Derek McInnes says Pedro Caixinha should stop talking about Aberdeen and worry about Rangers' failure to finish second this season.
McInnes takes his side to Ibrox on Wednesday night with the Scottish Premiership runners-up spot as good as secure given their six-point and 20-goal lead over Rangers.
And the Dons boss, a former Gers midfielder, says his old club should be "embarrassed" at missing out on second - never mind mounting a challenge to rivals Celtic.
Caixinha said this week Aberdeen face a "slide" unless they improve their squad and also made public his interest in Dons midfielder Ryan Jack.
And McInnes hit back: "I think it is strange that he feels the need to talk about Aberdeen so much.
"The job of Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic and he should be more concerned about that challenge. Any team that finishes above Rangers in the league, with the budget they have, is doing their work well.
"They should probably be embarrassed that they have not finished second and I am confident that any Premiership manager, with the budget that Rangers have, would finish second in the league.
"He likes to do a lot of talking. I think the Rangers fans over the last few years have been used to whether it is owners, managers, players saying what they want to hear but the reality is, his job as Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic.
"If he thinks he is doing well by finishing above Aberdeen and the rest then he will soon find out that is not enough."
On the subject of Jack being discussed by Caixinha, McInnes said: "I think there is an unwritten rule within managers. There's always respect and he shouldn't be talking about any of my players in the manner in which he did.
"But each to their own. I firmly believe at this stage of the season, when a lot of rumours go flying about, I think it's important you don't comment on other team's players. But like I say, each to their own."