Aberdeen have to right a wrong away to Rangers on Wednesday after their abysmal performance in losing 3-0 at Ibrox earlier this season.
The back-to-back defeats to Rangers a few months ago were probably the worst performances from the Dons this season, with Ibrox the low point.
If Aberdeen want to maintain the reputation of being the second best side in Scotland they cannot afford to be beaten a third time by the Gers.
The Ibrox club will push Aberdeen for that second spot this season and have made some reasonably impressive signings during the January transfer window.
Rangers also produced two very impressive performances in defeating Aberdeen so the Reds have a lot to prove on Wednesday.
Defensively the Dons were a travesty at Ibrox and they have to make up for that dreadful performance.
Facing Rangers away is the second stage in a huge week for the Dons which began with a tricky Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren.
Aberdeen progressed to the fifth round with a solid, professional performance.
Going one better than last season to lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden has to be a realistic target for Aberdeen.
Boss Derek McInnes has built a strong squad and introduced quality in the summer window following the 2-1 loss to Celtic in the final.
Aberdeen should use last season’s Scottish Cup final as inspiration to go all the way this season because they pushed treble-winning Celtic so close.
When you have experienced a final and competed so well that can only give Aberdeen players that added confidence and self-belief.
They have tasted a Scottish Cup final now and coming so close can only give them that added hunger to go on and lift the trophy this May.
I am sure it will rankle with Aberdeen manager McInnes that the Dons have lifted only one trophy since he came to the club.
They will be desperate to add to that and the squad at his disposal is certainly capable of achieving it.
Ryan Christie was outstanding against St Mirren and Gary Mackay-Steven produced a fabulous strike – you will be hard pushed to see a better goal this season.
Although they were 3-1 up at half-time the Dons looked a little off the pace in the opening 45 minutes.
All three goals in the first half were easy and, in the large, down to defensive mistakes.
The Dons were more like themselves after the break and dominated. They professionally progressed through a tricky tie but it is only the first step towards their target of reaching Hampden again.
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