Jim Goodwin admits there's no hiding the challenge that lies ahead for Aberdeen as they go head to head with Celtic and Rangers within the space of three days upon return from the World Cup break. Although he believes his side will take lots of encouragement in how St Mirren performed when they inflicted the Hoops solitary domestic defeat in September.
The Scottish Premiership has been in cold storage for the past five weeks with the Dons last outing against Dundee United ending in a 1-0 victory for the north-east side which propelled Goodwin's men into third place. The Pittodrie boss has not been afraid to hide his ambitions to ensure the club return to the European stage after a disastrous campaign last season and he knows it's time the current group of players produced a positive result against the Old Firm, especially with both clashes taking place on home soil where the Reds have only lost once in seven league games.
He said: "The first two fixtures are as difficult as they can get because they are the top two teams in the country at the moment. Celtic have only had one defeat all season up until now against St Mirren away from home, so we've got to take a little bit of encouragement from that result. I thought St Mirren's game plan on the day was excellent, I thought they frustrated Celtic for large periods and deservedly won the game. What that proves is that they can be beaten if you get a number of things right on the day.
"We respect them as an opposition, they're a very good side and they've scored in excess of 50 goals this season already. But our home form has been excellent and won six out of seven league games at Pittodrie. We've scored the same amount of goals I think as Celtic and Rangers have done at home as well. Our defensive record which is something people have been quick to point the finger at us and deservedly so because our away record defensively has been poor, but here at home we've only conceded six goals.
"It's only Celtic and Rangers who've got a slightly better goal difference than us at home so we've got to take all of the positives and the confidence from those things, albeit it we know how difficult it's going to be. Recent results in maybe the last decade or so haven't made for great reading from an Aberdeen perspective, and that's something me and this new group of players want to put right."
Goodwin is relishing a return to competitive action having played just one friendly, versus Atlanta United, during the break. Aberdeen are winless in 14 home meetings with Celtic and despite knowing the qualities they possess, the Dons manager was quick to send a reminder out that star striker Bojan Miovski is the league's top goalscorer and he reckons he has built a side capable of causing the current champions problems come kick-off on Saturday.
"I think I speak on behalf of all my staff and players and the supporters where I say we're all excited to get things back up and running," Goodwin added. "The fixtures don't come much tougher as far as we're concerned but we're really looking forward to it and the players are ready, it's as simple as that. I wouldn't be as bold to suggest there's ever a good time to get one of the top teams in the country. I'm pretty sure some of the Celtic players will be in a similar frame of mind to my guys where they've missed playing competitive football.
"I'm pretty sure they'll be just as excited as what we are. Regardless of the players they've had involved in the World Cup they've got a huge squad of real top quality and international players.
"We just have to try and focus on what we're capable of doing. We've been in a great run of form and we've got some young, talented players in our team that are capable of causing Celtic some problems as well.
"[Bojan] Miovski is top goalscorer in the league aged 23, Duk is 22 and on six goals already in the league so we've got some really good firepower in our team as well and we have to remind ourselves of that and not be in awe of the opposition on Saturday. We'll respect them, we know that they're a good side but I believe that we're a good team too."
Goodwin has a full squad to choose from other than Cal Roberts who remains a long term absentee with a hamstring injury.
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