Rangers will not have it all their own way if they are to pass stubborn Aberdeen test

Today, Rangers are in action again in the Granite City, where the objective is to kick on from last weekend's Old Firm triumph. How the Ibrox men would love to extend their Premiership lead to a massive 22 points over Celtic, who recklessly shudder from bad to worse, on and off the park. That could be the kicker as far as this season's title quest is concerned.

However, despite those earlier victories, it will be a tough test at Pittodrie - and it comes with injury worries for the Gers. Steven Gerrard will have to orchestrate matters without key midfielders Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield, as well as in-form striker Kemar Roofe.

Rangers chief Gerrard admitted at Friday's press briefing that Jack and Roofe will miss at least the next couple of games, but is confident those who remain are more than capable.

At least one of either Bongani Zungu or Ianis Hagi will start at Pittodrie, with the Light Blues still determined to maintain their incredible unbeaten Premiership record. South African Zungu can potentially supply the grit and know-how normally enjoyed by Jack.

Hagi, meanwhile, made a difference when he came on against Celtic with his directness and the Romanian's eye for goal could cause Aberdeen problems.

It is, naturally, at times like these that Gerrard can rely on Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis for his experience and game intelligence to offset the absentees.

The nature of the task in question will provide the manager with answers he will be looking for, when he reflects upon Rangers' slump this time last year which ended title hopes. Psychologically, a win could, even at this stage, arguably drive a conclusive nail into Celtic's fading hopes of 10 in a row, before they host Hibernian.

Of course, considering their verve this season so far, Rangers are a far more robust outfit than 12 months ago. In terms of mentality, the contrast is acutely sharp.

Whether you relate to the desire to see out the slender margin against Celtic, the previously unrecognisable vigour and scoring feats of captain James Tavernier, the athleticism, shape and flinty 4-3-3 organisation of the overall team, then it's pretty clear that the faith in the methods employed by Gerrard and his backroom staff has been vindicated. And that's before you note how Rangers also have the measure of the Europa League, where they are due to play Royal Antwerp in February's knockout stages.

Yet, wisely, the Gerrard narrative is always fixated on 'taking each game as it comes', as boring as that may sound to an Ibrox support starved of success. The showdown against the Belgians is another, quite different, challenge down the track. A lot can happen before then.

Victory for Rangers today would be every bit as important as that heralded 1-0 win over Celtic. Not only for the obvious aspect that each game is worth three points, irrespective of opposition, but because Aberdeen are a team in good form. Three wins and two draws in their last five games, with only one goal conceded, is sure to give Dons manager Derek McInnes confidence against the League leaders. Indeed, Aberdeen's last League defeat was at Ibrox in November.

Rangers should not be taking anything for granted this afternoon. Their shock League Cup exit to St Mirren was of course, only last month. In fact, today would be timely for Ryan Kent to rejuvenate. The winger has had a slight dip in form lately but has scored twice against Aberdeen this term.

Despite those injury setbacks - inevitable features of a season's grind - Gerrard's men, having had a full week to prepare, are capable of getting their business done. They will, though, have to do it the hard way.