Joe Lewis reckons Aberdeen have earned respect from their performances against the Old Firm this season.
The Dons have been criticised in recent years for their record in Glasgow but the last year has seen them address that, with victories over Rangers at Ibrox and Hampden Park as well as winning at Celtic Park.
A repeat is required tonight for a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, which would make it the third season in a row Aberdeen have made it to the last four of the competition.
Lewis kept clean sheets in both of those wins over Rangers and sees no reason why they should have any fear going into tonight’s tie.
He said: “We consider ourselves as a big club, a good club and that’s how it should be. We don’t consider ourselves to be inferior to the big two Glasgow teams.
“I don’t know what Rangers’ thoughts are about us but we will carry ourselves with that bit of confidence and have that swagger when we get out at Ibrox which lets teams know they are in for a game.
“Our recent results and performances against the Old Firm have earned that respect and I’m sure Rangers are aware of that. They are a good team and I’m sure they’ll go into the game with confidence themselves.
“We felt we were the better side in the first tie at Pittodrie and if anyone should have won the game then it should have been us. We will carry that same confidence going into this game.
“In my first couple of seasons, certainly against Celtic there was block, whether that was mentally or whether they were just too strong for us on each occasion. It was about eight or nine games that we lost on the bounce to them.
“We have also won twice at Ibrox during my time here and also beaten Rangers in a semi-final at Hampden so we have huge belief within the squad when we come down to Glasgow.
“We know we have good ability in the team and I don’t believe any Aberdeen team should fear any side or any place in the future.”
Lewis said manager Derek McInnes deserves huge credit for his role in re-establishing Aberdeen as one of the top teams in Scotland again.
He added: “I think what the manager’s done at this club, from where it was to where it is now, is massive. For me he’s a fantastic manager and we’re very lucky to have him.
“He’s certainly done a lot for my career and I’m grateful for that. He’s done a fantastic job, bringing Aberdeen back to where it should be.
“Hopefully, we can go even further with him as manager.”