Aberdeen v Rangers: Scottish Premiership – live

05 August 2018 11:55
Minute by minute updates as Steven Gerrard takes his league bowScottish football unusually buoyant after Rangers’ summerAny thoughts? You can email John | Tweet @JohnBrewin_ 12.54pm BST The pace of football commerce means the Dandy Dons are without most of last season’s attack, with Adam Rooney rather infamously having departed. He didn’t manage to score for Salford City yesterday; the goal in their 1-1 home draw with Leyton Orient was scored by Rory Gaffney, no relation of Dean. 12.52pm BST Derek McInnes speaksI think there are lots of positives but I think it’s a totally different game. It’s not the ideal game after Thursday night’s exertions but it’s a game where the players will be easily lifted and motivated, the adrenaline. It’s going to be a tough challenge, our battles are always with ourselves. 12.41pm BST Stevie G speaks. I am ok. I am excited. It’s not about me, it’s about Rangers. We will have to bring our “A game” and it’s important we do our stuff. We have to get ready for a domestic game. This is one of the toughest games we will face all season. We conceded too many last season. Rangers were a soft touch. It’s important we are brave and strong. It’s important that we get the ball in the right areas. It isn’t about what happened last season: I wasn’t here. We believe we are ready to come to places like this and get results. 12.33pm BST Gerrard looked typically determined when he got off the bus at Pittodrie. He’s never been the smiliest, minds. One extra issue to consider here. Derek McInnes is the man Rangers wanted before they turned to Stevie G. 12.17pm BST Those line-ups in a more analogue fashion. Aberdeen: Lewis, Ball, Devlin, McKenna, Considine, Shinnie, Gleeson, Ferguson, Mckay-Steven, McGinn, Cosgrove.Substitutes: Cerny, Forrester, Wright, May, Campbell, Anderson, Harrington. 12.16pm BST Richard Williams had his doubts about Gerrard back in May. Related: Steven Gerrard and how predicting which players will be good managers is pure guesswork | Richard Williams Related: Steven Gerrard and Rangers: a needless punt for such a dysfunctional club | Ewan Murray 12.12pm BST Because we have to mention them at some point, here’s a reminder of what went on yesterday, as Celtic took a firm grip on the title race. Related: Tom Rogic steadies Celtic with early goal in easy win over Livingston 12.02pm BST And here are the teams.Today's Aberdeen team to face Rangers at Pittodrie- kick off 1pm! #COYR! #StandFree pic.twitter.com/OmUYzwzWAS Your #RangersFC team for today's season-opener. pic.twitter.com/nmUedxxMmz 11.57am BST And so it begins for Stevie. A summer of good PR and what looks like decent transfer business will be on the road to being rendered meaningless if Rangers come a cropper at an opponent with which they share a enmity not quite as deep-seated as with those Bhoys in green, but which is often white-hot in its intensity; think the Fergie era at the Dandy Dons and that 2008 post-Manchester defeat that wrecked SPL title hopes. Aberdeen bloody love beating Rangers, and were annoyed not to do so last season while still finishing above them in the table to finish second. Behind all the bonhomie of pre-season, Gerrard should and almost certainly be under no illusions about the task in hand at Rangers. There may be talking of turning corners, of next pieces in the jigsaw, but make no mistake, any boss that takes on the Light Blues is #goingfor55 or bust. He has leeway for sure, but how much? Lose this one after Celtic beat Livingston on Saturday and the pressure is already on. Lose it heavily, and young Steven might be yearning for those friendly days out at Goodison and Old Trafford. He’s a young manager, he’s still learning, but he’s taken one hell of a job on. Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian