In what is set to be a fiery encounter, Aberdeen will welcome newly promoted Rangers to Pittodrie this Sunday for one of the season’s most interesting meetings so far.
Rangers’ build up to the match has been fraught with controversy, with Joey Barton’s training ground bust up and subsequent media launch for his new book casting a shadow over the Ibrox side.
Then there is the arrest of captain Kenny Miller, reportedly involved in a brawl in an up-market wine bar following a 5-1 defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic – the worst in what has been a succession of disappointing early-season performances from Mark Warburton’s men.
Aberdeen too have been disappointed with their start to the league campaign. They go into the match fourth in the table – just one place above Rangers on goal difference – but a last minute winner from Adam Rooney in the League Cup last night will go some way to lifting the players as they head in to this crucial fixture.
It’s been billed by some as the battle for the best of the rest – with many pundits backing last season’s champions Celtic to comfortably secure the title again – but that hasn’t done anything to dampen the desire of the fans to come away from Sunday’s contest with a huge three points.
Barry Ferguson said this week that the fixture had a “nastiness” to it and police have already been forced to warn fans that there will be no hiding face for anyone intent on causing trouble – although a proposed 12th minute applause to welcome Rangers to Pittodrie “for the first time ever” may just be beyond their purview.
However, when the final whistle goes on Sunday afternoon, we are far more likely to be talking about the action on the pitch rather than any goings on in the stands. After last night’s game, one St Johnstone player slammed the Dons’ dressing room door to drown out the celebrations and loud music coming from inside. Could there be similar scenes this Sunday?
Aberdeen team news
Joe Lewis looks set to continue in goal with a start for former Gers keeper Neil Alexander seeming unlikely.
The Dons’ defence looked shaky at times in the opening fixtures of the season but seemed dependable last night and seem to be getting more sure of themselves each week. The Dons dominated possession against St. Johnstone and will be looking to do the same on Sunday.
In midfield, on-loan youngster James Maddison has all the qualities to have a starring role this weekend. He looked good against St. Johnstone and will be out to use his rapid delivery to tear into a Rangers defence severely lacking in pace.
Jonny Hayes was set to start last night but felt a hamstring tighten during the warm up and was ruled out. He is still being assessed ahead of the clash at Pittodrie and the Dons’ best player last season could still feature. Captain Ryan Jack will not.
Adam Rooney scored the winner against St Johnstone last night but Derek McInnes has a wealth of options available up front. The Irishman came on to replace Jayden Stockley at 71 minutes and that winner could secure his place in the starting line up.
Rangers team news
Rangers’ line up is a hard one to predict. They suffered an embarrassing collapse against Celtic but looked impressive against Queen of the South.
Wes Foderingham looked secure against the latter and cant really be blamed for any of the goals against Celtic – although conceding five will certainly have hurt. Expect him to start on Sunday.
Lee Wallace looked poor in both games and walked off with a knee injury against the Doonhamers. James Tavernier has continued to look the best of the bunch and Danny Wilson looks a better option against a pacey Aberdeen side than Philippe Senderos.
Joey Barton will definitely not feature and Niko Kranjcar could also miss out after a poor showing against Celtic.
Andy Halliday looked like a hero after his bust up with Barton and got his team on their way against Queen of the South, then got involved in the second. He should definitely be in, likely along with Jason Holt and Barrie McKay – both goal scorers this week.
Up front, Kenny Miller is unlikely to feature but Joe Garner could be a good choice, although Martyn Waghorn scored twice from the penalty spot in the Gers’ last outing.