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Derek McInnes comments on Rangers’ title chances after 5-0 thrashing

Derek McInnes rangers
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes prior to the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg match between Aberdeen FC and Rijeka at Pittodrie ...
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Steven Gerrard’s Rangers battered Aberdeen 5-0 in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox with Greg Stewart, Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe all scoring.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes prior to the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg match between Aberdeen FC and Rijeka at Pittodrie Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Aberdeen,...

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has admitted that a rampant Rangers were ‘very good’ as they battered his Aberdeen side 5-0 on Saturday and believes Steven Gerrard’s side could genuinely fight for the title this season, speaking to the Scottish Sun.

The Gers produced arguably their finest attacking performance of the Scottish Premiership season as they battered The Dons and moved to within a point of Celtic at the top of the table.

Greg Stewart, making a rare start against his former club, was in inspired form as he hit the target alongside fellow strikers Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe. James Tavernier, meanwhile, had missed his last two penalties before Aberdeen came to town but silenced the doubters with a pair of pinpoint strikes from 12 yards.

In truth, it was the sort of performance which shows how far Rangers have come since Gerrard took over from the hapless Pedro Caixinha in 2018 and McInnes was gracious in defeat, even if he felt his side could have done a lot more to stop the rout in it’s tracks.

“Rangers were very good but they were allowed to be better than I’d have liked. You saw the gulf in quality and experience at times,” said McInnes, who famously turned down the Ibrox job in December 2017 (the Telegraph).

“If Rangers and Celtic are recruiting well and spending their money wisely, with their good managers in place, they will fight it out at the top. You could see Rangers are in a good place with a good manager.

Steven Gerrard, Manager of Rangers FC looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League group G match between Rangers FC and Feyenoord at Ibrox Stadium on September 19, 2019 in Glasgow, United...

“They have spent the money well in their squad and they will be up challenging Celtic a bit longer this season.”

Rangers certainly feel like the real deal this season after another summer of intelligent recruitment, bringing in the likes of Filip Helander, Stewart and Joe Aribo to strengthen Gerrard’s squad.

In fact, if the Gers had avoided that disappointing defeat at home to Celtic in August, they would be top right now.

Alfredo Morelos of Rangers celebrates scoring the winning goal during the UEFA Europa League Play Off First Leg match between Rangers FC and Legia Warsaw at Ibrox Stadium on August 29,...