Rangers boss Graeme Murty believes Derek McInnes can expect a tasty reception when he visits Ibrox for the first time since knocking back the Light Blues job.

But the man who was asked to pick up the pieces in the wake of the Aberdeen manager's rejection insists his side will ignore the background noise and remain focused on making it a hat-trick of wins against the Dons on Wednesday night.

McInnes was the man the Gers board wanted to replace Pedro Caixinha.

But he left Scottish football stunned when last month he decided against returning to the club he served during a five-year stint as player.

That decision handed Murty his chance and, having racked up back-to-back victories over the Pittodrie men during his period as caretaker boss, he is now looking to continue that winning run.

He said: "I don't think any Rangers-Aberdeen game needs any extra edge. There always seems to be something going on.

"Derek made his position perfectly clear. We respect his position. He is staying at a good football club, with a good squad that he is putting together really well.

"We have to respect them and respect what they are about but focus on what we're great at and hopefully take the positive energy from doing well against them twice into this game.

"The atmosphere will be tasty but they always are in these games."