Former Rangers defender David Bates is set to return to Ibrox on Wednesday night for the first time since being released by the club.
The towering 6ft 4″ centre-back initially signed for the Gers on loan from Raith Rovers before joining permanently in January 2017.
He made 28 appearances across all competitions but was released after the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2018.
After a frustrating three-year stint at Hamburg which included loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Cercle Brugge, Bates returned to Scottish football in August, signing a three-year deal with Aberdeen.
His time at Pittodrie didn’t start well at all, with the Dons losing each of the first five matches he was involved in.
However, he bagged a first win and clean sheet on Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 triumph over Hibernian and now he’s primed to return to Ibrox for the first time since his exit.
Amid an injury crisis, Bates is one of the only fit first-team defenders at manager Stephen Glass’ disposal, so he’ll need to perform if the visitors are to have any chance of picking up a result.
Aberdeen have had success in Glasgow in recent years but the two times these teams met at Ibrox last season, the Gers ran out 4-0 winners.
Bates won’t be the only ex-Rangers player with a point to prove in the opposition lineup, either.
