We have the edge on Dons
It was the morning after a 3-0 thumping at Ibrox, a result that completed an unwanted hat-trick for the Dons.
Having already suffered 3- 0 home defeats to Motherwell in the League Cup and Celtic in a top- of-the-table clash, O’Connor knows it was unacceptable to crash once more against Rangers.
So the stopper is determined to make amends today when Gers head north for another massive showdown.
O’Connor said: “None of us could enjoy our day off on Thursday because we lost on Wednesday night
“We’ve looked at that game in detail. We did it a couple of weeks ago after we lost to Motherwell in the league. We were absolutely gutted after that.
“We had a long chat after that one. It was very uncharacteristic.
“The same th ing happened on Wednesday and it’s something we have to put right.
“So it’s important for the fans to get behind the team and give to us what Rangers’ fans gave to them in midweek.
“There have been a few bad performances this season – there’s no hiding from that.
“We’re going to win some and we’re going to lose some.
“But it’s the manner in which we’ve lost those matches.
“There have been 3- 0 defeats to Rangers, Motherwell in the League Cup and to Celtic.
“We shouldn’t be losing games that way. There are ways to lose – when you put up a fight and are in the match. “You might lose a game like that by one goal but to lose by three is always horrible. It’s something we have to look at but it’s great we have another chance against Rangers now.” Despite the pain of their Ibrox horror show, Dons still sit second in the table, three points ahead of Gers. And a clear-the-air gathering with b o s s Der e k McInnes and No 2 Tony Docherty on Friday restored their bel ief that they can see off the Ibrox side on home turf today to get their revenge.
Rangers are still looking for a new manager six weeks after Pedro Caixinha was given his jotters.
McInnes has been linked with a move to Ibrox and the speculation refuses to die down but O’Connor insists that wasn’t a factor in the abject display on Wednesday night.
He said: “It has nothing to do with the speculation. There’s always going to be talk with the gaffer and certain players.
“The manager has done a really good job here and there was speculation in the summer with Sunderland.
“There was talk last season when the Rangers job came up and now there’s speculation again.
“But as a footballer you just have to put that to the back of your mind and concentrate on the next game.
“That’s what we’ve been doing and it’s what the gaffer has been doing too.
“The manager hasn’t spoken one word about the ‘Is he going? Is he not?’ stuff.
“His main focus has been on the next game and the team. That’s why he’s such a good manager because he doesn’t let anything get to him.
“His concentration is always on the next match for Aberdeen.
“He had a chat with us again on Friday morning and it was all about putting it right today.
“Not only has it been hurting us as players, it has been hurting him as well.
“I wouldn’t say the speculation has affected us, it’s just some performances es haven’t been where they should be.
“But what better way to put it right ht than against Rangers? We know we have to win the game. We’re not going out there just to put in a performance – we’re going out to win.”
The Irishman’s fighting talk has rippled through the Reds squad with McInnes ready to change tactics.
He will probably be without winger Gary Mackay-Steven and midfielder Greg Tansey, whose early challenge on Jason Holt handed Rangers a penalty kick and a flying start in midweek. The Dons will also be without on-loan Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie, suspended after picking up two yellow cards on a night of misery at Ibrox.
But they will put more emphasis on attack after McInnes’ decision to go with three central defenders on Wednesday backfired.
O’Connor admitted: “We didn’t start well in midweek and the penalty was a bit of a kick in the teeth.
“At the time I didn’t think it was a penalty but looking back it was probably a stupid tackle.
“Immediately, that gave the crowd a lift and that’s the last thing you want to do at Ibrox because the team will just build on that – and that’s what they did.
“They ended up getting the second goal and it’s a mountain to climb after that.
“We let ourselves down but the great thing about football is you’ve always got the chance to bounce back.
“If we weren’t playing Rangers again for a couple of months it would have been harder to take.
“But we’ve got them straight away and hopefully we can put it right.right.” Graeme Mur t y insists Rangers should never allow themselves to be rated as underdogs against Aberdeen.
The Ibrox interim gaffer bel ieves most people expected the Dons to turn them over on Wednesday night – before his team pulled off a terrific 3- 0 win.
They will attempt to do likewise at Pittodrie today and Gers are now bookies’ favourites for the rematch.
But Murty insists that’s the way it should be for his players against Derek McInnes’ men – even if he expects to face a different Dons outfit.
He said: “The players here have had their character and ability questioned.
“We almost went into a game at Ibrox as underdogs against Aberdeen. Hopefully that t hurt a few players and I think it reflected in their performance. p
“We have to expect Aberdeen A to go beyond what they t gave in midweek. If we emphasise e that I’m sure our players p will be ready.
“There is no use thinking we’ve w done our job. We have to t show the edge on Sunday that t we did on Wednesday.”
Murty refused to reveal his h tactical plan for the trip to t Pittodrie after out-foxing the t Dons in midweek.
He surprised a few by including i Mexican Carlos Pena P in his line-up – and he repaid r the faith with a goal.
The Gers stand-in boss is now n ready to throw Pena into the heat of battle again.
He said; “Why not? He came into the side and scored on Wednesday. It’s up to me and the other players to recognise the talents we have and get the best out of them.
“That position allows Carlos to bring his talent to the fore, to have a free role and get into the box.
“Lo and behold, he got his goal. But a lot of people sacrificed for Carlos to be able to do that.”