Nicky Devlin shares Rangers pressure verdict ahead of Aberdeen clash at Pittodrie
Rangers will view the game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in a positive light rather than with a lot of pressure, according to the hosts’ Nicky Devlin.
The Scotland international says he knows how difficult it will be from the Dons’ perspective on Wednesday night [30 October], despite their unbeaten start to the league season which sees them sit six points clear of Philippe Clement’s side.
Jimmy Thelin’s men have only dropped two points so far this term, in a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park in which they recovered from two goals down, denied an iconic win by a late disallowed goal.
“Is the pressure all on Rangers and is it a good time to play them? It is if we win,” Devlin told the Daily Record [30 October].
“I don’t think they’re in a bad place, to be honest – they’re right behind us and Celtic at the moment. I’m sure they’ll look at this as a chance to close that gap. So we know we will have to be at our best to get the three points.
“This is a game we’re looking forward to and want to win but we are under no illusions how difficult it will be. Rangers have won their last couple of games comfortably, including one in Europe.”
Rangers will look back on Aberdeen trip one way or another
Whichever way the fixture goes at Pittodrie, you sense it is one Rangers will look at in hindsight as a potential season definer.
Those of a Celtic persuasion will remain tight-lipped over how they wish the game to pan out, stuck between a rock and a hard place, but Aberdeen have admittedly done superbly well to keep pace thus far.
As for the Gers, while some results have been pitiful – the late defeat by Kilmarnock [20 October] ringing a loud bell – the overall form has been about as anticipated, but the standard has been high and there are consequently six points to make up, putting Clement under significant pressure.
The Belgian boss and his charges can do half the job by snatching a win, and they remain slight favourites for the three points.
The Dons, however, will look at their own form as the sole reason why there is no better opportunity to play Rangers than now.
In other Rangers news, Andy Halliday has had this to say on Nico Raskin.
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