James Tavernier was Rangers’ Hampden hero as he fired them to their first Scottish League Cup triumph in over a decade.
The Ibrox captain’s second-half strike was enough to secure cup final glory in a scrappy match at the national stadium.
Wet and blustery conditions saw both sides struggle to produce much quality as both passed up opportunities to take the lead.
Ross McCausland and Cyriel Dessers came close for Philippe Clement’s men while Ester Solker should have done better for the Dons at 0-0.
Rangers’ win sees the Viaplay Cup return to Ibrox for the first time since 2011 as Clement secures a trophy at the first attempt.
How Clement secured his first Rangers trophy
It was a frantic start as John Lundstram clattered into a challenge on Jamie McGrath early on before Stefan Gartenmann brought down Abdallah Sima just outside the Aberdeen box.
The resulting free-kick fell to Dujon Sterling, but McGrath was there to divert the ball over the bar.
With the rain swirling around Hampden Park the game lacked real quality with both sides failing to create any real chances in the first half-hour.
Sima then picked up the ball on the edge of the box, turned and fired towards the Dons goal only for Kelle Roos to comfortably save.
Borna Barisic then sent in a cross but Ross McCausland headed wide of the target as Rangers tried to break the deadlock.
At the other end, Gartenmann got his head to a corner but he too put it past the post.
Cyriel Dessers is dejected as his shot at goal is saved by Kelle Roos
Rangers began to look more threatening and McCausland volleyed in before the break, but referee Don Robertson had already blown for a foul on Nicky Devlin in the build-up with Leon Balogun then sending another chance wide.
Aberdeen then had a glimmer of hope at the other end but Gartenmann could not connect with the ball.
Barry Robson’s side passed up a brilliant chance to take the lead after the break. Devlin sent in a brilliant cross to Ester Solker who somehow failed to make contact.
It was then Roos to the rescue as he tipped McCausland’s effort behind for a corner before saving Dessers’ powerful close-range strike.
Tavernier scores the winning goal
The Aberdeen keeper then saved James Tavernier’s free-kick before pushing another past the post.
With Rangers continuing to press, Balogun should have done better when the ball fell to him in the box but he sent his effort high over the bar.
They did finally take advantage in the 77th minute as Tavernier slammed in off the post from Barisic’s cross as the Rangers support erupted.
Rangers’ Borna Barisic confronts Aberdeen’s Slobodan Rubezic
Tensions were high as Aberdeen tried to find a way back in the closing stages and a brawl broke out in the Dons net as Jack Butland gathered.
Bookings were handed out but there was no time for a response as Rangers secured their first trophy since the Scottish Cup in 2021.
What’s next?
Rangers’ return to Scottish Premiership action on Wednesday at home to St Johnstone, with Aberdeen host Livingston on the same night.
Both games kick-off 7.45pm.
