Wednesday 23rd January 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Rangers v Aberdeen Football – Scotland – Scottish Premiership Rangers and Aberdeen is the most intense fixture for rivalry outside of Celtic and Rangers in Scottish football and we get the third instalment in a little over six weeks when they go head to head at Ibrox on Wednesday. It’s Rangers who have held the upper hand in the previous two but there is likely to be even more on this game as it is the first time the two clubs have faced each other since the drama involving Derek McInnes and his proposed move to Ibrox as manager. As we now know that move never materialised and he will take his Aberdeen to Glasgow looking to prove a point to the club he once played for.
Rangers have not had their troubles or their dramas to seek this season what with the failed experiment of Pedro Caixhina, the calamitous search for his replacement and the number of games where they have been felled against teams in the bottom six, both home and away. Despite all of that, they are actually in a better position than they were this stage last season – at least in terms of their position relative to Celtic. Rangers are 11 points adrift of their rivals and went into the winter break on the back of a confidence boosting draw at Celtic Park, in a match they probably could have won considering the number of chances they passed up in the second half. It was another credible performance at that venue for Graeme Murty who took a point from the home of the champions for the second time in 2017, only this time it was as the permanent manager – at least until the end of the season. Their aim is realistically finishing second but the most enthusiastic of supporters may feel there is a small chance of winning the league and to do that they have to win on Wednesday.
Aberdeen have been the undoubted second force in Scottish football for a number of years now and it appears they are not going to let go of their grasp on that lightly. The consistency that the Dons have shown over the last three years is the main reason that McInnes was seen as the logical replacement to Caixhina which made it so much more surprising that the moved ended up not happening. Aberdeen will feel it’s a massive coup for their whole club and the city itself, as it allows the manager to continue building on the success of that period. His team have reclaimed second spot in spite of losing twice to Rangers in the space of four days at the end of November and start of December. The three point lead is slender, though, and it could well be wiped out come full time on Wednesday. If they are to finish second then they must start winning against the big two Glasgow clubs and taking points back home with them having visited Ibrox and Celtic Park. That’s been the only criticism you could level at them this season and last as their form against the other teams in the league is excellent.
Rangers v Aberdeen Betting Tip
The way in which the Derek McInnes saga played out means there will be plenty of extra ferocity going into this game. Rangers released a statement when their attempts failed which questioned the motivation and ambition of the Aberdeen manager, and that’s unlikely to have been forgotten. Murty arguably got the job on the back of the two wins against Aberdeen so he will have fond memories and will be looking to go level on points and return to second spot with another win over the Dons. He will have several new signings to call upon in his bid to do just that, including Jamie Murphy and Jason Cummings who are both well known to Scottish football fans. It will be the first time any of Rangers’ new signings could make their competitive debut as their Scottish Cup tie was postponed on Sunday. Aberdeen were able to get back into the groove at the first time of asking with a 4-1 win over Championship leaders St Mirren and the manner of the victory should stand them in good stead for their trip to Ibrox.
Although some associated with the two clubs will feel they have an outside chance of catching Celtic, it’s more likely they will be competing for second spot and it’s a race that could go to the wire. Only three points separate them, in Aberdeen’s favour, but Rangers seemingly have the hold in terms of the meetings between the two. Aberdeen have to come up with something different it would appear if they are to get something from this but more importantly their mentality has to be better. Rangers can get themselves ready and organised for the games against the better teams, though, and they may just have the upper hand once again.
Rangers 24/25 @ Marathon Bet
