Rangers manager Michael Beale has backtracked over comments calling Celtic "the other team".

The Ibrox boss didn't refer to the champions by name ahead of his first game in charge of the club against Hibs but now the Englishman has played down his statement.

Beale insists he meant no disrespect and spoke in the spur of the moment rather than deliberately.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of his team's match against Aberdeen, Beale said: "I’m new back into the country, I didn’t get where I am by being disrespectful.

"That bit the other day, I don’t like that because it’s not what I am.”

While Rangers need to make the trip to Pittodrie on Tuesday, Celtic have already been there and secured a victory.

The Bhoys defeated Aberdeen 1-0 thanks to a late Callum McGregor strike. It is a result which means they retain their nine-point lead at the top league table.

Ange Postecoglou's men had to break down the Dons' defensive tactics, which have been roundly criticised by supporters and those in the media, including ex-Celt Kris Commons.

The pundit insists there will be "uproar" in the Pittodrie stands if a repeat is on show from Jim Goodwin's side.

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Commons says the Dons can't let Beale's side "have the run of the place".

While Aberdeen defended well to a point, they were totally dominated throughout by Celtic, as McGregor eventually struck on 87 minutes to seal the win for Postecoglou's men.

The Dons barely laid a glove on the champions all afternoon, registering only two shots the entire game compared to the visitors' 33.

And Commons states that a big reaction will be required from Goodwin's men on Tuesday evening against Rangers, insisting there's no way they will get away with the same approach.

He wrote in the Daily Mail: “Given the intense rivalry that exists between Aberdeen and Rangers, there's no way supporters will accept such a negative approach from the Dons. There would be uproar in the stands at Pittodrie if Goodwin's side just sit back and let Rangers have the run of the place for 90 minutes.

“That's pretty much what happened against Celtic at the weekend. It might have taken 87 minutes for Callum McGregor to finally break the deadlock, but Aberdeen were beaten before a ball was kicked.