100-goal Roo warns Gers: ‘Be afraid!’
ADAM ROONEY reckons Aberdeen have given new Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha food for thought after demolishing Dundee.
The Dons were untouchable in the City of Discovery on Friday night, notching seven goals without reply as they tightened their grip on second place.
Gers gaffer Caixinha, whose side face Aberdeen in a crunch clash a week today, was there, too.
And Rooney – who notched his 100th Scottish league goal on the night – believes the Portuguese ought to be spooked by the red-hot Reds.
“We were dominant but won’t focus on that,” said Rooney.
“We have a game on Tuesday and need to make sure we take care of Inverness.
“We need to make sure we get to the same standards as we did against Dundee.”
Those standards were sky-high at Dens Park.
Not many teams score seven twice in seven weeks, but Aberdeen have, having turned Motherwell over 7-2 in February.
They have also won 14 of their last 16 games.
But Rooney is wary of complacency.
“We need to keep playing the way we have been,” he added.
“We can’t take it for granted we will go out and win games like we did on Friday.”
Rooney’s confidence ahead of Tuesday’s battle with Inverness speaks volumes about the atmosphere in the Dons’ dressing room.
Yes, the Caley Jags have struggled this season.
But Rooney knows their manager, Richie Foran, will never settle for anything less than success.
Former Inverness striker Rooney has kept an eye on his old team – and believes his old team-mate can keep them in the Premiership.
He said: “Richie will be as a manager like he was as a player.
“He will be hardworking and his desire to win screams out of him.
“They are in a difficult position but they have been unlucky in some games.
“They are capable of causing an upset. I think they will stay up.”
Rooney’s strike against Dundee was a milestone.
Yet the Irishman is not satisfied.
“I have been trying to get my 100th Scottish goal for the last three games,” he said.
“Twenty for this season is next in line.”
On current form, there is little doubt Rooney is capable of hitting his target – and helping the Dons to a barnstorming finish.
“I think there is enough experience and we know we have a good group of lads who are capable of achieving things,” said the Reds’ top scorer.
“There is a motivation because we lost a cup final earlier in the season and we want to try and finish off on a high.
“There is still a lot to play for with a couple of teams chasing us and we want to make sure we are the best of the rest, although Celtic are way out in front.
“We also want to get to another cup final. All the boys are up for it.”