I witnessed a comical moment with hooded Union Bears trying to reach their vocal limits in falsetto.

Rangers fans may have found an unlikely new anthem, but Derek McInnes’ side are still searching for the perfect tune.

Watching the Rangers support at Hampden on Saturday produced a sight as hooded Union Bears figures attempted to hit the high notes of Erasure’s A Little Respect. The song has become a popular choice among the Ibrox faithful, with the lyric “I’m so in love with you, I’ll be forever blue” providing the attraction.

It was amusing to watch supporters attempt the falsetto made famous by Erasure singer Andy Bell as the song reached its highest point. Their efforts did not always land perfectly, but perhaps that was appropriate given Rangers’ performance against Aberdeen was hardly flawless either.

Rangers fans at Hampden (Image: Jamie Johnston/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock )

McInnes earns another victory

Rangers eventually secured a 1-0 win over Aberdeen to reach the Premier Sports Cup final, recording their ninth victory in their last 11 matches. Ryan Naderi provided the decisive moment late in the contest, keeping Rangers’ hopes of silverware alive.

However, the performance was far from harmonious. Rangers struggled to find the necessary tempo and attacking sharpness, much as they had during recent draws against Dundee and Hearts.

Aberdeen defended stubbornly and, had they shown more quality when opportunities arrived, they might have pushed the semi-final into extra time. Rangers spent long periods trying to find a way through a crowded Aberdeen penalty area, while frustration could be heard from sections of the support.

There were plenty of grumbles from fans, but McInnes can point to an increasingly impressive run of results. Since Rangers’ European elimination by Jablonec, the team have developed a resilience that is helping them win matches even when their football is not particularly attractive.

That raises a question for the Rangers support: would they rather watch spectacular football or see their team collect victories?

Nico Raskin and players of Rangers thank fans at Hampden(Image: Jamie Johnston/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock)

Trusting McInnes’ approach

It is worth remembering that Rangers appointed Russell Martin only a little over a year ago after the club’s new American ownership attempted to make an ambitious first managerial appointment. Martin promised to deliver attractive football alongside results, but his spell ended without him establishing either.

McInnes has made no grand claims about producing dazzling football. Instead, he promised to make Rangers more competitive. His recent results suggest that he is delivering on that commitment.

The manager also recently reflected on the influence of his former mentor Walter Smith, whose death five years ago prompted McInnes to speak about the wisdom that helped shape his career as both a player and manager.

There are already signs that some of Smith’s most important characteristics are appearing in the current Rangers team. Smith’s great sides of the 1990s possessed exceptional individual talent, with players such as Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Ally McCoist, but they were also renowned for their determination and ability to grind out victories.

McInnes does not have comparable individual quality at his disposal, yet he appears to be building a team with similar resilience.

Ryan Naderi celebrates scoring for Rangers(Image: SNS Group)

Naderi embodies the new Rangers

Ryan Naderi is perhaps the clearest example of that mentality.

Minsu Kim and Badredine Bouanani offer more flair and imagination, but Naderi has become the player producing the outcomes Rangers need. His latest goal took his season tally to eight goals and five assists from 16 appearances.

Few of those contributions are likely to win individual awards for spectacular technique, but they are proving extremely valuable to McInnes.

Naderi even joked after the Aberdeen match that he should probably continue shooting from inside the penalty area. His frustration came after two long-range attempts failed to trouble the target during a first half in which Aberdeen remained disciplined.

Robinson makes Rangers work

Aberdeen arrived at Hampden after a difficult spell, having won only once in their previous five matches. Yet manager Stephen Robinson has built a reputation for making his teams difficult opponents in major fixtures, and his tactical approach again caused Rangers problems.

Aberdeen adopted a well-organised 5-3-2 formation and remained compact, making it difficult for Rangers to find spaces between the lines.

For periods, Rangers played directly into Aberdeen’s hands. They frequently sent long passes forward too early, allowing Jack Milne to dominate aerial challenges. Crosses were also delivered too quickly from promising positions when greater patience might have produced better opportunities.

Bouanani looked Rangers’ most dangerous attacking player from the beginning, but his threat was reduced because Dujon Sterling appeared unable to provide the consistent overlapping support needed from behind him.

With Bouanani drifting inside from the right, Aberdeen could narrow their defensive shape and reduce the available space.

Neil changes the tempo

The game only began to change when Dan Neil was introduced shortly after the hour mark. His absence from the starting XI had been notable, particularly because Penrice had been used in central midfield instead.

Neil brought greater calm and control to Rangers’ possession, helping them move the ball with more purpose.

Even then, Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Muller repeatedly frustrated the visitors, producing a series of saves to keep his team level.

Eventually, though, Rangers found their breakthrough six minutes before full-time. Penrice’s effort was not struck cleanly, but Naderi reacted quickest to poke the ball beyond Muller.

It was not a spectacular goal, but it perfectly represented the current Rangers under McInnes: determined, persistent and prepared to find another route to victory.

First final awaits

The victory sends McInnes into his first final as Rangers manager, and the next challenge is considerably bigger.

Rangers will return to Hampden on December 13 with the opportunity to lift the Premier Sports Cup. The performance against Aberdeen may not have provided the entertainment some supporters crave, but the result was ultimately what mattered.

The new A Little Respect anthem may need some vocal improvement from the stands, while McInnes’ football may need polishing on the pitch. Yet Rangers are winning, building confidence and developing the toughness required for a successful campaign.

If McInnes can guide his side to victory in the final, the supporters at Ibrox may have only one thing left to sing: the manager’s praises.