We’ve got edge on Rangers in race to be second
SAYS ANDREW CONSIDINE
“I feel that we have a stronger squad and have proven that”
ANDREW CONSIDINE believes Aberdeen will ultimately prove their superiority to Rangers by finishing as Celtic’s closest challengers for a third successive season.
The Pittodrie defender regards the current squad as the best of his dozen years at the club and remains convinced they are good enough to split the Old Firm.
Saturday’s stalemate against St Johnstone means Aberdeen cannot take over in second place this evening as victory over Motherwell will merely reduce Rangers’ advantage to a single point.
Considine, though, is confident they will live up to the expectations of manager Derek McInnes.
‘Beating Rangers to second spot is something the manager told us we need to achieve,’ he revealed.
‘I feel we have a stronger squad than they’ve got and have proven that over the last few years.
‘I still think that, with the games we have to go, we have every chance of being above Rangers by the turn of the year.
‘They still have Celtic to play before then but we have to just focus on ourselves and concentrate on what we can do.
‘Rangers coming back has made it a lot tougher. You saw that when we went down there.
‘There has been a lot said about them but they are a fantastic team and they’ve held their own since they came up.
‘I am not surprised they are up there. They have been tight games between us and they have a bit of momentum at the moment.
‘They are doing very well but we have a cracking squad here. It’s massive and it will be a tough job, but I think we have the team to do it. I think we’ve definitely got the edge.
‘It would be a huge achievement to finish above them this season because a lot of people expected them to come back and just slot into second, but we have shown in the past few years how important it is for us to be there.’
Tonight’s game is the first of two against Motherwell in the space of ten days for Aberdeen, with a trip to face Ross County sandwiched in between.
In total, the Dons will play eight games this month. Considine, though, sees an opportunity in the congested fixture list.
‘We have a tougher schedule than most of the teams at the moment because of the games we’ve had to move when making it through to the Betfred Cup Final,’ said the 29-year-old.
‘It makes things more difficult but you have to look at it the other way. It’s a chance to get the St Johnstone result out of our head and build some momentum up over the next few weeks.
‘We need to get back to winning ways to keep in touch with Celtic and Rangers, as well as hopefully creating a gap to Hearts.
‘Because of dropping points last weekend — and Rangers winning — this Motherwell game is very important.’
Considine, Peter Pawlett, Ryan Jack, Ash Taylor and Niall McGinn are all out of contract in the summer and talks on new deals are on hold for now. More immediately, James Maddison’s future needs to be resolved.
The influential midfielder’s loan deal from Norwich City ends early next month and, as yet, Carrow Road boss Alex Neil has not decided whether it will be extended.
Aberdeen are understandably anxious to keep Maddison for the second half of the season.
Team-mate Adam Rooney is also keen to see Scottish referees offer the 20-year-old more protection, given some of the treatment dished out by opponents.
However, McInnes reckons the officials have already got the balance right.
‘I understand a fellow team-mate saying what Adam did but I’m fine with it,’ said the Aberdeen manager.
‘For me, James is a player who attracts people to the ball and invites challenges.
‘He takes the ball in tight areas of the pitch and has great close control, so opponents are aware that he can cause problems if you give him time and space.
‘Dealing with that is something all good players have to learn to cope with — it’s a compliment if people are paying you close attention.
‘In my career, I was one of the guys that managers asked to stop people playing! That happens when other teams see you as a threat and, in James’ case, I don’t think it has gone too far.
‘He doesn’t see it as a problem and I don’t see it as a problem, either. I’m relaxed about it. I don’t think there has been any game where it has been over the top.’