Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes claims Rangers are favourites to finish second in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Rangers slipped out of second after a 2-0 defeat to Hearts on Wednesday night. Mark Warburton's side have already lost to Celtic and Aberdeen this season but McInnes feels their spending potential gives them an advantage.

Aberdeen can go a point ahead of Rangers with two games in hand if they win at Ibrox on Saturday but McInnes said: "I still think Rangers, just by the sheer nature of what they can do in January as well, will be favourites to finish second.

"But we certainly feel second spot is something we can aim for and if we win our games in hand we would go second. Any time you beat teams round and about you it helps because you are inflicting damage on them."

It will be Aberdeen's first visit to Ibrox since a 1-1 draw in January 2012 when Maurice Edu and Kari Arnason were on the scoresheet. The atmosphere is sure to reflect that animosity between both sets of supporters has not diminished and McInnes will tell his players to expect a hostile reception.

"I think it's something we have to mention," he said. "The game up here was much anticipated, certainly from our supporters, a full house.

"But it passed without real incident. The talking point was James Maddison's magnificent free-kick. Hopefully we are talking about the football at the end of it and hopefully another three points for Aberdeen. That's what we are aiming to do.

"The players should expect and will expect a tough game, and going into an intimidating atmosphere like that is part of growing up and dealing with what we need to deal with. I still want us to go there and be brave and play our game."