MARK HATELEY hopes Rangers can prove their Premiership credentials with victory over Aberdeen on Sunday.

Mark Warburton’s side make the trip to Pittodrie having picked up just nine points from their opening six top flight outings.

It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for the Light Blues and the pressure has mounted on Warburton and his players in the aftermath of poor results against Hamilton, Kilmarnock, Celtic and Ross County.

And former Ibrox star Hateley knows the Gers must rise to the occasion as they gear up for an eagerly anticipated showdown with the Dons.

He said: “They’re going to be competitive for this league and I think that’s the important thing. Whether they’re championship contenders, time will tell.

“Mark had to bring in a lot of players over the summer. They’ve upgraded from last year, which makes us competitive.

“You have to get the confidence and continuity, once they’ve settled in and get big results. The big results come against the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts and Celtic.

“The confidence and consistency comes from there. If you’ve got that then you’ll be there or thereabouts. That’s all we’re looking for at the moment – to be combative, competitive and consistent.

“Rangers will also be scrutinised in every game, just like Celtic. Aberdeen will be there or thereabouts again.

“Derek has done well since coming back up from England and put together a group of players who will be competitive again.

“They needed that consistency which let them down a bit last year. They’re still working on that. Rangers are back for the first time, adapting to that level of football.

“Aberdeen have that experience so it’s a hard one to call. Mark’s brought in a lot of players so he’ll still be deciding on his best eleven and how to get the best out of them. It’s still a job that’s ongoing for Rangers.”

After crashing to a 5-1 Old Firm defeat earlier this month, Rangers have a point to prove at Pittodrie as they bid to get their top flight title bid back on track.

The Dons have finished second in successive seasons in the Premiership as they emerged as Celtic’s closest challengers.

And Hateley knows Warburton’s side have to lay down a marker of their own intentions this term by proving they can win at the home of their rivals this weekend.

He said: “Back then it was Aberdeen who were our biggest challengers and you had to perform against them. The bigger the challenge then the easier it is to perform.

“It’s the lesser games which catch you out. You don’t need any motivation for the nearest challengers.

“If you’re going to push for the title, these are the sort of teams you have to beat to have any chance of being there or thereabout.

“Hearts proved last season they could maintain a challenge, even if they fell away a bit towards the end.

“Aberdeen, again, showed last week against Dundee – despite not playing too well, yet scoring three goals – that they’ll be there or thereabouts. Your nearest opponents, that’s where you need to get your results.”