Rangers can taste title after victory

Aberdeen slipped to a third consecutive away defeat as champions-elect Rangers eased to a 3-1 victory at Ibrox.

Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Kenny Miller were on target for the leaders, with a Darren Mackie goal nothing more than scant consolation for the Dons as Rangers moved 13 points clear at the top of the table.

Walter Smith's men started well and claimed a deserved lead after 24 minutes as Davis thundered a ferocious shot past Jamie Langfield from 25 yards.

Lafferty added a fine second 20 minutes into the second half, the forward collecting from Davis and setting off on a surging run into the box before slotting low into the bottom corner.

But the Dons pulled a goal back just three minutes later when Steven MacLean dinked a cross over Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Mackie beat Steven Whittaker to the ball to slide over the line.

Those celebrations were short-lived and hopes of a Dons comeback were dealt a blow as Rangers claimed their third of the night with 15 minutes to go. A Davis corner found Danny Wilson and the youngster nodded on for Miller to lash beyond the grasp of Langfield and all but secure the points for Walter Smith's men.