IF MORELOS IS TO BID FAREWELL THEN THIS IS PERFECT CHANCE TO SIGN OFF IN STYLE

IT would be a massive psychological boost for Rangers to go up to Pittodrie and win this opening game. People are saying they have played really well in pre-season and I must agree they have looked impressive at times, particularly against some very good sides out in France. Sometimes, though, that can be a little bit of a tricky position as a player. You could feel as though you are absolutely flying and then get brought down with a bump when things get going for real. I’m sure Steven Gerrard will be very aware of that. He will know exactly how important this Aberdeen game is. It’s not only about three points. It’s a lot more than that. Particularly from that psychological perspective. Rangers will want to lay down a marker because they know that Celtic are huge favourites to go and beat Hamilton at home tomorrow. That’s why they can’t afford to slip up at such an early stage. Seeing this fixture being played behind closed doors will be a weird experience. In my time at Rangers, Pittodrie was always a very tricky place to go — the atmosphere, the compact ground. You looked forward to the challenge, but it was about getting the points if you could and getting out. We lost a couple of games up there. Aberdeen are still a team that can give you real problems. The opening game two years ago was at Pittodrie and ended in a 1-1 draw. Rangers also drew 2-2 there last season. Derek McInnes is a smart manager and can set his side up to make it very difficult. In saying that, it’s clearly a setback for him to be without Sam Cosgrove who brings a big physical threat to their attack. For Rangers, there will be a lot of focus on Alfredo Morelos if he starts the game. But that is nothing new. If Morelos is to leave Rangers soon — and it remains an ‘if’ — I’m sure he would want to try to sign off in style. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was to grab the headlines again.