Aberdeen 2

Rangers 3

THE perfect tonic after a traumatic week? Well, not quite. Alex McLeish was entitled to his exaggerated sigh of relief after eking out victory on an old stomping ground, but far from curing his ills, Saturday afternoon in Aberdeen only added to them.

Rangers reinforced their Premierleague prominence with a narrow victory which belied the chasm in class but after their failure to capitalise on home advantage against FC Copenhagen and the revelations of Barry Ferguson's unhappiness - ''it was like a death in the family'' - the Rangers manager had hoped for a hassle-free return to the north east. Hoped, not expected.

It was with a heavy heart and a degree of helplessness that he sanctioned the sale of Neil McCann to Southampton two weeks ago. With the club requiring to service a debt which may have risen to (pounds) 65m, it is understood that McLeish was instructed to accept one of two offers on the table: one for McCann and another for Fernando Ricksen.

With the Dutchman an integral part of his team whether in defence or midfield, the decision was made easier by the provision of left-sided attackers. McLeish could be forgiven for harbouring a persecution complex since the fates, as well as the banks, appear to be conspiring against him.

Peter Lovenkrands, the man who had consigned McCann to the periphery, is likely to spend at least six weeks recovering from medial knee damage sustained little more than

a half-hour into Saturday's match. His left knee buckled under an awkward but accidental challenge from Russell Anderson and left the Dane writhing in agony before he was carted off on a stretcher.

He will now be missing for arguably the biggest match in Rangers' history, next midweek's Champions League preliminary second leg against FC Copenhagen. Ronald de Boer may also be out: despite his headed equaliser, he is still hampered by an Achilles problem and had to be substituted just 10 minutes after half-time.

Failure to overcome the 1-1 draw at Ibrox could have catastrophic consequences with a minimum of (pounds) 10m at stake for qualification. It will require the gutsiest of performances to overcome the odds which have stacked up against them on almost a daily basis since last Wednesday. Craig Moore remains a major concern after hurting a hamstring against the Danish champions and the lack of aerial expertise was exposed by an Aberdeen side who soldiered to a 3-2 defeat when a crushing seemed on the cards.

Henning Berg's lack of match practice was evident when David Zdrilic reacted quickest to Jamie McQuilken's searching pass. Though Stefan Klos blocked his shot, the goalkeeper was helpless as the rebound cannoned off the striker's head and nestled in the net. It was Berg's only error but one that cannot afford to be repeated around Sibusiso Zuma and co.

While Zdrilic was a constant menace alongside the lumbering Scott Booth, Michael Mols enjoyed his finest game for Rangers under Alex McLeish. Where previously he has shone in spurts or, as was the case against FCK, been utterly anonymous, the Dutchman proved that he can reattain the standards set in the months prior to his cruciate ligament injury.

He gave a masterclass in forward play; holding the ball

up despite close attention, rolling defenders with that unstoppable hip-swivel, and creating and finishing with an assurance which has only recently returned.

It was a tackle from behind on Mols by Phil McGuire which instigated Rangers' comeback. Michael Ball, who gave another flawless performance, rocketed the resulting free-kick off the crossbar and de Boer reacted to head home the rebound.

What followed was a moment of mesmerising close control. Mols, with four redkitted stewards blocking his path to goal, danced his way to freedom with the ball never a couple of inches from his feet and laid the ball to Mikel Arteta, who gave Rangers the lead with his third goal of the season.

A pre-interval brouhaha involving Ball, McGuire, and a crowd of cameos kept Mike McCurry busy while a mindless moron brought further shame to this fixture as he ran half the length of the park to confront Ricksen - public enemy No.1 in Aberdeen since ''sorting out'' Darren Young three years ago - before being swarmed by the local constabulary.

The club's chief executive, Keith Wyness, made all the right noises afterwards while the hooligan was detained by the police. Mindlessness was not the sole preserve of this prat, though, with a section of the visiting support vandalising seats. These people are allowed to vote and raise children.

Amid all this nonsense, the Aberdeen defence were simply run off their feet by Mols in the second half. His reward was reaped in trademark fashion, accepting Ricksen's pass, feigning left, turning right, and sliding the ball into the corner of the net. Mols could have had a hat trick, Arteta likewise, while substitutes Bob Malcolm and Paolo Vanoli ought to have added sheen to the scoreline. Instead, Aberdeen rounded off the scoring in a moment which exemplified Rangers' fragility.

Zdrilic's effort was cleared off the line by Ball but only as far as the unattended Eric Deloumeaux, who sent the ball towards the top right-hand corner. Arteta, guarding the post, got a head to it from behind the goalline. The first instinct was that the ball had crossed the line but television showed that only three-quarters did.

McLeish was just glad to get it over with and singled out Ferguson, who has now attracted interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City as well as Blackburn Rovers, for special praise after a hotel heart-to-heart on Friday night.

''I spoke to Barry and I know he's troubled. I thought he played brilliantly and until such time as something happens, he is in a great position with a great contract.''

Troubled? He should spend a day in his manager's shoes.