Aberdeen midfielder James Maddison believes this Thursday’s Betfred Cup quarter-final against St Johnstone is just as important as Sunday’s meeting with Rangers.
The on-loan Norwich City midfielder inspired the Dons to a 3-1 win against Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday, marking his first start with a goal.
Next up for Derek McInnes’ Reds are two huge matches with a chance to reach a cup semi-final on Thursday followed up by a first meeting of the season with rivals Rangers.
Maddison said: “We knew how big this week was going to be, three games in quick succession, coming to a tough place like Dundee to begin with.
“It’s never easy and now there’s the League Cup quarter-final on Thursday against St Johnstone, followed by Rangers on Sunday.
“You don’t need me to explain to you how big the Rangers game is, so it’s a huge week for everyone connected with the club.
“I’ve been told a lot about Rangers against Aberdeen games – so I better watch what I say.
“I’ve heard it’s a massive game. History speaks for itself. The lads are really up for that.
“I know the Rangers game is coming up but the focus firstly has got to be on Thursday’s game. That game is just as big, if not bigger.
“Any team will tell you that getting silverware is what it’s all about.
“That’s what you play football for, to get success. So a League Cup quarter-final is something to look forward to.”
The Dons had endured a stuttering start to the new Scottish Premiership season netting only four times in their first five games.
But Maddison believes the Dons can take plenty of confidence from hitting the back of the net on three occasions to come from behind and defeat Dundee.
He said: “We can use this result as a springboard.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for, that sort of win and scoring three goals.
“We looked a threat. Even though we went 1-0 down, we were always in control of the game.
“It might not have looked like that from the side but on the pitch it felt like that as we dominated and hopefully we can take this into Thursday.
“On a personal level, it was the best way possible to mark my first start, three points, a goal and a win for the travelling fans who came in their numbers.
“It was a really good day for the club.”
