Inside Rangers' bonding sessions in Aberdeen - 'not case of lads just going to their rooms on iPads'

Aberdeen has always been a tough place for Rangers to go, but the last few days in the north-east were particularly trying for the Ibrox squad.

Rangers flew straight to Aberdeen on Friday morning from Czech Republic after losing their Conference League play-off tie against Jablonec on penalties. The defeat ended their European campaign for this season - four years on from being Europa League finalists.

Going directly to the Granite City allowed the bruised Rangers squad some time together in very close proximity as they tried to get over a performance that their manager Derek McInnes labelled as “mortifying”. But the camp in Aberdeen paid off; Rangers overcame the Dons 1-0 at Pittodrie to win their first Premiership match of the season and also restore some much-needed confidence.

Rangers had a good weekend in Aberdeen. | SNS Group

One of the most experienced players in the Rangers squad is midfielder Dan Neil, who joined from Sunderland during the summer. The 24-year-old explained how beneficial is was for the squad to be together in Aberdeen for 48 hours.

“Over the last few days, we’ve spent time in Aberdeen as a team, in the hotel together,” said Neil. “It wasn’t a case of lads just going to their rooms on their iPads and nobody speaking. There were a lot of conversations, mostly about Thursday and the last few weeks, really, and about how important this game was [against Aberdeen].

“No matter what we did, we had to come away with three points. I think you’re seeing the connections that we’ve built over the last few days out on the pitch today.

“I think it was really important. During a season, you’re going to have ups and downs. The biggest thing is ironing them out really quickly. The few days we’ve managed to have together in Aberdeen, as a whole, not just the squad but all the staff and backroom staff, spending every hour with each other really, and having conversations about what we think we can improve on and what we’re doing well, have been really positive for the group.

“Everybody in the squad has got a voice. We ask everybody’s opinion and we respect everyone’s opinion. We try to speak as a team to iron out the things that we’re saying maybe aren’t going right at the minute. Obviously, I’m not going to go into what was said, but I think you’re seeing today that all the lads are together and willing to fight for each other.

“To top it off with three points at a tough place to come is really important.”

The season has not started the way that Neil wanted since his arrival for Wearside, but he is trying to use the lows as inspiration for further success. “I think you’ve just got to use it as motivation,” he added. “There’s always another game in football, especially with the schedule we’ve had, to react to it.

“We’ve got a great group in there that look out for each other. Listen, it comes with the pressure of playing for the club. Maybe personally and as a team, we haven’t started the way we thought we were going to start or the way we hoped we were going to start.

“But there is still a lot to play for this year. It’s three games into the league. Coming out of Europe was massively disappointing, we all wanted to play in Europe, but it was important that we didn’t let that affect the other things we can compete in and try to win.

“I think you saw against Aberdeen the lads sticking together and fighting for each other.”