JON FLANAGAN is preparing for another physical encounter against an Aberdeen side that ‘don’t play that much football’ at Ibrox.
Rangers have yet to beat Derek McInnes’ side on home soil this term after losing 1-0 and 2-0 respectively in the Premiership and Scottish Cup.
And it was the Dons that ended Steven Gerrard’s hopes of lifting the Betfred Cup as Lewis Ferguson netted the only goal of their semi-final clash at Hampden.
The 4-2 victory away from home in February is the only time that Rangers have beaten Aberdeen in six outings so far this season.
But a win at Ibrox tomorrow afternoon would secure second spot in the league for Gerrard’s side.
Rangers have struggled to adapt to Aberdeen’s style as McInnes and his players have got the best of the Light Blues and Flanagan is expecting another tough battle when the teams meet for the final time this term.
He said: “I think we owe them one, the chat amongst the lads and the team is that we owe them one.
“We haven’t been at our best against them this year and I think it is time to put a statement out and try and get the win.
“We know ourselves that our performances and some of the results haven’t been the best this year, but that is in the past and it is gone. We are just concentrating on moving forward and next up it is Aberdeen. Hopefully we can get the win and put a statement out there.
“I don’t know really [what makes them awkward to play against]. I don’t think there is a pinpoint. It is maybe just consistency in our games with the results.
“Aberdeen don’t play that much football, they try and make it tough by playing long balls and getting in your face. But we have got to be able to deal with that.
“You know it is always going to be tough against them and they are always going to have a bit of a battle with you. But it is what it is and we have got to overcome that.
“We are Rangers, we are a massive club and we have got to be beating Aberdeen no matter what they throw at us.
“I have said before that every team that comes to Ibrox all try and raise their game and it is like a bit of a cup final for them. As I said, we have got to deal with that and overcome it.”
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