McInnes expects big improvement
DEREK McInnes hopes Aberdeen put their best foot forward when Rangers visit Pittodrie tomorrow.
The Dons lost 1- 0 at home to the Premiership leaders on the opening day of the season when the Aberdeen manager started with youngster Bruce Anderson in place of injured strikers Sam Cosgrove and Curtis Main.
McInnes was without eight players due to injury and Covid- 19 issues when his side lost 4- 0 at Ibrox in November.
Aberdeen now face a Rangers side who have won 20 and drawn two league games this season and who are
19 points ahead of
Celtic at the top of the table having played three games more.
But McInnes ( right) is looking for his side to provide a tough examination. He said:
“It is always a big game when you play Rangers.
“From our point of view, the last two outings against them we fell way short of what I expect.
“I think it has been a good time for Rangers to play us, I think it has been a good time for a few teams in certain periods this season to take us on. We have probably been a bit vulnerable in terms of team selection and players being available. But certainly going into this game with one league defeat in 14 – the game at Ibrox – while we are not perfect, we are in decent form.
“We have some good players, more players available and it is important that Rangers get a far tougher game.”
McInnes, meanwhile, admits Scott Wright looks set to leave the Dons with contract talks coming to a standstill.
The 23- year- old is out of contract at Pittodrie this summer and the manager believes the winger is looking at having a go in English football.
McInnes said: “We have been trying to get Scott to re- sign because he is a key player. It has not been easy to do and we are no further forward.
“Scott and his agent have indicated that they want to keep their options open and maybe look at options down south.
“That is a player’s right but by the same token we are disappointed with it.
“The door is not closed but the likely destination for Scott looks to be down south.”