TIME was, not so long ago, when Rangers would travel to Aberdeen as marginal fav-ourites, whatever the circumstances, but they made the trip north yesterday regarded by Ladbrokes as 13-8 on to take three points from a game that invariably is one of their most difficult assignments.
Football people being the way they are, that kind of scenario will disturb the Rangers management. Aber-deen may appear like a team sliding down the chute to mediocrity but there is more than enough pride and determination in the Pittodrie dressing room to guarantee an uprising against such surmising.
Rangers manager Walter Smith will not be surprised to discover a serious resistance in the other half of the field this afternoon. He said: ''Although Aberdeen have not had the best of results recently that will make them all the more determined and even more difficult to beat, remembering they are always tough opponents in any case.
''From their point of view, Aberdeen will see beating Rangers as no better way of ending their bad run.''
He would not have been surprised to hear his peer at Pittodrie say something similar. Said Roy Aitken: ''We are playing against the top team in the country and must be at our best. We can win, if we play to our capabilities.
''No matter who I put on the park I am looking for the right attitude. Frankly the approach, the hunger and desire have not been right and to their credit they have admitted this.
''There have been discussions aimed at getting to the bottom of the matter because one win and six draws in the last 14 games is not good enough for this club.
''We should be getting better results because the fitness and ability are there. They showed that in the first half of the season by getting us into a challenging league position.
''Each and every one of them needs to take a good look in the mirror and ask what more can he do individually and collectively to improve our form. It is hard to do that and ask that question but they must be ready to do themselves justice.
''It is the responsibility of me and my staff to ensure this happens. It is up to us to turn the screw and demand more. Mentally and physically, they must be right against Rangers, who have such quality in players, like Laudrup and Albertz, among others. We will give Rangers total respect but if we do our job properly we can get the result everyone here needs.
''It is a big game with a big crowd. This should bring the right reaction and motivations for my players.''
The manager is not well off up front, with two suspended strikers, top scorer Billy Dodds and Dean Windass, out, and another, Duncan Shearer, injured. In addition, defender John Inglis is suspended.
Bulgarian defender Tzanko Tzvetanov and record-signing Paul Bernard face late fitness tests, but Aitken is hopeful that at least one will come through to ease his problems.
Smith has ruled out midfield man Derek McInnes, who has a twisted knee following the game against Hibs last week - not connected with the tackle by David Elliot which cost the Hibs man a red card as well as a fine - but against that, Trevor Steven has recovered from his knock and is available.
Craig Moore is back in the squad but the news about Paul Gascoigne is that he may have the plaster removed from his ankle on Monday, although he would still not be a candidate for the Old Firm cup game next Thursday.
q RANGERS' vital league match with Dundee United will now go ahead on Wednesday, March 12 - providing they do not need a cup replay.
The crunch with on-form United was postponed last week after gale-force winds and driving rain made conditions unsafe.
However, the new date will stand only if there is a winner in Thursday's Old Firm Scottish Cup quarter-final at Parkhead. If a replay is required then the Ibrox club will again have to try to reschedule the match.
Meanwhile, Dundee United's Tennents Scottish Cup-tie against Motherwell at Tannadice will be all-ticket - and that has left Motherwell with a headache.
Secretary Alan Dick said last night: ''We are getting 2500 tickets, but as we had more than 3000 supporters at both our ties against Hamilton it will mean a considerable rush with a number being left disappointed.''
Tickets for season ticket holders will be on sale on Monday and Tuesday, and the remain-der from Wednesday.
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