Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has praised his players for their stability in recent games after overcoming "challenging times" domestically.
The fourth-placed Dons head in to Sunday's visit of Rangers in fine form, having lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
Thelin's side have really got things moving in the right direction again after a protracted run of disappointing results prior to their recent upturn in fortunes.
"I think it is hard work behind it," the boss said.
"We have got through some challenging times and some players are coming back from injury, some players have been recruited, some players have grown since the beginning so I think the squad is getting better and we can manage sometimes better when we have someone missing out.
"We are a more stable team, a stable squad, that is important for us long term to not be so up and down during a season so I am happy for the progress.
"The players have shown that they grow during the season and challenge each other better and compete better so that is really good."
Rangers travel north for a fixture which is sandwiched between the two legs of their Europa League quarter-final with Athletic Bilbao.
But Thelin isn't buying into the argument they could be getting the Ibrox side at just the right time.
"I don't think so," he added when asked if the Dons can take advantage of Rangers' European games.
"I think they are focussed on taking it game by game also and we know Aberdeen against Rangers is important for everyone so I think they will be ready for the game.
"They have a good squad so they are going to have good players on the pitch whoever plays and also will we so I think it is going to be really intense, energetic game so I think it is going to be a good game on Sunday."
