McGinn wants Dons to make a statement of intent at Pittodrie

NIALL McGINN is targeting a statement success against Rangers today after losing the battles but winning the war against their rivals for second place last season.

The Ibrox club inflicted three defeats on the Dons in the Ladbrokes Premiership then, under Jimmy Nicholl, plundered a Pittodrie draw in the campaign’s penultimate game.

It was only Aberdeen’s consistency against the rest of the league and a last-day victory at Celtic Park that saw Derek McInnes’ side finish above the Ibrox club.

Laying down an instant marker on opening day would rid Aberdeen of any lingering concerns over their record against Rangers — and fuel hopes of five years of being best of the rest.

McGinn said: ‘Last season we were disappointed not to beat Rangers. There could be no better start to this league campaign than having them at home.

‘We need to be more clinical against them. We’ve always gone toe-to-toe with them. Going to Ibrox the season before and beating them there for the first time in 20 years was a great achievement for ourselves.

‘Over the course of the last few years we’ve shown we are good enough. And with us finishing second, it’s shown we’ve been the better team over the season.

‘We’ve just got to show it against them and there’s no better opportunity than now.’

Aberdeen are perceived to be weaker for the departures of the excellent Kenny McLean, Anthony O’Connor and Adam Rooney plus Ryan Christie’s return to Celtic.

However, McGinn. who re-signed in January after a spell in South Korea, backs McInnes to attend to all their needs by the time the transfer window has closed.

‘It is what it is with Celtic and Rangers — people are always going to speak about those two clubs,’ he said.

‘Rangers have got a new manager and new players and I’m sure the players are still gelling together. We’ve got a few new players as well, so we’ll concentrate on ourselves and not worry about other teams. The squad is as strong as ever.

‘Against Burnley, we had a strong bench.

‘When you see guys like Scotty Wright coming on, Dom Ball, Chris Forrester with Stephen Gleeson there as well — we’re going to need that squad over the course of the season.

‘The manager has been outstanding to keep the team evolving every summer over the last three or four years, bringing in very good players. That’s definitely shown in our results and league finishes.

‘I don’t see why we can’t do it again. We’ve been questioned every year and we’ve always proven that we were the second best team in Scotland.

‘There’s another good squad of players in here and we’re really looking forward to getting started on another league campaign.’