Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin has insisted his team have no fear travelling to Glasgow this weekend because only Celtic are outscoring and out-defending them.
The Dons take on Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon, hoping to reinforce their good start to the season with a statement victory that solidifies third position.
For Celtic’s part, we are clearly hoping they pick up a result too, with Ange Postecoglou’s Bhoys not playing Livingston until Sunday. It’s another weekend of high stakes after Celtic moved four points clear last week.
Goodwin was playing a few mind games today comparing his side to Celtic, suggesting his team are outperforming Rangers on both sides of the ball.
He told Sky Sports: “The guys in my squad are very confident, a lot of self-belief in the group, we are scoring plenty of goals. I think it’s only Celtic in all competitions who have conceded fewer goals than us, and I think it’s only Celtic in all competitions who have scored more goals than us.
“So we are in a very, very good place just now. We know it’s going to be anything but easy because we respect the opposition and I have a lot of time for their manager as well. But by their own admission, they are not in a great place just now. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has said in recent press conferences that they aren’t playing to the levels they are capable of and in front of their own crowd last weekend against Livingston they were below par, by Gio’s admission.
“We have to make sure that’s the case again this weekend – that we get the game plan right, that we are brave on the ball, and we are defensively organised and disciplined.”
Rangers will remain favourites for the Scottish Premiership clash despite their troubles. That’s just the nature of them playing at home in the top-flight – we can never expect favours.
However, there’s certainly the possibility of a bonus before our kick-off on Sunday. If they drop points for the second successive week, Postecoglou’s team will have a fantastic chance to hammer home an advantage.
As Goodwin says, nobody in Scotland is performing as well as Celtic are right now, it’s all about whether other teams can keep up.
In other news, Report: Celtic surprise target for European Super League proposal; club’s stance already clear.
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