Our performance against Aberdeen must be the norm, says Graeme Murty

The Ibrox caretaker watched his team take Aberdeen apart in a surprisingly one-sided 3-0 win at Ibrox.

James Tavernier struck twice, while Carlos Pena marked his first appearance in a month with a goal as the Light Blues' closed to within three points of the Dons.

And Murty now wants a repeat of that hungry display - starting on Sunday when they meet Derek McInnes' men at Pittodrie for part two of their double-header.

"It has to be the benchmark," said Murty. "That level of intensity, that grit, that fight and that level of quality.

"You saw all those aspects from the team tonight.

"It's a helluva standard to live up to but if you want to play in this team that's the level you need to get to."

Murty had demanded his players respond after defeats against Hamilton and Dundee.

But there was little sign of the sloppiness they showed in those games as they put in their best performance of the campaign so far.

Tavernier gave Gers the perfect start when he slotted home from the penalty spot after Greg Tansey's clumsy foul on Jason Holt after seven minutes.

Pena then tucked home his fifth goal in 10 games just before the half-hour mark, with Tavernier sealing victory 20 minutes from time with a close-range finish.

The right-back was handed the sponsor's man of the match prize but Murty made special mention of youngster Ross McCrorie after asking him to fill an unfamiliar anchor role in his midfield diamond.

"In the big games you are looking for the big characters and I didn't think anyone stood up any bigger than a young lad called Ross McCrorie," said Murty.

"For a man of his tender years to put in that kind of performance in a position he's not too familiar with was exceptional. I thought he was outstanding."

McInnes - who insists he is happy to stay put at Pittodrie amid links to the Ibrox vacancy - was left furious with his team as they failed to match their own high standards.

But the Dons boss has promised it will be a different story come the weekend.

However, he will have to do with Ryan Christie, who was sent-off late on after collecting two bookings, while Gary Mackay-Steven is also a doubt after picking up a knock.

McInnes said: "I expect a more complete performance on Sunday. I expect us to impose ourselves far better than we did tonight.

"I've seen us losing headers inches above strikers, I've seen us not competing for second balls in the middle of the park.

'I thought we were negligent and that is a complete right across the board. We win together and lose together.

"Ryan has to learn. He got himself sent off foolishly. Now we're without him for Sunday. He suffers and we suffer as well.

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