Aberdeen dented Rangers’ title challenge at Ibrox as the third meeting of the sides this season ended in stalemate.
There may have been no goals but there were chances for both sides as a competitive encounter ended with neither side managing to find a way past the respective goalkeepers.
The Dons named deadline day signing Ronald Hernandez among the substitutes following his move from Stabaek. Manager Derek McInnes named an unchanged starting 11 from the goalless draw at St Mirren last Sunday.
Rnagers made two changes from their 2-0 midweek win against Ross County with Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos replacing Sheyi Ojo and the injured Jermain Defoe.
Fit-again captain James Tavernier was joined on the bench by new signings Ianis Hagi and Flo Kamberi.
In a tense first half Aberdeen’s best chance fell to Sam Cosgrove when he robbed Nikola Katic of possession just inside the Rangers half before racing clear on goal but his touch was heavy and Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor was able to smother the ball before the striker could get his shot away.
Rangers had two clear chances, both of which were saved by Joe Lewis.
His first was an excellent effort as he dived low to his right to turn a Steven Davis drive past the post while his second was an instinctive block to keep out Scott Arfield’s header from a Davis corner.
Lewis made two further blocks in the second half to deny Morelos and Borna Barisic but it was not one-way traffic by any means as McGregor was called into action too.
He saved from substitute Jon Gallagher and Ash Taylor as the Dons tried to find a late winner but in the end neither goalkeeper could be beaten.
