Every word from the manager's post-match press conference.

How pleasing was that today?

Very, I think we wanted to have a good start, be positive and aggressive and I think we did that. It was very pleasing the way we started and of course after conceding the first goal, we kept going. With quick passing and movement. Even in the first half, scoring to make it 2-1 was a big moment but we created so many chances to be even further ahead. I’m really satisfied with the overall display. To play at home against Aberdeen and have 70 percent of the ball, 36 shots on goal, that’s a dominating performance. I’m really pleased.

You must be pleased with the character when 1-0 down?

If you start like we did, a goal against can always happen even if you’re dominating. It’s different when you don’t start well and are not on the front foot. The away we started, for us there was no panic. We knew to keep going, create chances and that’s what we did.

How are Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies?

Ridvan felt his hamstring. He was decelerating in the box and felt it straight away so, we will have him out for I think a couple of weeks. Ben already had a moment in the beginning of the game but could continue towards half-time. But I didn’t want to take any risk with him. We will see tomorrow how he is and assess him.

Was that the best performance of the season?

I think so, it was very pleasing also for the players because Aberdeen are well organised. We kept a really good structure to pass quickly and find the free spaces in behind or on the wings. We had a lot of threat and that was very pleasing.

Malik Tillman’s runs behind were impressive?

You always want to run behind the defence, they are the most effective runs if timed well. It gives you the opportunity to score. We knew Aberdeen with their system when they drop deep, it’s difficult to find spaces. But when they press high, it was obvious that we were one-on-one in the front. That means every ball behind is dangerous, from a winger or midfielder. Especially the role of Antonio who did really well, playing a little bit towards the ball to make space for Fashion and Ryan. Fashion had a big chance in the first half as well and Malik, when he times it right, he set up a big chance and got an assist for Antonio. It depends on the opponent, we reacted really well to their positions, knowing which players had to make the runs. Malik did it really well.

Was it a best performance of the season for James Sands and John Lundstram?

You see we are missing midfield players to injury, you could see the role of John was a little bit different, instead of a No.6, he was more No.8. He kept making those runs forward and scored to make it 2-1. I think the play with him and James was good. We had to change in the second half. John has so much energy and can really be effective with that.

Rangers Review:

What was wrong with Ben Davies?

His groin.

Was it important to keep the pressure on Celtic?

We needed a win for so many reasons. Of course, you know when you drop points last week and lose in Naples you need a performance to keep going and make sure you continue on a positive track. In that way, this win brings so many good things for the team.

Why was the intensity better today?

We just need to keep focusing on our strengths, that’s what we did today. Of course, that’s not always possible if you have a really good opponent against you, and those moments will not occur that often especially in the Champions League. Today, you could see we were dominating, we were aggressive, won our duels. Kept going forward with every pass we could to keep them under pressure. It’s a reminder for my team that they can play like this. That’s very positive.

Today was lighting compared to last week?

It was, I put more focus on our start. Told the players to start really well and really aggressively in the first 15 minutes, every time we start on the front foot it’s not only the beginning, you take it with you for the whole game. That’s what I told them and that’s what they did really well today.

Could James Sands and Fashion Sakala provide consistency in selection for you?

Of course, you look at the team and how we perform individually but also as a group, as a team. We’ve had to change a lot in the last couple of months due to injuries. But I think if you see our injury list at the moment it’s not only big, it features important players. That’s why we had to change some positions. For James to be a No.6 or centre-back, it’s no problem for him. He’s very versatile, the same with Lundstram. I’m really happy with Fashion, you know what you get, he’s very positive as a person and a player, always going forward. It’s not easy for a defence to keep defending a Fashion or Ryan Kent for 90 minutes.

How does this set you up for Ajax on Tuesday?

It’s a different competition, it’s Champions League again. We are ready to get the first points and I think we have a chance at home against any team with a 90-minute performance like today, that will give us a chance against a quality opponent but still, if we win we have even points with Ajax. That shows the strength of the group.

How big is it for James Tavernier to get back on the scoresheet?

Very. You want your players to perform well and sometimes you have a moment when it’s not going your way, because everyone needs confidence. The most important thing is to keep focusing on your play and keep working hard. I think the display of Tav today was positive. I’m happy for the players to get a performance like this, it sets us up for Ajax.