Philippe Clement rejects idea that Aberdeen try harder when playing against Rangers

Philippe Clement has dismissed any idea that Aberdeen try harder against Rangers than they do in any other game.

Former Ibrox hero Kris Boyd suggested that was the case following Celtic’s 6-0 win over Barry Robson’s side ahead of the international break.

Clement rejects that notion and says he cannot believe that any team would be more motivated for one game than they are for the others.

But he does expect Aberdeen to come out fighting to show they are better than the performance against Celtic that he describes as “not one of their best days”.

Former manager Michael Beale’s tenure came to an end after a 3-1 defeat to Sunday’s opponents in Glasgow back in September.

However Clement says that will have no bearing on how he approaches the game.

He said: “The past is the past and every game has it’s own story, there are other players available now on both sides, it’s an away game, so that’s not an advantage in that way, every game has it’s own story and we need to focus on ourselves.

“Even if we had won the last game 6-0 then it would not have made any difference to my preparation for this game.

“Aberdeen’s last game was not their best day, but that’s not an advantage for us because you know after a game like that you always have a team that’s want to react and players that want to react to show they are better, and they are better, they’ve shown this over the last couple of months.”

When asked directly his thoughts on the suggestion from Boyd and some within the Ibrox support that Aberdeen will be more motivated for the visit of his side he said: “I cannot look back over the last months or last years how games where, but I don’t believe in those things to be honest, I cannot believe that players are more motivated for one game more than another game, for sure not anywhere where I am a manager because the story would be very short for those players if they are not motivated for every game.

“I am focused on my players and what they have to do, and the rest is not important or relevant.

“We need to do our own thing, we need to focus on ourselves and I want players who are there every game and I expect that to be the same with other teams.”

Rangers travel to Pittodrie to take on the Dons on Sunday for the first of 12 games in the next 37 days that also includes trips to Easter Road, Tynecastle, Celtic Park and Hampden for the League Cup Final.

And the Belgian admits they will have to be at their very best to continue his 100% record in the league into the new year.

But he insists they will not be looking any further than their game against Aberdeen who have defeated Rangers in the last two meetings between the sides.

“We have to step up (for the next 12 games in 37 days) if we want to keep the same results, there is no other choice. It’s also what I want. I don’t want players who are satisfied and feel like that is their end level.

“I think with this group, with a lot of work and concentration, they can still grow a lot as a team and as individuals and that’s what they need to show now over these next few weeks.

“It’s going to be game by game, I hope we can win all 12 games, that is my goal every time. I hope we can win the next 40 games because I want to win every time. But up until now in my career I have been disappointed as it never works out like that.

“So I know there will be bumps on the way, we just need focus firstly on Aberdeen. I want the players to only focus on the next game.”