We were awful on first day of season but Rangers will see the REAL Aberdeen on Super Sunday
SAYS DEREK McINNES
DEREK McINNES settled for a seat on his sofa last night to watch Rangers in Europa League action because they have little left to show him.
But the Aberdeen manager reckons the Light Blues will be in for a shock if they judge the Dons on their opening-day performance at Pittodrie.
Steven Gerrard’s 10 men came within a minute of winning 1-0 at the home of their rivals in August before Bruce Anderson swooped in injury time to rescue a point.
The Rangers manager said afterwards his team were “a class above” the Dons. McInnes declined to go on the front foot in reaction to the comments that still raise an eyebrow in comparison to the more harmonious tone Gerrard has since set in postmatch interviews.
It’s safe to assume McInnes feels the comments were a rare error of judgment from a rookie boss but if he’s willing to cut him some slack off field he’s determined to show Rangers no mercy on it.
Amazonian rainforests have been felled and the icloud is bursting with stories around the controversy of the organisation of Sunday’s Betfred Cup semifinal at Hampden.
Now the game is almost upon us and McInnes can’t wait to show the real side of his Dons, who went into the league opener on the back of an extra-time defeat by Burnley three days before and an early-morning arrival home on the Friday.
He said: “Physically we were nowhere near it on the first day of the season – we were awful.
“However, there were reasons for that – we’d pushed Burnley close over extra time on the Thursday night then didn’t get back home until 5am.
“There was a physical factor, although I was disappointed with our game intelligence that day. We had fatigue in our legs and our minds.
“This time round we’ve had a much better chance to prepare for it. I expect us to be better physically and hopefully we will be better in all aspects because clearly we will have to be.
“I feel as if I’ve seen Rangers enough, although we’ll be represented at their Europa League tie. I’ll watch on television and it will maybe allow me to try to second guess their team.
“But up until now Steven has gone about the task of getting their club going forward very well. They’ve dealt with the European games particularly well and anyone can see they are hands-down better than they have been over the last few seasons.
“There is something more believable and authentic about this Rangers team. You can see it in the way they work. There is more discipline to them and there is more energy in them.
“They’re less fragile, more solid at the back and to get in about them you have to work very hard. We don’t expect to get to a cup final without beating good teams and Rangers are one of those.
“I believe they are huge favourites for the game but they and Celtic should be favourites for the competitions they enter.”
Aberdeen have struggled for consistency on the back of an injury and suspension list that’s now easing with the return of players such as Niall McGinn, Scott McKenna and Scott Wright.
McInnes, who rejected the chance to succeed Pedro Caixinha last season, admits Rangers are transformed under Gerrard but also sees enough in his own side to suggest they can win the Cup for the second time in four years.
He added: “It’s clear Steven has imposed himself on the club, both in terms of the playing staff and building a strong squad. The club have bought into him and so have the supporters, especially during the European run when they’ve been impressive. Steven deserves enormous credit.
“However, we also put pressure on ourselves because of the demands we have to reach a final. I’ve full belief my team are good enough to get the job done.
“We know the benefits of reaching cup finals, it can light a fire among the supporters. I want to applaud the 10 or 11,000 fans who will be there on Sunday.
“The club and the board did their best to get as many tickets available and there has been no harm done. We tried but demand wasn’t quite there – hopefully we can get to a final and you will see the demand then.
“It’s important for me and everyone at Aberdeen we can still aspire to that. I’m glad we’re here this weekend but I want us to be preparing for a final.”