David Robertson on the difficulty of moving from Aberdeen to Rangers

David Robertson believes it's much easier for players these days to make the move from Aberdeen to Rangers.
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
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The left-back, who starred for both clubs, found himself public enemy No.1 with Dons fans after signing for the Ibrox club in 1991 for a fee close to £1million.

Ryan Jack became the latest player to make the controversial switch this past summer when he joined Pedro Caixinha’s side on a free transfer.

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David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS

The midfielder was booed by Aberdeen supporters during a recent Scotland international at Pittodrie, though Robertson believes it’s was more difficult to deal with in his time.

He told the Times: “It’s a tough move. I think closer to the [Graeme] Souness era, it was tougher to deal with.

“But many players have gone. Ryan Jack has gone there and I think it’s been relatively smooth.

David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS

“Stephen Wright was after me, and Theo Snelders. There’s been a few, so I don’t think the hassle is what it used to be.”

Robertson even recalls being physically assaulted by a fan after he returned to Pittodrie for the first time with Walter Smith’s side

He added: “It wasn’t difficult going back to Pittodrie. I didn’t know what to expect – I thought I’d get a little bit of a cheer, but obviously I didn’t. They gave me a hard time and shouted things.

“Even in the south stand, a few things were thrown at me and I actually got a call from the police after the game asking if I wanted to press charges on a guy who punched me in the back when I was taking a throw in.

“But, to be honest, that sort of stuff spurred me on more than anything. It probably made me play better. It maybe worked against them.”