Ryan Christie wants Aberdeen to underline their credentials as the second best side in the country.
Tonight the loan Celt will be hoping for his first starting appearance when Derek McInnes’ side host Motherwell knowing that a win can lift them three points ahead of Sevco in second place.
Aberdeen have been runners up to Celtic in each of the last two seasons with the current campaign the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the progress that they are making.
Christie experienced all of the summer hype from Ibrox but after less than a fortnight at Pittodrie he can see the professionalism and standards that have made the Dons the best of the rest.
“A lot of eyes were on Rangers because they had come up from the Championship but overall I would say that Aberdeen are definitely the second best team in Scotland,” the midfielder told The Sun.
“They are the ones that should hopefully get second spot. If we do it it would be a credit.
“Aberdeen pushed Celtic close last season, while it’s a different experience for Rangers having to settle into the league.
“There have also been guys who have been here for three, four, five years and that makes a massive difference too.
“There’s a lot of good players here who have proved themselves in the league for years. Like Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney.
“We have great attacking threat and we pose great danger to teams we face. We don’t want to give up on second.
“Everyone in that changing room has the attitude that second place is ours to lose. It’s not as if it would be over-reaching for Aberdeen to get second place.”
Christie has made two substitute appearances for Aberdeen since his January loan deal and missed out on last week’s 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park.
After scoring as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Partick Thistle he’s expected to start tonight at home to Motherwell.
