The Red Beast is not rattled

spl attackers hold no fears for ifil as he faces old team-mate at well

By Michael Gannon

Published:

FLOOD OF CONFIDENCE: Jered Ifil will be concentrating on stopping Motherwell at Fir Park today. Colin Rennie

Aberdeen defender Jerel Ifil insists none of the SPL’s attackers has given him any sleepless nights – and he is relaxed at the prospect of going up against former team-mate Lucas Jutkiewicz at Motherwell today.

The pair, who played together at Swindon, square up for the first time since Ifil joined the Dons and Jutkiewicz moved to the Steelmen on loan move from Everton.

The Dons defender rates the Well forward but is more concerned about his own side’s performance at Fir Park today.

Ifil said: “I cannot remember much about the rest of their players but I know Lucas Jutkiewicz from our time together at Swindon.

“He is a good player but nothing we cannot handle.

“No one I have played against has really stood out.

“If anything I have felt I could do better against them than the other way round.

“It is really up to us to be at the top of our game because if we do what we are supposed to then we will do well.”

Ifil is unconcerned with any opposition – and that also goes for the Old Firm.

He has not been bogged down with history and sees no reason why the Dons cannot break the Old Firm stranglehold if they can get their act together.

He added: “Some people are saying Scottish football is in crisis but I do not see it that way. There is a big opportunity for other so-called lesser teams to do better.

“You have to look at the positives and take what you can out of it.

“Everyone can beat everyone in this league, so if we can take our chances we could really kick on.

“I think the Old Firm are catchable. Hibs have shown that this season already.

“It is up to us to take advantage but the key point is finding consistency and getting a few wins under our belt.

“There is a lot more to come from us.”

Although the 27-year-old only joined the Dons in the summer, he has already assumed a senior role in the squad.

He may be nicknamed The Beast but he insisted he has a softer side when it comes to providing support for Aberdeen’s crop of promising youngsters.

He said: “It is always important to help young players.

“It was always something I looked to when I was a youngster and it is something I try to do.

“If they make a mistake, it is your responsibility not to get on their backs and shout at them.

“You help talk them through it and that helps them take the positives.”