McInnes bears no grudges against former Aberdeen captain Jack.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists he holds no illfeeling towards Ryan Jack over his summer move to rivals Rangers.

The former Dons captain had initially told McInnes he would only leave Pittodrie for a new challenge in England but went back on his word to join the Ibrox side on a three-year deal.

Tonight’s meeting between the sides in Govan will be the first time Jack has lined up against his former team-mates.

But McInnes says he does not bear a grudge towards the 25-year-old.

The Aberdeen manager said: “He was an important player for us and I tried to show him that by making him captain. I was equally as disappointed when Niall McGinn, Peter Pawlett, Ash Taylor and Jonny Hayes left. That is part of football.

“You want to work with good players and Ryan is a good player.

“I spoke to him when he was up here for the Scotland-Netherlands friendly. There is no problem at all with Ryan and myself. I’m sure the players still keep in touch with all their former team-mates.

“We have a really tight squad here – and the players all keep in touch with the players who moved on in the summer.”

Rangers, under the charge of caretaker Graeme Murty, head into the match on the back of successive defeats by Hamilton and Dundee.

Goals from Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie earned the Dons a 2-1 victory in Govan in May – their first victory at Ibrox since 1991.

But McInnes, who has a full squad to choose from, says the ground remains one of the toughest venues in the Scottish Premiership.

He said: “There is no doubt that Rangers have good players and they represent one of the toughest challenges.

“They don’t lose many games at Ibrox and their home record over the last few seasons has been very strong.

“Whether we are playing a team full of confidence or lacking in confidence, we just have to make sure we concentrate on our own performance.

“It was more than 20 years since the last Aberdeen victory at Ibrox and that was such a damning stat for Aberdeen.

“Our team has only gone their twice – we have won one and lost one. It was important that we managed to win so people don’t really talk about it.”

McInnes has a full squad to choose from after reporting no injuries.

Ex-Dons captain Ryan Jack.