Mark Warburton insists hatred of Rangers is ‘sad and bemusing’

HE’S heard all about the bitterness and the hatred in this game.

How Aberdeen playing Rangers is one of Scottish football’s powderkeg fixtures.

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Mark Warburton insists hatred of Rangers is ‘sad and bemusing’

But Mark Warburton views the ill-feeling surrounding his team’s visit to Pittodrie tomorrow as sad and bemusing.

The Englishman has been told where the roots of the conflict supposedly lie, with differing accounts citing the start of the Graeme Souness era to Neil Simpson’s tackle on Ian Durrant.

Warburton admits he’s baffled by the feud, which will see Dons fans applaud in the 12th minute tomorrow to mock Rangers over the club’s 2012 demise.

And the Ibrox gaffer is saddened a football match is the focus of so much bad blood.

He said: “It does seem quite sad that it should be at this state.

“I don’t mean to be naïve, but it is a little bit bemusing.

“I keep hearing about the hatred, the pure hatred, the pure bitterness — it’s football we’re talking about.

“No one has really explained to me where it really came from.

“Someone said it was because Graeme Souness took over, and somebody else said it was the Ian Durrant tackle, and all these different things.

“I don’t really understand it and I haven’t asked the question why it’s a hostile environment with Rangers going to Aberdeen.

“They have had a good run in recent seasons and quite rightly have a strong squad managed well by Derek McInnes.

“So we will go out and enjoy the atmosphere, recognise, respect the opponent.

“I think our boys now realise that at most places they will get the same warmth of reception.

“I used to say to people: ‘Who are we playing? What’s the relationship like?’ Now I don’t bother asking. I know the answer.

“Are the players getting used to the hostility they face at these away grounds? I think they are getting there. It is interesting when you speak to some of the new guys like Clint Hill, Niko Kranjcar and Matt Gilks.

"They are all very experienced and seasoned pros.

“These are guys who have played in the Premier League for years and years and have a number of international caps but they are now getting used to how things are up here.

“They have been shocked by the rivalries and the apparent hatred from certain fans.

“You have to recognise what’s coming and prepare yourself for it. You have to understand it.

“I’m well aware of the rivalry. I’m well aware of the welcome we will apparently receive.

“But we have to enjoy these games. We respect Aberdeen for the quality of side they are and for what they’ve done in recent years and the real threat that they pose. We need to go there, hopefully in good form, and enjoy the encounter.

“I understand we have less tickets — 2000 compared to 3500 — and it will be less noisy from the Rangers end maybe but we’ll still go and enjoy it.”

Despite the poison of Pittodrie being new to all of the Rangers players bar Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller, Warburton is confident they won’t crumble.

Instead, the Ibrox gaffer hopes his players will be inspired by the atmosphere because it’s much better than playing in front of three men and a dog in the lower leagues.

He said: “How will we handle it? They are professionals.

“It would be poor of me to say we’re not ready for that.

“I’d be lying if I said we’ve all experienced it but at the same time they are all professional footballers and they came to Rangers to play in these games.

“Where would you rather be? Playing in front of three, 4000 in League One or at a packed Pittodrie live on TV?

“There’s no doubt where anyone round the table here would rather be but you have to recognise it, deal with it and deliver a performance.”

After a horror few weeks Rangers got back on track with Tuesday’s 5-0 demolition of Queen of the South in the League Cup.

With Joey Barton banned and away plugging his book, the Gers midfield looked full of energy once again.

That brought about an increase in performance all over the park, with Martyn Waghorn bagging a hat-trick.

Warburton, who refused to discuss if the Dons’ Thursday night slog against St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup will help Rangers, said: “I was delighted for Waggy to come back. He got time on the Saturday and showed his fitness, and he was very good the other night getting his hat-trick.

“As always, he will be a key player this season.”

Another pivotal player who has come back into the side recently was Jason Holt, and skipper Lee Wallace reckons the return of the midfielder is massive for the team.

He said: “When Holty plays there is a different dynamic. We know there is going to be a lot of movement.

“He got 12 goals last season and a number of assists so we know he is going to impact the game going forward.

“When he does that, he is going to make Kenny Miller a better player because he is going beyond and asking questions of defenders.

“The knock-on effect can be Barrie McKay playing well. And if Barrie plays well, there is a high chance of me playing well. And so on.

“When Jason is in the team I feel there is a real sense that he makes everybody better with everything he does.

“You have seen the quality he has shown in the last couple of games.

“We are blessed to have Holty back because he has suffered a little bit with injuries.”

Wallace reckons Rangers are now back to themselves after the early-season wobble, adding: “We are playing more like ourselves, back to how we were perceived to be playing last season.

“We created a number of chances against Ross County and Scott Fox had a good afternoon.

“Winning two or three-nil wouldn’t have been out the question for that game.

“The Queen of the South game was more of the same, if not better. It was pleasing to see and it’s about building on that.

“We respect the fact Aberdeen have been a top side in the top flight for a number of years.

“They are well managed with a number of good individual players who can hurt us if we are not on our game.

“We respect that but we are going there after a 10-day period of gaining confidence and we will enjoy the game.”