Rangers boss Michael Beale got Hearts fans in an uproar when he claimed Aberdeen are "the third best team in the country at the moment" - despite the Jambos being clear in third in the Premiership.
Beale's team take on the Pittodrie side in the Viaplay Cup semi-final with Jim Goodwin's team going in off the back of one win in six games. They sit fifth in the Premiership table, six points behind Hearts, who have strengthened their grip in third with their recent form and don't show any signs of giving it up. But Beale, speaking ahead of the Hampden clash, dropped a perceived clanger when he claimed their opponents are the best outside Rangers and Celtic.
He said on Viaplay: "We know that on their day, Aberdeen are a very good team. They are the third best team in the country at the moment and 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 will 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 we're in a final."
It's no doubt set to raise eyebrows in Edinburgh with Robbie Neilson's team clear in third place. And that gap could widen come next weekend.
The Jambos host the Dons at Tynecastle on Wednesday night and victory will see them open up a nine point gap over Jim Goodwin's side. Neilson's men were best of the rest by a distance last season, and are looking to finish there for a second season in succession foe the first time since Craig Levein's initial stint in charge almost 20 years ago.
And they'll be keen to show Beale the error of his ways in just over two weeks time. Rangers travel to Tynecastle for a midweek Premiership clash on Wednesday 1 February.
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