BRENDAN RODGERS versus Steven Gerrard is the box-office, heavyweight battle of the new Premiership season. But the red corner v blue corner bouts will arguably throw up more interesting contests — starting today at Pittodrie. Gerrard’s arrival in Scottish football has made headlines across the worldWillie Vass So much has been made of the Rodgers v Gerrard match-up and understandably so. Just four years ago they were manager and captain of a Liverpool team that nearly won the Premier League. Now they have been pitted directly against each other in one of the fiercest rivalries in the game. Yet the first, and maybe most important, battle Gerrard has to face is against Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes. The Liverpool legend will come up against his old bossPA:Press Association And that has the potential to be the most fascinating subplot as the new season unfolds over the next few months. Rangers need to walk before they can run. Before thinking of a title challenge, they first need to see off the Dons. Do you think McInnes is just going to stand aside and let Gerrard establish his team as Celtic’s closest challenger without a fight? This fixture doesn’t need any extra edge. There is no love lost between both clubs. Gerrard’s arrival at Ibrox will only add to that and you can bet that McInnes will be up for this new challenge. Given what happened last season with Rangers’ long pursuit of the Pittodrie boss and how it ended, motivation won’t be an issue. McInnes has built something really strong at Aberdeen in the last few years. They have been Celtic’s closest challengers and while results against Rangers weren’t good last season, they once again beat them to second place. McInnes saw off Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha over the course of 18 months. He then had to listen to all the stuff about how Graeme Murty was a better bet than him as Rangers boss. He will face off against Derek McInnes todayPA:Empics Sport That talk came after the interim Ibrox manager beat McInnes’ side three times in the space of two months. But by the end of the season, Murty had been relieved of his duties and Aberdeen had finished runners-up. It was another big achievement, but McInnes won’t want to stop there. He is rebuilding this Aberdeen side after losing key players and on the evidence of the Burnley games, there is cause for optimism. Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie, Greg Stewart, Anthony O’Connor, Kari Arnason and Adam Rooney all left in the summer. That left a big void in his squad, but in the likes of Mikey Devlin, Tommie Hoban and Lewis Ferguson, he looks to have made shrewd signings. Chris Forrester and Stephen Gleeson have also arrived with good pedigrees and will add to the midfield options. Up front is where Aberdeen are lacking quality, but McInnes is fully aware of that. It’s common knowledge that he is looking to bring in at least one striker and that will be crucial. Ferguson has impressed since joining the DonsScottish News and Sport If he does get some joy in the market, there is no reason why they can’t have another strong season. Nothing will be decided today, but every single Aberdeen-Rangers game is huge and both sides will be out to make a statement. The match comes quickly after tough Europa League qualifiers, but season openers don’t get much more exciting. Gerrard is used to the big occasion and this will be an early domestic test for the new Rangers boss. His Ibrox reign has started well. The first two Europa League rounds have been negotiated professionally and without too much fuss. Conceding just one goal across the four ties is an impressive stat and Gerrard has been clever with his defensive signings. Allan McGregor is already a huge influence in his team. He makes big saves at big moments. In front of him, Connor Goldson looks an astute capture from Brighton and offers leadership and strength at the back. Jon Flanagan has added experience and composure and there is no doubt Rangers look far more solid. Flanagan joined Gers in the summerWillie Vass Middle to front is where there is room for improvement and Gerrard still looks to be searching for the right blend. He has at least eight central midfielders to pick from when all are fit and there are plenty of attacking options, too. But for me, the Rangers boss still needs that one game-changer, that player who can really make a difference. Alfredo Morelos has put in a power of work in the Europa League games, but he will need help this season. Umar Sadiq has talent but looks raw and probably won’t be ready to take on the burden as the main man. Over the next few weeks, Gerrard will surely look to add in that forward area and it could make all the difference. RELATED STORIES POUNDSTRETCHERS McInnes believes his side can finish above Gers AGAIN despite financial gap BIG INTERVIEW We expected McLeish or another big name.. then we got Pedro, says Clint Hill WIN OR BUST James Tavernier says Rangers MUST win at Aberdeen in order to avoid early dip DAVIE PROVAN Rangers have given Steven Gerrard the cash.. now it’s time for him to deliver WIN OR WIN Hill says Rangers’ new recruits will never experience anything like Ibrox life IN OUR SIGHTS Greg Docherty ‘being targeted’ by Shrewsbury on loan amid Sunderland interest In that respect, the Rangers boss is in a similar situation to his Aberdeen counterpart — but both must go with what they have at Pittodrie today. It’s been a great week for Scottish football, with our clubs all doing well in Europe. For Celtic, Hibs and Rangers to progress was massive. Aberdeen bowed out against Burnley but deserved the plaudits they got. CHERRY PICK Rangers eye up loan deal for Bournemouth defender Jack Simpson Today’s game in the Granite City rounds off an exciting few days and it’s a mouth-watering prospect. Gerrard v McInnes hasn’t captured much attention so far, but it could become one of Scottish football’s great rivalries. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news, transfers and goals from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Source: Scottish Sun, News
Source: Scottish Sun, News
