kjartan Mar Kjartansson and Emmanuel Gyamfi were drafted in. Out went Dylan Lobban, Adil Aouchiche,Topi Keskinen and Jesper Karlsson.

Mitov is a fine shot stopper. It’s fair to say taking cross balls isn’t the Aberdeen keeper’s strong point.

The Bulgarian survived an early scare before his Achilles heel gifted Rangers the opener. James Tavernier’s free-kick simply slipped through his grasp. Barron was only denied a goal against his former club by the keeper’s outstretched leg. It set a tone.

Within seconds, Raskin slipped in Mikey Moore. While Devlin produced a timely block, you already felt the opener was in the post.

It was a desperate concession from Mitov’s perspective. Barron’s corner invited him to make a connection with his fist. Instead, he tripped over his own feet. Credit to Fernandez who maintained his concentration and headed home. That’s five goals for the centre-half by January, a fine return.

The first of Bilalovic’s mishaps then arrived. Sent clear by Polvara’s excellent pass, he took a dreadful first touch and watched the ball roll past Jack Butland’s goal. He was fortunate to escape a booking for hammering a spare ball into the crowd.

Raskin’s goal was enough to secure the victory for Rangers, who face Aberdeen again at the weekend

His confidence clearly shattered, the Swede fared no better when Kevin Nisbet made the right choice to square the ball to him with John Souttar the only home defender in shot. Again, awful control saw the ball slide under his foot and the chance go up in smoke.

Rangers continued to control the game. Tavernier picked Graeme Shinnie’s pocket on the edge of the Dons’ box. This time Mitov dived to his left to gather.

Aberdeen were making poor fouls all over the park. Kjartansson’s senseless shove on Jayden Meghoma allowed Tavernier to try his luck from 25 yards. Mitov flicked to over.

Rangers were deserving of a second goal to take back to the dressing room. It came from the same source as the first.

Barron’s corner wasn’t as deep as the one that had earlier done the damage. Raskin knew where it was going. The Belgian dashed towards the front post and headed it on target. The ball flew through Mitov’s arms.

Leven would have been a little relieved that it might have been worse. Raskin connected with another Tavernier delivery on the stroke of half-time. This time, his header flew narrowly over.

This was all far too easy from the Dons’ perspective. They gave up cheap possession all night and didn’t do nearly enough to stop their opponents in their tracks.

Shinnie was fortunate that his feeble attempt to hold off Tavernier in the second period ended with the skipper firing over Mitov’s bar.

Peter Leven will have plenty to ponder ahead of Sunday’s league match at Pittodrie

Aasgaard, who’d replaced Moore at the interval, saw the keeper deny him after Diomande had carried the ball 20 yards. Barron fired the rebound over.

Rangers’ levels dropped in the second period. Butland did well to tip away Nisbet’s header from Leighton Clarkson’s cross. The keeper was less convincing as Polvara headed wide from the resultant corner after he misjudged the fought of the ball.

There remained, however, a lack of conviction about everything Leven’s side did.

A third Rangers’ goal always felt more likely than Aberdeen halving the deficit. Danilo was only prevented from finding it when Jack Milne stooped to block just moments after the Brazilian had taken the field.

To give him his dues, the save of the night belonged to Mitov when he stretched to prevent Raskin’s curler finding the top corner.

Two excellent sliding blocks from Fernandez ensured Karlsson then Clarkson didn’t make the final moments a little more interesting.

Rangers deservedly march on to Pittodrie on Sunday. Play like this and there will only be one outcome.