Aberdeen will head to face Rangers on Saturday with more than half their starting XI likely to be Ibrox novices. But Jim Goodwin insists there won’t be a shred of rookie nerves among his players as they look to ramp up the pressure on Gio van Bronckhorst and his misfiring Gers.
The Dons boss is adamant there is no fear factor going to Govan. In fact, if anyone is going to wilt under the spotlight he hopes it will be the home side as Aberdeen look to turn the heat from 50,000 home supporters on van Bronckhost’s toiling stars after another miserable week at home and in Europe.
Goodwin insists his summer signings including Ylber Ramadani, Bojan Miovski and Duk are made for the big stage. And just a fortnight after Hibs boss Lee Johnson suggested some players are “brainwashed” into fearing the Old Firm, his opposite number at Pittodrie is desperate to prove that’s not the case.
Of the 11 players who started last week’s 2-1 win at Motherwell that moved Aberdeen into third spot, seven have never played at Ibrox.
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