The telltale signs that prove Rangers are right to be worried about Aberdeen being the real deal

Aberdeen fans, by their very nature, don’t get carried away. It could be 90 degrees and blazing sunshine, and Dandies will tell you to take a brolly just in case.

Which is why someone quite special is brewing up in the Granite City. The Red Army are piling into Pittodrie expecting blue skies rather than rain. They are getting carried away. And fair play to them. Listen, we’re barely a quarter of the way through the season and there is a heck of a long slog ahead.

Dons fans know that. They are well aware the winter months can bite, when injuries and suspensions pile up and the quest for points becomes more of a slog than a sprint. But they have already seen plenty of evidence to suggest their side has got enough about them to hang tough for a good while yet.

Everyone said Celtic was the big test, and coming back from two down proved they have what it takes. It was and it wasn’t. Celtic got a little slack and then taken aback by Jimmy Thelin’s half-time changes and going for broke.

No one does that to Celtic. When teams go two down at Parkhead the thought is getting out without taking more damage, not getting back into the game. The fact the Swede went for it and got his reward will have sent confidence surging. But it was Saturday’s victory against Dundee United that gave an even bigger indication this lot are the real deal – at least right now.

United are a decent side. They kind of had a go in the first half but once again Thelin went all in for that second period. He might be intentionally dull with a microphone or dictaphone under his nose, but he’s a brave and bold boss where it matters. In years gone by, Aberdeen would have wanted to beat their old north east rivals but wouldn’t have thrown any toys out at