Dylan McGeouch has admitted “hard done by” Aberdeen want to go one better than they did at Ibrox and sink Rangers.
The midfielder was part of the Dons side who felt aggrieved to only come away with only a point in their 2-2 draw back in October.
Aberdeen stormed into an early two goal lead and the Light Blues had to rescue a point from a dubious penalty from James Tavernier.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is now in charge at Rangers and the Dons are looking to make sure all the points remain at Pittodrie this evening.
McGeouch stated: “We can take heart from the performance down there earlier in the season, we were not in great form and went there as underdogs but we put up a good performance.
“We were really unlucky not to get the three points, that gives us confidence.
“It was frustrating we didn’t win, we were disappointed afterwards and that shows how well we did.
“The penalty they got was a bit soft so we felt hard done by and hopefully this time we can go a step further and get three points.
“Rangers have changed manager and when that happens they stamp how they want to play on it.
“We have done our homework on them, hopefully we can use our game plan well.
“They are a different side to the way Steven Gerrard had them, they play differently.”
“But it’s the same players and the challenges are similar. They are a good team, with a lot of depth in their squad.
“So if we are going to get anything we will have to be at our best.”
The first half of Aberdeen’s season has been up and down but before the break they had turned Pittodrie into something of a fortress. McGeouch knows that has to continue.
The Dons player acknowledged: “Our record at Pittodrie in the first half of the season was decent, I think we have won five out of six which is decent form.
“So if we are going to do anything this season we have to be strong at home and make sure when teams come here they know they’re going to struggle.
“Hopefully we can keep that run going this week.”
Aberdeen moved back into the top six before the New Year and McGeouch knows they need to kick on and to have far more loftier ambitions. They have qualified for Europe for the past eight years and that is something they want to continue.
McGeouch confirmed: “We had a tough time earlier in the season but we look like we are bringing it back again.
“We got ourselves back in the top six right before the break came so we want to keep climbing the league now.
“We have to attack the second half of the season, look upwards instead of down the way and build more momentum.
“We have to show we can be a top side.
“The club has been in Europe for the last eight seasons in a row so that is the benchmark for us.
“At the start of the season you look at it and think that’s the minimum because that’s where the club feels it should be.
“There are always obstacles during the season but we are ambitious and the aim is to keep going up the table.
“We want to get into Europe but it won’t be easy because there are a lot of strong teams going for us.
“But hopefully, starting on Tuesday against Rangers, we can get going and build that momentum.”
Aberdeen are without Marley Watkins and their other long-term injured players.
