MARK WARBURTON is relishing the resumption of Rangers’ rivalry with Aberdeen next season after the Light Blues were on the end of double jibes from the Dons this week.

Defender Andrew Considine claimed Derek McInnes’ side would put the Gers ‘in their place’ when they return to the Premiership next term.

And Shay Logan then insisted the champions would ‘get a shock’ at the standard of the top flight when they make the step up from the second tier.

Warburton worked with the Dons’ right-back at Brentford and will look to lead his side towards the summit of the standings next season as the Ibrox crowd set their sights on a Premiership title challenge.

He said: “I know Shay really well. Tell Shay I am not surprised he said that.

“I know him well, but there will be no lack of awareness at the higher level. Maybe it works both ways.

“Maybe he will be shocked at how good we are next season. It can go both ways.

“But Shay is a talented boy who has done really well at Aberdeen.

“I’m delighted he has signed a new contract under the stewardship of Derek McInnes.

“That will be one of many tough tests we have next year. But we look forward to those games.

“Absolutely. You have to be excited by that (games against Aberdeen).

“They are tough places to go and all I hear from people is – and I was sure they were being paranoid is – ‘they hate us and they hate us and by the way they hate us as well.’ Who doesn’t hate us?!

“But there are great places like Aberdeen to go, we know they are tough opponents who battle hard and have European experience and are really well managed by Derek McInnes.

“Robbie Neilson at Hearts as well. All these are really tough places to go next year and I enjoy those games.

“They are not going to be easy, far from it. But if we prepare well, train well and recruit well this summer we will be in good shape and will hopefully go and deliver good performances.”