Source: Team_Talk
McGhee: Dons performance is key
Dons boss McGhee is looking to take the pressure off his side at Parkhead, with the build-up to the trip dominated by talk of back-to-back wins over the Old Firm.That was last achieved 30 years ago, when McGhee netted in a League Cup victory on the same ground.McGhee, who last weekend masterminded Rangers' first SPL defeat of the season, said: "I'm, in a sense, giving the players a licence to lose."As long they have a go and as long as they play to somewhat near their potential, whatever the result will be, we'll accept it."McGhee questioned the historic significance of back-to-back wins over the Old Firm, pointing out Aberdeen rarely played consecutive fixtures against Celtic and Rangers.He added: "Performance is the thing because you can go to Parkhead and play well and get beaten, so you can't worry too much about the result."It's always difficult there but if we go there and play well and they play better then there's nothing we can do about that."We can go up the road happy in that sense and go on to the next game."If we do play as well as I think we're capable of at this moment in time then I do think we have a chance of winning."McGhee will not accept his side being one of those teams who "rest on their laurels" after beating one of the Old Firm."I'm challenging our lot to say, 'Are you one of those teams, or are you a team that actually can put that result behind you and now focus on the next result and the next performance?"' he said."That will be a real measure of how much better we're getting."McGhee, whose side have taken seven points from their last three games, added: "I'm not going to change from my belief that we are in the infancy of something, trying to build something."Whether we beat Rangers last week or beat Celtic back-to-back this week doesn't change that."We've still got a long way to go."It would be great for everyone, for the supporters, the players, for myself, but the Hamilton game next week will be an equally hard game."McGhee knows Aberdeen may need a "more forgiving" referee at Parkhead than those who have dished out four "lightweight" red cards to his team in the last four matches.But he added: "If we had six men this week and we win, I'd rather win."I've not got big, big issues with the refereeing."McGhee revealed the Dons had made an approach for Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien - who is out of contract at the end of the season - but had yet to receive a response.He has also still to decide whether he wants to sign Paul Obiefule or Ruaidhri Higgins.Nigeria midfielder Obiefule has returned to Lyn Oslo in Norway after spending two days at Pittodrie for talks with McGhee.Northern Ireland Under-21 cap Higgins has spent the last two weeks on trial.McGhee said he would only be able to sign one of the players, adding he will meet Obiefule's agent - who is also his brother - next week for further talks.He said of Obiefule: "I wanted to meet him, I wanted to talk to him, try to sell him Aberdeen a little bit."But we've still got to make a decision if he's a player we actually want to sign." Celtic v Aberdeen. Click here to bet.