Former Aberdeen striker Steve Cowan reckons the Dons could have Rangers flapping if Jim Goodwin unleashes the Duk in a three-pronged attack on Saturday.
Luis Lopes’ sensational opener in the weekend draw with Ross County made it three goals in nine substitute appearances for the summer signing.
Rangers are next up at Pittodrie just a week after being torn apart 4-0 by Celtic and the Red Army are desperate for their side to pile on Gers’ pain and want Lopes - dubbed Duk - thrown in for a first start.
Cowan, who won a league title with the club in 1984-85 and is a regular co-commentator on Red TV, likes their thinking and reckons the Portuguese ace beside Bojan Miovski and Vicente Besuijen would give any defence a headache.
He said: “Duk is the type of player defenders don’t want to play against. He’s so quick and direct.
“He has that low centre of gravity, balance and is very attack-minded.
“His goal down at Annan was excellent. The movement - to get across the front post at the corner and get the flick was tremendous.
“Then his goal against Ross County has deservedly got everyone talking.
“Besuijen too has been impressive in behind or out wide. Jim could play the three of them and what an attacking line-up that would be!
“Rangers full backs bomb forward so does Jim deploy wide players to match them or does he get them to drop off which maybe is not in Duk’s armoury?
“Even if he has him on the bench then he has a formidable weapon there.
“It’s massive to have that impact sub. This Aberdeen side will create opportunities and if you have someone with the skill of Duk to capitalise then there’s a good chance it will end in a goal.
“Even if Rangers weren’t playing midweek then I’d give Aberdeen a decent chance.
“ Aberdeen at Pittodrie should be looking to give anyone a game. If Duk plays along with Besuijen and Miovski they will certainly be a handful.”
Lopes’ ball control and ability to hurt teams with a piece of magic brings Cowan in mind of his old Dons team mate Gordon Strachan - even if he admits it’s way too early to be drawing comparisons.
He said: “His stature reminds me of Gordon.
“Gordon was a wonderful individual. He could score goals, dribble, cross, take free kicks .. he was the total package.
“That was a different era but if Duk was to watch videos of Gordon’s ability and courage on the ball and his determination to work back and ride challenges in a physical game then he might learn a thing or two.”
Goodwin’s side currently sit third in the table and Cowan said: “I really like this team. I did the first game at Celtic Park and even though they lost 2-0 I thought they acquitted themselves well.
“Right away I liked the look of Miovski up front. Scales at the back has done well and the signings have been really good across the board.
“A top four place should definitely be in their thinking.”
