David Bates in pointed Rangers goal assesement as Aberdeen defender fumes 'you don't get the big calls at Ibrox'

David Bates believes Aberdeen’s display in defeat to Rangers on Saturday can be the template to allow the Dons to climb the Premiership table.

The Dons defender insists that the disappointment at losing to a late Kemar Roofe goal won't be allowed to remove the positives as they attempt to pull themselves up from tenth spot and strive for a top-six finish.

Bates also claims the Light Blues were given the benefit of the doubt in the build-up to the game’s crucial moment due to the Ibrox factor.

But he insisted there was more than enough on show from his team to have confidence they’re heading in the right direction under new boss Jim Goodwin as they look to improve on the goals against column.

He said: “The gaffer has said that we have got a lot of hard work to do in the next week. Obviously he is going to get his ideas across. That can only be good for us. We will get on the same page and look forward to it.

“I thought we defended pretty well throughout. We tried to be organised at the back and keep it tighter. That was the gaffer’s first point when he came in and I think we did do that.

“Obviously it was disappointing to concede late on, but I thought we defended pretty well throughout. I was so disappointed coming in after that late goal. It was not a great goal to concede, either.

“The boys were saying there was a foul in the build-up. When the first cross came in there was a foul on Calvin Ramsay.

“I am sure it was a foul. I thought Bassey jumped into him. You don’t get the big calls at Ibrox so we just need to move on.”

Former Gers and Hamburg stopper Bates is also convinced Goodwin’s message of being bolder in possession is emerging in performances as all eyes now turn to hosting Hibs a week on Saturday.

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