Three and easy for Rangers

Darren Young and Russell Latapy clash

Aberdeen 0-3 Rangers

An impressive second half display from Rangers gave the Ibrox side the perfect start to the new league campaign as they recorded a comfortable win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Goals from new signings Christian Nerlinger, Russell Latapy and Claudio Caniggia were enough to sweep aside a pedestrian home side.

The visitors upped a gear after a disappointing opening half and Aberdeen's youngsters simply couldn't live with Rangers' superior passing game.

Rangers made changes from the side that gained victory in Slovenia in midweek.

Weak shot

Tore Andre Flo was left out as a precautionary measure as the facial injury picked up in Scandinavia is still troubling him.

That allowed Michael Mols a start, while Tony Vidmar was drafted in to replace the injured Lorenzo Amoruso.

Aberdeen gave a debut to sole summer signing Roberto Bisconti, the Belgian midfielder signed on a free transfer from Charleroi.

Bert Konterman and Cato Guntveit

A first-minute mistake by Philip McGuire let Claudio Caniggia in but his first time shot was weak and straight at David Preece.

But there was danger at the other end when Robbie Winters' corner bounced in the box and a succession of red shirts were inches away from connecting, with Darren Mackie flinging himself forward in vain.

A bad tempered first half fizzled out with neither side making much headway in front of goal.

Aberdeen demanded a penalty in the 49th minute when Darren Young's attempt at a cross hit Vidmar's arm but play was allowed to continue.

Bundled over

Winters fired a snapshot off target before Rangers brought on Kenny Miller for Mols in the 53rd minute.

Rangers were in front two minutes later when Nerlinger crashed a ferocious drive past Preece from the edge of the box.

In the 65th minute Numan was replaced by young midfielder Stephen Hughes, with Konterman dropping back into defence.

In the 67th minute Mackie was replaced by Kevin Rutkiewicz.

Caniggia then put Miller through, Preece saved and when Caniggia latched on to the loose ball Bisconti bundled him over. A penalty was awarded and expertly despatched by Latapy to put Rangers 2-0 ahead.

Caniggia was on the scoreshoot three minutes later when he pounced at the back post.

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Aberdeen: Preece, McNaughton, Solberg, Whyte, McGuire, Bisconti, Guntveit, Darren Young, Mackie, Derek Young, Winters. Subs: Esson, McAllister, Belabed, Clark, Rutkiewicz.

Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Vidmar, Numan, Reyna, Latapy, Konterman, Nerlinger, Caniggia, Mols. Subs: Christiansen, Miller, Ross, McCann, Hughes.

Referee: W Young (Scotland)