Michael Beale's claim this weekend that Aberdeen were the 'third-best team in Scotland' has been branded a 'crock of s***'
The Rangers boss hailed Jim Goodwin's men prior to Sunday's Viaplay Cup semi-final, saying the Dons made up the trio of the best teams in the country alongside the Light Blues and rivals Celtic. This statement did not sit well with Hearts fans, who have watched their team finish third last season by some distance and reach a Scottish Cup final in the process.
Robbie Neilson's men take on the Dons on Wednesday at Tynecastle and former Jambo Ryan Stevenson believes those comments will add extra spice to the game and will hand Hearts' stars more motivation if they needed any to prove a point.
READ MORE: Garang Kuol reveals Eddie Howe six-word message ahead of Hearts loan transfer from Newcastle United
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
He said in his Record Sport column: "I like Michael Beale. Mainly because the Rangers boss speaks a lot of sense, normally. But at the weekend I’m afraid it was utter NONSENSE spilling out his mouth when he claimed Aberdeen were 'the third best team in the country at the moment'.
"That’s the biggest crock of s*** I’ve heard all season. And there’s been quite of a lot of it flung around to be fair! Sorry but Beale is absolutely taking the Michael with that comment. It’s outrageous. Hearts finished third by a country mile last season and are currently back there - six points clear of the Dons - ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the sides at Tynecastle.
"Which, by the way, has now just got that bit more tasty. Beale’s blooper might have been an innocent mistake and barely registered with Rangers fans. But believe me it won’t have been missed in Gorgie. In fact the Gers gaffer might just have done Robbie Neilson a wee favour with his inadvertent slip of the tongue in what is a huge week for the Jam Tarts."
READ NEXT:
- We 'signed' Garang Kuol for Hearts in January and Robbie Neilson's side reached Scottish Cup Final
- Hearts new boy James Hill reveals secret weapon as he details key attributes after loan transfer
