Kenny Miller is “convinced” Aberdeen will set themselves out to frustrate Rangers in Sunday’s (17 December) Viaplay Cup final clash.
Rangers enter the contest at Hampden Park as favourites, but they have lost one and drawn one of their two Scottish Premiership fixtures with Aberdeen this season.
Indeed, going further back, Barry Robson has lost just one out of four encounters with Rangers as Dons boss, and Miller therefore sees no reason to change things this time around.
Writing his in column for the Daily Record [17 December], Miller said: “Knowing Barry quite well and watching his team a lot, I think it suits him to play Rangers.
“Obviously, there is the passion and rivalry that goes into the fixture and people saying Aberdeen step it up against Rangers.
“Well this is a cup final, so they will really step up with something massive to achieve. I’m convinced Barry will approach this one the way he has done the previous games – be very tight, five at the back, four across the middle and one up.
“Aberdeen will try and frustrate because they know there will be chances on the counter.
“Bojan Miovski got a simple goal against Rangers last time with a direct ball. Aris Limassol scored one like it at Ibrox. Rangers can be exploited and Aberdeen have done it with Barry in charge.”
Tough opponents
Nobody connected with Rangers is taking this game for granted, even if the Gers are in superb form.
After all, Aberdeen are the only team to have taken points off the Light Blues in the league since Philippe Clement took charge a couple of months ago.
The Dons do appear to have Rangers’ number in that they can find a way to pick up results in this fixture, and that is something Clement will have to be wary of at Hampden.
While it is pretty clear how Robson will set out his side, there are a few more question marks with regards to the XI that Clement will put out, owing to injuries and suspensions.
This presents a brilliant opportunity for Clement to lift some silverware so early in his tenure, but the Gers will have to be on top of their game if they are to do so.
Strap yourselves in for what should be a tight and entertaining contest at the national stadium.