Sunday’s match marked the first meeting between the two sides since January 2012.
When the league fixtures were announced four months ago, this is the match Aberdeen fans would have first looked out for.
The hatred between the Dons and Rangers is so strong, and become almost as toxic as the Old Firm at times.
The rivalry stretches back for almost 30 years, with one of the triggers being Neil Simpson’s horrific tackle on Ian Durrant in 1988, which was referenced in the vandalism caused by the Aberdeen supporters on the Rangers team bus before the contest.
Since then, these games have witnessed some dreadful scenes in the stands, and at Pittodrie on Sunday, there was more trouble.
It took less than a minute for the Aberdeen fans to shift their focus from play to the away section in the South Stand. “You’re not Rangers any more,” belted around the famous old ground as the much anticipated action got underway.
Knowing that Aberdeen supporters had organised a minute’s applause in the in the 12th minute –- in reference to the year Rangers were placed into liquidation –- in order to “welcome Rangers to Pittodrie for the first time” the visitors tried to lessen the impact of it.
The 2000 followers from Glasgow are no strangers to such abuse, and responded raucously, keeping up the noise throughout proceedings.
‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ both received an airing, yet the undeterred home faithful rose as one to clap their ‘new’ opponents.
Though, the humorous tone of the mockery unsurprisingly turned sour. It had goaded the Gers fans, who belted out the ‘Billy Boys’ as perilous scenes ensued.
Police reinforcements quickly arrived to thwart the angry away travelling, in which some needed to be physically restrained, from throwing more missiles, which were hurled back in the opposite direction.
“You’re only here to see the Rangers,” roared the provoked Bears, in possibly the only chant the majority of the packed out Pittodrie crowd could agree with, even if it wouldn’t be admitted.
Their side had bossed a scrappy opening half, unfortunate to be heading into the break still goalless.
Yet only 20 seconds after the restart, Jonny Hayes set the game alight, pouncing on a defensive calamity to make life a whole lot better for the Dons.
With 11 minutes remaining, the Irishman turned hero to villain, grabbing a fistful of Lee Wallace’s shirt, taking down the visiting captain. Andy Halliday dispatched the spot-kick for a deserved equaliser.
But the joy in the away end was short-lived. In the dying moments, James Tavernier was judged to have brought down the opening goalscorer 25 yards out. Mark Warburton rallied against the decision; McInnes unsurprisingly did not.
What was beyond argument was the beauty that followed. James Maddison stood over it and launched the most sumptuous effort over the wall and into the net via the inside of the helpless Wes Foderingham’s left-hand post. Totally worthy of a winner.
Badly received, a seat was ripped out and hurled through the air in another act of rebuke.
Aberdeen have, much to their annoyance, watched the fall and laborious rise of their detested rivals from afar for nearly five years.
They were, then, always going to use the first meeting with Rangers since their meltdown to revel in the misfortunes which have befallen their opponents since 2012. And that they did.
For all the nastiness, there is absolutely no doubt this great fixture has been missed.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
