Considering Aberdeen survived what was seen as the first major test of Jimmy Thelin’s buoyant new era by coming from two down to draw at Celtic Park, they will go into a home game against a vulnerable Rangers with growing belief of sustaining a title challenge.
Brendan Rodgers’ reigning champions are the only side to have denied the Swede’s side a victory in 15 outings this season – and nine of the victories, including Sunday’s 1-0 win over Dundee United, have come in front of their home fans.
A 3-1 defeat at home to a less intimidating Aberdeen last September was a contributing factor to Michael Beale’s demise as Rangers manager and the Ibrox side have failed to win at Pittodrie in their latest two visits.
Current Ibrox boss Philippe Clement arrives with grumbles among the fanbase growing over his own position just over a year since the Belgian took charge.
Rangers recovered from their insipid 1-0 defeat in Kilmarnock with a convincing 4-0 dismissal of FCSB in the Europa League, but they then laboured to a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.
Those wins were both at Ibrox. Away from Govan, Clement’s side have only won twice in six outings this season and, in the Premiership, have taken all three points just twice in nine outings – one in their last six.
At least he knows how to beat Aberdeen, albeit winning their latest two meetings came before they came under Thelin’s spell – and, again, those were at home.
Clement left Pittodrie with a 1-1 draw on his only visit there almost exactly a year ago, but a repeat would do little to ease the pressure on the former Club Brugge boss considering it would leave Rangers still six points behind the Dons and probably more adrift of Celtic.
Clement surprised many by dropping captain James Tavernier to the bench on Sunday. A return for the Englishman seems likely considering his 13 goals against Aberdeen is more than any player has against a single club since the Premiership was rebranded in 2013.
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