DONS midfielder Mark Kerr today warned the Old Firm – Aberdeen fear no one at Pittodrie.
Celtic travel to the Granite City on Sunday, before Rangers come calling the following weekend.
And with Aberdeen racking up five successive Pittodrie wins, Kerr insists they will be going all out to keep that impressive home run going.
He said: “There is absolutely no way Aberdeen will be intimidated by either Celtic or Rangers.
“We fear absolutely no one at Pittodrie.
“Celtic have real quality in their side and are flying high.
“But there is a confidence in our dressing room that we can pick up points against Rangers and Celtic.
“We must come out of these two games with something to keep the pressure on our rivals for third spot. Our home form has been good recently and we aim to keep that going.â€
Aberdeen leapfrogged Hearts into fourth place in the SPL after a 2-1 midweek win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Only two points now separate the rejuvenated Reds from third-placed Dundee United.
Kerr realises Aberdeen’s main rivals will be looking for the Pittodrie club to drop points against the Glasgow giants.
“Facing the Old Firm in back to back games is going to be tough,†he said.
“Our rivals will be looking at these two games as their chance to pick up points on us.
“They will probably see it as a good chance to leapfrog Aberdeen in the table, so it is important we do not let that happen.
“We need to keep putting the pressure on our rivals for Europe and do all we can to close the gap on Dundee United.â€
Aberdeen have yet to take a point off the Old Firm this season.
But Kerr, 26, insists any doubters need only look at the 3-2 defeat to the Hoops at Parkhead in September, as evidence of how dangerous the Dons can be.
“Aberdeen have already proved this season that we can more than compete with Celtic,†he said.
“We pushed them hard at Parkhead and were 2-1 up with only 10 minutes to go.
“It was disappointing to lose two late goals but it just shows what we can do.
“Although we lost 2-0 to Rangers at Ibrox in November we had some great chances in the first half.
“We could easily have put ourselves in front against them.
“Beating Kilmarnock was the ideal way to go into the games against the Old Firm because we are just two points behind Dundee United.â€
Aberdeen are back in the hunt for a Europa League spot despite a dismal start to the season.
Their early slump was so bad Calderwood’s side had the worst home record of any senior club in Britain.
Fast forward two months and a renewed optimism has hit the club – with the Dons now boasting one of the best home records.
“We started off slowly but Aberdeen’s situation is different now,†said Kerr.
“Everything is beginning to come together for this team and we are gelling on the pitch.
“We are now beginning to show just what we are capable of.
“Unfortunately we did not take the chance when it was there against Hamilton and that was a disappointing result.
“But Hamilton apart, we are on a good run of form with some good wins and that must continue.
“We face a massive run of games over the next few weeks because not long after the Old Firm games we have a Scottish Cup tie.
“Hopefully this can be a good month for us, and that must start against Celtic.â€
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