Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Rangers inflicted Aberdeen's biggest defeat since December 2010 and moved to within one point of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

With Celtic dropping points earlier in the day to Hibernian, Steven Gerrard's side took full advantage in a dominant performance at Ibrox.

James Tavernier scored two penalties, while Greg Stewart scored his first goal for the club.

Alfredo Morelos and substitute Jermain Defoe heaped more misery on the Dons.

It compounds a miserable week for Derek McInnes' side, who lost 5-0 to hearts almost five years ago, as they were knocked out of the League Cup on penalties on Wednesday by the Tynecastle side.

Stewart haunts old club

Morelos was sent off three times against Aberdeen last season and Rangers only beat the Dons twice in seven meetings, but there was no sign of trouble for the hosts this time in a one-sided encounter.

Aberdeen had seven players out injured, and that grew to eight pre-match when Andrew Considine dropped out, but the manner of the performance will still alarm manager McInnes.

Rangers were on top well before Zak Vyner went in late on Morelos in the box, and Tavernier sent goalkeeper Joe Lewis the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Stewart, who had a second loan spell at Aberdeen last season, shone on his first league start since moving from Birmingham.

He tapped in his first goal for the club on the rebound after Lewis had made a terrific save from his initial header.

And he could have had more. His 20-yard strike was saved before he hit a post from Steven Davis' lofted pass.

Morelos headed in a third from six yards out, before Arfield had a goal-bound shot deflected over by Greg Leigh as the one-way traffic continued.

Stewart then won a second penalty for Rangers when Leigh clumsily bundled into him, which Tavernier converted to make it four.

And Stewart continued to cause havoc; going close with two curlers. But a fifth was coming and Defoe strolled through the Aberdeen defence before lobbing Lewis.