Joe Lewis has hit back at Kris Boyd and claims Aberdeen have found it EASIER to play against Rangers compared to Celtic.
Boyd irked the Red Army by suggesting the Dons always up their game against Gers after their 6-0 Parkhead humbling before the international break. Aberdeen haven’t beaten the Hoops since 2018 but have recorded two wins over the Light Blues in their last three meetings.
Dons star Jonny Hayes – who spent three seasons at Celtic – bit back at Boyd by insisting earlier this week that the Hoops have simply been better than their Glasgow rivals in recent years. And ex-Pittodrie skipper Lewis, 36, reiterated those remarks as he took Boyd to task in the Sky Sports studio ahead of today’s showdown in the Granite City.
Asked if Aberdeen try harder against Rangers, Lewis told Sky Sports: “Absolutely not. I think you are probably comparing results against Celtic compared to Rangers. They are two completely different teams. Celtic in the last number of years have been a far better team, and ‘easy’ might not be the right word to use, but it’s been much easier to play against Rangers. They give you more opportunities and have been a much weaker side. I think that’s probably why they’ve had the better results against them.”
He added: “There’s a better atmosphere here for Rangers games above all else, which maybe helps the team. I’ve heard Rangers players and managers last season commenting on the atmosphere here. Whether that affects them, it shouldn’t do. They play every week at Ibrox which is a loud stadium. I think Rangers need to look at their own performances against Aberdeen rather than Aberdeen against whoever else.”
There’s been no love lost between Aberdeen and Rangers over the years but Lewis insists the Pittodrie side don’t treat the fixture any differently.
Asked if the week is different building up to a Gers game, he said: “I can only speak for myself but it didn’t cross my mind. From Monday to Friday, it didn’t cross my mind until you get two days before and you start chatting about the opposition teams. There’s no difference in the build-up or attitude whatsoever. I think Rangers have been poor against Aberdeen. A bogey team maybe?”
GET MORE NEWS ON FAXSOCCER.COM
