'Aberdeen will start with a bang'

Rangers beat Aberdeen three times last season, although in the crucial game after the top six split, Aberdeen were the victorious side. 

And Shinnie has insisted his team will not be fazed by the x factor that Gerrard brings to the dugout. 

"Why not start with a bang? Pittodrie will be absolutely packed and the Rangers fans will come up in their numbers as usual," Shinnie said. 

"It will be another massive occasion at a club like this the big games come thick and fast. We have the big game against Burnley then even a bigger game against Rangers on Sunday. Its games like this the squad are always excited for.

"It certainly doesn't faze me [Gerrard being in the opposite dugout]. There are plenty of good managers up here already and they are not on the pitch.

"Once you get over that white line it is our team against theirs - you don't really focus on anything else.

"It shows their intent in what they want to do but we have got our own challenges to try and finish as high up as we can again."