Morelos’ earlier indiscretions had proved costly but this time captain James Tavernier tucked home the Gers’ fifth penalty award in two games before a Jermain Defoe strike in stoppage time sealed a precious win that keeps Steven Gerrard’s men six points behind leaders Celtic.

McInnes had enjoyed the upper hand on Gerrard in their three previous meetings, with two wins and an opening-day draw.

But while Sam Cosgrove also struck twice – one from the spot – the Reds drop five behind their Ibrox rivals.

Both sides passed up early chances but it was Morelos who landed the night’s opening blow.

Ryan Kent picked up the ball 25 yards out before setting off an a long arching run towards the box.

His shot on the angle was well-struck but Joe Lewis succeeded only in parrying it straight to Morelos who tucked home first time.

Aberdeen’s response came on the half-hour mark. Rangers were 65 yards from their own goal when Graeme Shinnie robbed Borna Barisic but the Dons were immediately off and running.

Tavernier could only head away a Greg Stewart cross but it was fizzed back into the box by Lewis Ferguson. The ball ricocheted off Tavernier and then Connor Goldson before falling perfectly for Cosgrove to roll home.

Rangers’ title credentials were now up for question as the home support roared their team on.

But Rangers showed they are not ready to let Celtic race off into the distance and regained their lead seven minutes later.

Ryan Jack pushed forward from midfield before finding Kent. The ball was slipped through to Morelos, who produced a sensational finish to find the bottom corner with virtually no backlift.

There was a certain inevitability that following the weekend controversy of Gers’ four penalties against St Mirren there would be more spot-kick drama here.

But the truth was referee Bobby Madden was left with two of the clearest awards imaginable.

The first in the 42nd minute came when McKenna, in the process of claiming offside against Goldson, raised an arm above his head which then blocked the defender’s flick-on.

With Tavernier’s place at the head of the Light Blues’ penalty pecking order reiterated, the skipper stepped up to slot Gerrard’s team two in front.

Their lead was trimmed back three minutes after the restart as Madden was met with another straightforward award as Tavernier bundled over Ferguson as they jostled at a corner and Cosgrove claimed his second by ramming past Allan McGregor.

The real flashpoint, however, came in the 54th minute as Morelos and McKenna got their marching orders.

The pair had been embroiled in a running battle all night but took things too far when both appeared to kick out at each other on the deck.

Morelos was looking to get revenge on the Dons defender for the red card he got for an earlier spat on day one of the season as he threw himself theatrically about the floor, but Madden decided both had to go.

Aberdeen threw caution to the wind during seven minutes of stoppage time but the game was up when Tavernier slotted in Defoe for his third Rangers goal.

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