Ibrox club Rangers beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Goals from Danny Wilson and Josh Windass saw the Gers earn their second win over Derek McInnes’ side within the space of five days, after beating the Dons 3-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday evening.
Rangers adopted the same formation that saw them control Wednesday night’s match, playing Ross McCrorie behind Jason Holt and Ryan Jack, while Carlos Pena slotted into the number 10 role behind Kenny Miller and Windass.
Speaking to Sportscene after the match, former Hibernian and Hearts midfielder Stewart claimed Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean were outnumbered and afforded Ryan Jack too much space – allowing the Gers to dominate.
“Very much like they did during the week, they had a midfield diamond,” Stewart said. “Shinnie and McLean were outnumbered a lot. Ryan Jack had too much space, he had all the time in the world to spray it out wide.
“Rangers were able to get on the front foot. The Aberdeen midfield was so stretched, couldn’t get near them and were being pulled all over the place. McInnes wanted his wide players to dominate and impose their game on top of Rangers.
“They didn’t do that, and in the process it meant they were outnumbered in the middle of the park and Rangers dominated from there.”
Jack, who signed for Rangers in the summer after leaving Aberdeen, was shown his fourth red card of the season for a challenge on Stevie May in the second half – two of which have been rescinded.
Rangers leapfrogged Aberdeen into second place behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, with Murty’s tactical masterclass proving enough to win his fourth game of his interim spell in charge.
Now, the Gers will be looking to regroup ahead of Saturday’s league match against Ross County at Ibrox, as they look to secure a third win in a row and close the gap between themselves and Brendan Rodgers’ side.
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