Rangers are piling on the pressure now and 17-year-old on-loan Celtic defender Leo Hjelde has to make a last-gasp intervention on his debut to prevent a James Tavernier cross reaching a clutch of team-mates in front of goal.

Aberdeen are in the mood this afternoon and Ryan Hedges is in scintillating form so far at Pittodrie.

First the Welsh international passes into the box but it goes through the legs of Sam Cosgrove.

But the Dons recycle possession and keep the pressure up, and Hedges rifles a shot from the edge of the area that skims the post.

Rangers so close again to a second - and it's almost a quickfire double from Ryan Kent.

The ball is laid back to the winger on the edge of the box and his low drive rebounds off the post and off the back of goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw before being cleared.

Ryan Hedges flashes a shot just past the far post after good link-up play from the hosts. Aberdeen are pushing for the opener but it remains goalless at Pittodrie.

James Tavernier has made a name for himself with his set-piece expertise.

However, moments after sending a 25-yard free-kick a couple of feet over from 25 yards, the Rangers captain has a rather weak spot kick saved by goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Jonny Hayes lifts a lovely ball across to Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove, who is aiming to fire home his fourth goal of the season, but he heads downwards rather than towards goal.

Despite a fairly defensive line-up, County are adopting a high press that is proving difficult for Rangers to break out of their own half.

An adventurous and determined start by the visitors.

Aberdeen are taking the game to Motherwell early on; they look fired up after their heavy defeat by Ross County last weekend.

By this point they were already 1-0 down in that game. But so far today both Ryan Hedges and Scott Wright appear in the mood...

Here we go! Goals please, and plenty of them...

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Radio Scotland

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland he can handle the criticism that has come his way, following last weekend's 4-1 defeat by Ross County.

"It was a poor performance from everyone connected with the club," he said. "Today, we've got a chance to go third. It's a reminder to people we're not a bad team, I believe in this side, and today's an opportunity to show that.

Image source, SNS

"I do feel we have had a team that's been up there consistently. I fully believe we'd have finished third had last season not been curtailed.

"When we finished fourth behind Kilmarnock it was on goal difference. I do feel though we're on track to finish third again and we'll push to do better than that."

An old face returns at Pittodrie today. Former BBC Sportscene presenter Dougie Donnelly is back in front of the camera this afternoon, hosting Aberdeen's Red TV.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander tells BBC Scotland why he has brought Harry Smith on loan from Northampton Town.

"I think he'll give us attributes that we don't have in other forwards. He's a great physical presence but he can move and hold the ball up. He's only had one day training with us so it's too early to put him in the start line-up."

Image source, SNS

Alexander sticks with the same starting XI that drew 1-1 with Rangers.

He said: "I believe in rewarding good performances with keeping the shirt. We've had two positive results I would say, unlucky not to win both of the games.

"You look at the quality of their [Aberdeen's] squad, very experienced, good manager as well. But we've got to have confidence in what we can produce."