Celtic narrowly beat Glasgow rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas is backing Aberdeen to give Celtic more of a contest than Rangers did on Sunday.
Celtic travel to Pittodrie on Saturday lunchtime to face their closest challengers in the race for the Scottish Premiership crown.
The Bhoys rested a number of key players for Wednesday’s 4-0 win against Ross County, after being taken to the wire by Old Firm rivals Rangers in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup last weekend.
Brendan Rodgers’ men required an 87th-minute winner from Moussa Dembele to see off the Gers at Hampden Park, but were certainly the most threatening of the two sides – taking 24 shots to their opponents’ eight.
And Nicholas, who played for both Aberdeen and Celtic, believes the Dons will give the league leaders a better run for their money than Mark Warburton’s team managed.
“Aberdeen have pace and power up front with the likes of Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney and they have a strong midfield now,” Nicholas told Sky Sports. “If you score first against Celtic you just don’t know. Aberdeen this weekend I can guarantee will have a real go at them.
“It’s a massive game for Aberdeen and for the league for a bit of credibility. It’s 11 versus 11 and you’re going to have a full house. There’ll be drama, emotion and physicality. I expect Aberdeen to give Celtic more of a contest than Rangers did last weekend.”
Rangers, who were promoted to the top-flight in May, have made their worst start to a season in 27 years and currently sit fifth in the standings – albeit it only two points behind second-place Aberdeen.
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