The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
No doubting Dons challenge
Aberdeen: Reynolds says Reds now comfortable being in title conversation
wanted to play in England, so the opportunity has come for him. He wasn’t going to sign a newdeal, so it’sonethat probablyworks well, really.”
Johansen won three Premiership titles and was named Scottish PFA player of the season for 2014-15. The fee taking him to west London has not been disclosed.
The move frees up space in Celtic’s squad before the transfer window closes, with movement expected both ways.
He concedes Champions League fixtures against Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Munchengladbach – plus access to a potential £30million-plus prize pot – strengthened his hand.
He added: “We want to bring in the right profile of players that can help us, not justnow, but in thenext few years. We’ve got a few ideas, but nothing imminent.” Aberdeen players have batted away the weekly question of whether they are title challengers for the past two seasons but defender MarkReynolds believes the questionnolonger needs to be asked of his club.
The Dons have taken the fight to Celtic in the last two campaigns, finishing runners-up to the Hoops on both occasions.
However, Reynolds, whose Reds face Brendan Rodgers team at Parkhead today, insists the Dons’ consistency in the league in recent years means he and his team-mates have ended the debate.
He said: “Are we more comfortable being regarded Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has promised his team will have a go in their demanding Champions League programme and believes the Parkhead experience gives them a chance of progressing.
Rodgers aims to be competitive despite conceding the combination of Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Munchengladbach was as title challengers now? Yes, probably.
“We’ve never bothered about whether people consider us to be challengers or not. Since the manager came in we’ve kept everything in-house, all our beliefs and our aims.
“We always talked about it, justnot to themedia. The manager didn’t put down a party whip saying not to do it, it’s just what happened.
“It was always jumped upon when we spoke about it before, the headlines were always ‘ Aberdeen think they canwinthe title’. Now, though, it’s not such a big deal.
“The way it has been viewed has changed, it was almost as if it was a case of ‘who do they think they possibly the most draw available.
Barca are one of the many giants of European football to have discovered Parkhead is not an easy venue – they lost on their penultimate visit in 2012 – and Rodgers feels empowered by the atmosphere Hoops supporters are able to create.
“The home games are going to be exciting because difficult are?’ But now it’s less sensational because we’ve been there and challenged. People see it as normalnow for us to be up there.”
The presence of Rangers in the top flight has added to the size of the task facing the Dons this season and Reynolds insists the challenge
TEAM L.INES: CAPTAIN JACK COULD FEATURE DESPITE OPERATION
of the level of support we have,” Rodgers said.
“I saw some quotes from the last time Lionel Messi was here, he talked about it being the best atmosphere he played in.
“Our aim is to be as is one the players are relishing.
He said:“We have shown we’re a good team and are capable of beingupthere in the top positions. Over the last twoyearswehave done it consistently, we have challenged and proved we can sustain a challenge for competitive as we possibly can . There i s no doubt we have earned the right to be here. It’s an extremely the majority of the season. We have stood the test of time, even though we ultimately fell short, and I think every year we’ve got a bit better.
“We are growing as a team, we are getting better andwehave the experience of challenging in the past. tough group. We have arguably got the top teams from each of the pots all in onegroup. Butour aim, like always, is to have a go. We’ll aim to be competitive.”
Celtic open their campaign in the Nou Camp on September 13 but they have two important Scottish Premiership fixtures before then, with Rangers visiting three days earlier and, firstly, Aberdeen today.
“We aim to be up there – the carrot is still dangling, it’s a massive prize.”
Aberdeen’s credentials will be tested to the full by the Hoops at Parkhead today, a venue where no Aberdeen team has taken even a point in the last 22 league visits.
Reynolds, however, knows records are made to be broken, adding: “Although it’s still early, this is a six-point game because it will get us three points and take three off our rivals.
“It’s easy to say what we’re going to do, though. If we win, it’s a marker; if we lose, it’s early doors.
“We have good enough players to causethemproblems and that’s all we have to focus on.”
“It’s abig game,” Rodgers said. “We expect a very tough game. For the majority of last season they were the big challengers. Derek McInnes hasdoneverywell since he’s come back here.
“They are well organised, they have a threat and they work very hard. But we are playing at home, we have good intensity in the team and our focus is very good.”