Our man Andy Newport was at Hampden Park on Saturday for the Premier Sports Cup semi final and

Derek McInnes' side haven’t been the only folk at Rangers who have struggled to reach the high notes recently.

A curious development in the stands has been the sudden emergence of a new favourite chant for the Ibrox support. For a fanbase whose usual repertoire still centres on events of the 17th century, 80s synth-pop hit A Little Respect at least shows they’re attempting to move with the times.

Apparently it’s all to do with the line: ‘I'm so in love with you, I'll be forever blue'.

It was certainly amusing to see the hooded figures of the Union Bears attempting to reach - but not quite making - the falsetto heights of Erasure frontman Andy Bell as the tune hits its climactic chorus at Hampden on Saturday.

The off-key punters may very well have their manager’s sympathies given he’s also watched his own team miss a few beats lately. A ninth win in the last 11 games was indeed music to McInnes’ ears as Rangers edged past a stubbornly resilient Aberdeen side to reach next month’s Premier Sports Cup final.

But this was hardly a display that was in perfect harmony.

Like the recent away day draws at Dundee and Hearts, Rangers failed to play with the right tempo and with sharper movement up front, the Dons could have well forced the game into extra-time. Thankfully for McInnes, Ryan Naderi banged the drum for his team’s trophy prospects by slamming home the late winner.

But the terrace choir crooning on about a little respect could do with showing their boss some themselves. In amongst the bum notes of the Hampden karaoke session could be heard plenty of deep grumbles as Gers took their time carving through the forest of red shirts planted inside the Aberdeen penalty box.

But since embarking on this long unbeaten run since the club’s European exit against Jablonec, McInnes should now have earned the trust and patience of the fanbase. Yes, his brand of football might not always be the most free flowing but right now it’s proving effective.

And the Ibrox faithful must ask themselves, do they want to be entertained or do they want to see their team win?

It’s only just over a year since the club’s new American board tried to knock it out of the park with their first managerial swing. Russell Martin promised he could produce both style and substance but fell spectacularly flat on both fronts.

McInnes has shied away from making bold promises when it comes to the aesthetics of his team - but he has assured everyone that Rangers will be a much more competitive outfit and right now he’s proving to be true to his word.

This time last week, McInnes marked the fifth anniversary of his mentor Walter Smith’s passing by revealing how the great man’s words of wisdom had given him the confidence to be both a player and manager at Ibrox.

And in his new side, Rangers are already starting to show some of the traits Smith’s stellar side of the 90s famously relied upon.

Even with big names such as Gascoigne, Laudrup and McCoist available, there were plenty of occasions when they would win thanks more to their granite-like resolve than the stardust in their boots.

McInnes doesn’t have anything like the individual talent his old teacher count upon during both his spells in charge but bit by bit he’s instilling a familiar sense of grit in this line up.

No-one personifies that better than Ryan Naderi.

Wingmen Minsu Kim and Badredine Bouanani may possess all the flicks and the tricks but it’s no-frills Naderi who is getting the job done for Rangers right now.

It’s now eight strikes and five assists in 16 appearances this season but none of his contributions are likely to end up troubling the goal of the season judges.

The German-born Czech international joked himself after the game he’s going to stick to shooting from inside the box after seeing two attempts from distance fly off target in a frustrating first half in which the Dons refused to budge from their well drilled 5-3-2 shape.

Stephen Robinson’s team might have journeyed down from Pittodrie on the back of a grim run that had produced only one win in their five games previous but these occasions are the ones in which the former St Mirren boss has made his name, setting up his team to thwart and to frustrate.

For spells it appeared Rangers were falling into his trap as they repeatedly launched the ball long early, allowing Jack Milne to win header after header. Other times, decent crossing positions went to waste as McInnes’ men rushed the delivery when no haste was needed.

Bouanani was the clear danger man from the outset but with Dujon Sterling looking heavy legged as he failed to provide an overlap option, it was all too easy for Aberdeen to narrow up as the on-loan Stuttgart winger drifted in off the right flank.

It was only when Rangers introduced Dan Neil - a surprise absentee as James Penrice was preferred in the centre of the pitch - on the hour mark that Rangers finally began to play with the necessary calm.

Even then, Marius Muller did his best to add to the anxiety levels of the men from Ibrox as he pulled off save after save.

But his resistance was broken six minutes from time as Naderi popped up to poke home from a mis-hit Penrice shot. That was enough to see McInnes through to his first final as Rangers boss.

Now the challenge is win at Hampden on December 13. Do that and the only thing being sung at Ibrox will be the manager’s praises.