Dons are hurting but we must refocus — Taylor

ASH Taylor insists there is no time for the Aberdeen players to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare to play a fifth of their season in December.

The Dons face a testing run of eight league matches in 27 days beginning with Saturday’s game against Rangers at Ibrox.

After their 3-0 Betfred Cup Final defeat by Premiership leaders Celtic on Sunday afternoon, Taylor knows there can be no cup final hangover at Pittodrie.

He said: “We are hurting but we have to channel that into the game on Saturday.

“Rangers away is a massive game and then we have a hectic December. We have to refocus and make sure we come out of the month in a good position.”

Sunday’s cup final was Taylor’s first as a Don and, while smarting at the loss, the defender insists it was a day he will not forget.

He said: “Before I signed for Aberdeen the manager spoke about being in cup finals.

“I saw the pictures from 2014 and I wanted to be part of that. I experienced what the supporters are like in a cup final but we never got the win for them.”

Dons manager Derek McInnes believes the trip to Ibrox represents the perfect pick-me-up for his players after the Hampden defeat.

He said: “It is now a test for the players and the staff. It is important we all stick together.

“There is no alternative but to keep going forward and trying to get the most out of the season.

“We have Rangers at Ibrox and December will be a defining month for a lot of teams. We have eight games which is a huge demand on the squad.”

Former Dundee United midfielder Ryan McCord is now with Arbroath.