'It's important to get better': Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin relishing Rangers test

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin admits facing Rangers is a good marker of their progress.

Both sides have taken four points from the three meetings between the pair this season but Aberdeen are 15 points behind Barry Ferguson’s side after failing to maintain their flying start to the campaign.

Thelin said: “For us it’s important we also get better. Rangers are doing well. They are ahead of us in the table and in the future, we want to be better and better every season, and the best way to do that is to play against the good teams and try to be better all of the time.

“It’s a good game right now, so we can push ourselves and perform really well and try to get the result.”

Rangers are guaranteed to finish second but they are desperate to end a wait for a home victory which is now beyond three months.

Thelin said: “The games between Rangers and Aberdeen are always big and important for both teams.

“I don’t think they’re going to feel anything like they are not connected with the game or whatever. I think it is still a really exciting game to play.

“It’s still our aim to reach Europe and nothing has really changed in our mentality, what we want to achieve.

“We have to go there and try to be the best we can be, and put on a good performance.”