Title contenders
Dons are genuine
Derek McInnes has finally managed to shake years of Old Firm fear out of his dressing room.
Having been the main title contenders for the past two seasons, the Aberdeen boss feels his side have grown in stature and confidence.
And McInnes reckons they can now go into games like today’s clash with Rangers knowing, rather than hoping, they’ll compete.
He said: “There were times when maybe in my first year there were still too many in the dressing room that felt losing 1- 0 to Celtic wasn’t the worst result.
“I remember the game here when Virgil van Dijk scored in the last minute. It was 1-1 at the time and I still felt I had too many players on the pitch who thought 1-1 was okay. at the end of it. So we had to try to change that.
“Winning games against them has helped. There’s a confidence that we can take them on now. They’re still huge favourites – both teams when they play us – but we sti l l fancy our chances over 90 minutes.
“We’ve grown as a team, the European experience, the expectation I’ve spoken about to commit to a real title fight, winning runs and the demands of that.”
McInnes is aware today’s atmosphere at Pittodrie will crackle with the tension of a rivalry not played out for more than four years.
“It’s tasty and eagerly anticipated, especially by our fans,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.
“It’s a game that offers the same three points as any league game but there are certain games that can give you that feelgood factor more than others. There is no doubt a win against the Old Firm does that. We’ve felt that in the past when beating Celtic.
“Last season it gave us confidence, the club had a right bounce going into the rest of the campaign. I always found it a tough game.
“Aberdeen teams were always of a level, certainly when I played against them. I’d expect there’s not a lot between the two teams. It will be fiercely contested, highly competitive.