David Robertson on the difficulty of moving from Aberdeen to Rangers

David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson believes it's much easier for players these days to make the move from Aberdeen to Rangers.
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The left-back, who starred for both clubs, found himself public enemy No.1 with Dons fans after signing for the Ibrox club in 1991 for a fee close to £1million.

Ryan Jack became the latest player to make the controversial switch this past summer when he joined Pedro Caixinha’s side on a free transfer.

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David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS

The midfielder was booed by Aberdeen supporters during a recent Scotland international at Pittodrie, though Robertson believes it’s was more difficult to deal with in his time.

He told the Times: “It’s a tough move. I think closer to the [Graeme] Souness era, it was tougher to deal with.

“But many players have gone. Ryan Jack has gone there and I think it’s been relatively smooth.

David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNSDavid Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS
David Robertson moved from Aberdeen to Rangers in 1991. Picture: SNS

“Stephen Wright was after me, and Theo Snelders. There’s been a few, so I don’t think the hassle is what it used to be.”

Robertson even recalls being physically assaulted by a fan after he returned to Pittodrie for the first time with Walter Smith’s side

He added: “It wasn’t difficult going back to Pittodrie. I didn’t know what to expect – I thought I’d get a little bit of a cheer, but obviously I didn’t. They gave me a hard time and shouted things.

“Even in the south stand, a few things were thrown at me and I actually got a call from the police after the game asking if I wanted to press charges on a guy who punched me in the back when I was taking a throw in.

“But, to be honest, that sort of stuff spurred me on more than anything. It probably made me play better. It maybe worked against them.”