Comments made by Michael Beale about Aberdeen being the third force in Scotland are proving correct despite grumbles from now managerless Hearts earlier in the season.
The Rangers boss courted some controversy back in January when he claimed that Aberdeen were Scottish football’s third force behind Rangers and Celtic.
That was despite Hearts managing a third place finish the season before and taking the nation’s flag into an albeit doomed Europa Conference League campaign.
Ahead of the Viaplay Cup semi-final, Michael Beale said:
“We know that on their day, Aberdeen are a very, very good team.
“They are the third best team in the country at the moment.
“We are the second so it is a really great semi-final for the neutral.
“There was lots of drama at Pittodrie but each game is different. We need to bring the best version of ourselves.
“Neither team have anything to lose and it’s important the Rangers fans and team go home happy that we’re in a final.”
Aberdeen proving Michael Beale right amid Hearts drama
As Rangers went on to win the game, the comments riled the likes of ex-Jambos manager Ryan Stevenson who responded in an explosive Daily Record column.
But the Rangers manager must be smarting a little as things stand with Hearts sacking manager Robbie Neilson amid an abysmal run of form and Aberdeen now overtaking them in the Premiership.
As Hibs were beating Hearts 1-0 in the Jambos’ sixth straight defeat, Aberdeen were beating Ross County to overleap them in the table and put some more respect on Michael Beale.
The Rangers manager certainly knows his stuff and whilst plenty would’ve scoffed given the dire situation Aberdeen were in pre-Jim Goodwin, they probably aren’t now.
Hearts find themselves in a real mess at the minute and after such a successful season last year they look to have lost their grip on 3rd place in Scotland.
