Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McInnes: My Dons will still have edge despite Pittodrie being empty
BOSS Derek McInnes is confident Aberdeen will be fired up to face Rangers in the season opener despite the absence of the Red Army.
The Dons are scheduled to kick off the 2020-21 Premiership campaign with a Pittodrie showdown against the Gers on Saturday, August 1 (5.30pm).
That game will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Although Pittodrie will be empty, McInnes will ensure the Dons can still play with an edge.
He said: “Although there will be no supporters we have to remember who we are playing for.
“We represent the club and we represent the supporters.
“That message will be drummed in before we play any games competitively.
“Regardless of whether supporters are there in the ground everyone knows the importance of getting off to a good start.
“To get points and that high level of performance players need to be playing with a real competitive edge. With or without a crowd we have to show that edge.”
Two years ago Aberdeen faced Rangers at Pittodrie in the Premiership season curtain raiser with 19,046 packed into the stadium to witness a 1-1 draw.
The absence of fans for the season opener will hit the club hard financially.
Chairman Dave Cormack revealed on social media facing Rangers behind closed doors will cost Aberdeen £400,000.
Cormack said on Twitter: “Next week we’ll update Dons fans on the club’s cash flow projections for season ’20/21.
“An example of the reality we face is an income loss of £400,000 with the Rangers game being played behind closed doors.”