FEW observers of Scottish football would disagree that Michael Hart, Aberdeen's cultivated right-back, has been a revelation this season.
His consistently good performances have been a major component in the turnaround in Aberdeen's fortunes as they find themselves in the position of pushing Rangers for the Premierleague's No.2 place and Champions League football next term.
Hart may be one of the quiet men of Pittodrie, at least off the field, but yesterday he revealed his inner thoughts on today's game and why his side will not have a better chance of victory.
"I don't fear Rangers, because we have better players in key positions," said Hart. "I would rather have Jamie Smith than one of their wingers. I would also rather have Craig Brewster, in the form he has shown since coming back from injury, than any striker they could field. And I would rather have Russell Anderson than their centre-backs.
"When you look at it like that, there aren't many in the Rangers side I would rather have."
No mincing of words, then, from Hart, though he did add the caveat that he held Rangers and their players in the highest regard and that they would be boosted by the return of their captain, Barry Ferguson.
"But," he stated, "if we don't feel confident after the way we have fought to get results this season, then we never will. Not having won down there for a long time doesn't worry me. If anything, it puts extra pressure on Rangers."
Aberdeen need to win to cut Rangers' lead over them to one point. If they lose, then Hearts could narrow the gap for the fight for third place and UEFA Cup football next season.
The odds are that Jimmy Calderwood, the Aberdeen manager, will resist the temptation to be cautious and, instead, will set his sights on leaving Govan with three points.
"Defensively, we know what we can do," he said, "but we have to get our football players on the ball and you have to commit men going forward to win games. We will not go there with fear and be in awe of them. We want to enjoy the occasion and normally when you enjoy the occasion you play well."
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