It was our first domestic defeat in 25 games. Our first loss in the 2009/10 campaign. And all I could hear were the Aberdeen players celebrating in the home dressing-room at Pittodrie.
Ian Durrant stood up, pointed to the door and said: “Listen, that’s what this fixture means.” I’ll never forget that moment and it comes into focus whenever Rangers head up to the Northeast. We were on such a good run of form but Lee Miller’s goal sealed the points for Aberdeen 14 years ago. They beat us with 10 men after Mark Kerr had been sent off so it was a sore one to take.
And the noise coming down the corridor that day told me just how much they wanted to beat Rangers. My old strike partner Kris Boyd had his say on the Dons a couple of weeks ago after they lost 6-0 to Celtic at Parkhead. Basically, Boydy said they’ll lift their game when Rangers come to town. And he’s right. But to me, it’s an obvious statement.
I don’t want to be derogatory to the Aberdeen players. Because I genuinely believe no player tries harder or less depending on the opposition. But when you look back over the years at results when Aberdeen play Rangers, it’s a lot closer than against Celtic.
It was six a fortnight ago. I can think back to a NINE at Celtic Park as well, remember? There haven’t been too many of those hammerings when Rangers are involved.
That game in 2009 was the early part of the season, so it wasn’t going to decide anything. But listening to their celebrations? There was clearly a lot more at stake.
Aberdeen v Rangers means more to them than Aberdeen v Celtic. That’s just the way it is. I grew up with his fixture. When I was a boy, it seemed like the Skol Cup Final was Rangers v Aberdeen every year.
Who can forget Mark Hateley’s goals
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