Willie Miller sees opener against Rangers as the ideal game for Aberdeen to put down a marker

IT’S the plum fixture of the Premiership’s opening weekend.

And Willie Miller reckons Aberdeen can set the tone for a title tilt by taking a bite out of Rangers.

The Dons coughed up 10 points to the Gers last season. They proved priceless at the business end, when Celtic claimed the crown with a nine-point cushion over Derek McInnes’ side.

The Reds have been handed the chance to get the season off to a flyer, with a week one win over Steven Gerrard’s new-look Rangers.

For Dons legend, Miller, it’s one that could set them up for a season to remember.

“Aberdeen’s results against Rangers last season were abysmal,” he said.

“But if you turn round the three defeats they took off them in the league, and make them three victories, it puts Aberdeen level on points with Celtic.

“For argument’s sake, that shows you how important the results against Rangers were.

“From that point of view, Derek will be concerned going into the first game of the new season, because of the history.

“What they had to do against Rangers last season, they didn’t do, and they’ll be looking to try and turn that around.

“So it’s an opportunity for Aberdeen to put right some of the wrongs of last season.

“If they can do that, they’ll lay down a marker for the campaign. From there, if Aberdeen can take care of Rangers on a regular basis next season – and keep doing what they did against all the other teams – there’s no reason they can’t have a very successful campaign.”

Miller knows what it takes to dump the Gers on opening day.

He was part of the Dons side that did exactly that in August 1977 at Pittodrie, where a Joe Harper strike and a Drew Jarvie double helped Aberdeen to a comfortable 3-1 win over Jock Wallace’s side.

It had new faces in Davie Cooper, Gordon Smith and Bobby Russell.

Gerrard will be desperate to avoid beginning his Ibrox reign in that manner with his new charges.

But with the attention of the wider footballing world focused firmly on the Gers boss, Miller reckons Aberdeen have a chance to take advantage.

“There’s great rivalry between both teams, so any kind of a victory is a marker,” he said.

“But if you get one that’s emphatic, and puts clear distance between you and Rangers, it’s even more so.

“That’s what Derek will be looking for – to get his team off and running on a high.

“There will be a big crowd, anyway. But with Rangers’ new manager – and all the hype about some of the players he’s going to bring in – there will be plenty of focus and pressure on the day.

“So it’s a great opportunity for Aberdeen, for Derek, and for his players, to show what they are capable of.”

McInnes has brought in Chris Forrester from Peterborough United this summer, but is still in need of a number of recruits to replace departing stars like Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie, Anthony O’Connor, Greg Stewart and Dominic Ball.

Top scorer Adam Rooney has also been linked with a move away from Pittodrie.

For Miller, recruitment – and, hopefully, hanging on to Scott McKenna – is the key factor that will decide how the Dons shape up next season.

“Derek spoke about the recruitment last season, putting a question mark over some of the players he’d brought in,” said Miller.

“That was the manager himself putting that question out there.

“You don’t see that too frequently, but he obviously felt it was important enough to highlight, and also to send a message to the players themselves.

“I don’t think you can hide from the fact that the fans have been talking about various areas of the park – the centre of defence, the wide areas, up front – in terms of needing to be strengthened.

“Getting that job done is going to be vital this summer.

“If the club can keep Scott McKenna – and they’re in the fortunate position of having him on a long-term contract – that will be huge, too.

“Overall, I’m optimistic.

“Things have been going along really well under the manager for years, and I don’t see any real reason for this season to be different.”

From 1pm on Sunday, August 5, we’ll have a better idea on what’s in store – for both teams.