RANGERS ON BACK BURNER FOR ABERDEEN STAR:
HE may have been an Aberdeen player for just three short weeks. But talented teenager James Maddison has already been fully briefed on the fierce rivalry that exists between the Granite City club and their old foes Rangers.
The North East is currently abuzz as one of Scottish football’s more ferocious fixtures prepares to make a return on Sunday in what will be the first visit of the Ibrox side to Pittodrie in almost five years.
The star of the show against Dundee at the weekend, Maddison helped ensure Aberdeen go into this weekend’s game with the psychological advantage of leading Rangers in the table on goal difference.
The young midfielder’s first goal for the Dons on his first start for the club also helped restore confidence after a fairly stuttering start to the season by Derek McInnes’ men.
While desperate to gain a taste of the big-game atmosphere, though, Maddison is adamant that the Dons must first focus on their Betfred Cup quarter-final at Pittodrie on Thursday night against St Johnstone.
The 19-year-old hopes Sunday’s fine win over Dundee can be used as a springboard to set Aberdeen up for Saints’ visit and then Rangers’ first visit to Pittodrie since Nikica Jelavic’s penalty secured a 2-1 win for Ally McCoist’s team in October 2011.
‘I’ve been told a lot about Rangers v Aberdeen games. I better watch what I say,’ smiled the on-loan Norwich City playmaker.
‘I’ve heard it’s a massive game. History speaks for itself. The lads are really up for that one. You don’t need me to explain to you how big the Rangers game is, but it’s a huge week for everyone connected with the club.
‘I know the Rangers game is coming up, but the focus firstly has got to be on Thursday’s game. That game is just as big, if not bigger.
‘Any team will tell you that getting silverware is what it’s all about. That’s what you play football for, to get success. So a League Cup quarter-final is something to look forward to.
‘We always knew how big this week was going to be with three games in quick succession, starting at a tough venue such as Dundee. But we’ve started it well and hopefully that can continue.
‘We had been waiting for a result like the one we got against Dundee. I feel we can definitely use that result as a springboard.’
Maddison signed for Norwich from Coventry City in January in a deal that could eventually be worth £6million. At Dens Park, he was exceptional with his close control, range of passing and composure under pressure — even if his goal was a touch fortunate with a 20-yard shot squirming beyond the normally-reliable Dundee keeper Scott Bain.
While a class act, he looks a bit slight for the rough and tumble of the Scottish game. But he is confident he can cope with the physical battle to replicate against Saints and Rangers the kind of impact he had on Tayside.
‘I enjoy the physical side of the game,’ he said.
‘I played in 40 games or so for Coventry in League One and that’s not too dissimilar (in terms of physicality).
‘There’s a lot of hefty challenges down there. So I’ve kind of been used to it from a young age.
‘With the way I play, I like to keep the ball and tie it to myself, so I’m obviously going to come in for some treatment, sometimes rough. But that’s part of the game. And I don’t mind putting my foot in there.
‘I’m really enjoying being at Aberdeen. The manager has given me some freedom to go and express myself and show what I can do. He wants me to show what I am all about.
‘It’s not quite a free role because I still have a responsibility to defend when Dundee have the ball and we are out of possession. But I like having that licence to go and be free and show everyone what I can do. And to get three points and a goal was the best way possible to mark my first start for Aberdeen.
‘It was great to get a goal for the travelling fans who came down from Aberdeen in their numbers. It was a really good day for the club and for me personally.’
“We knew how big this week was set to be”