Rankin: Call Hibs the Old Firm assassins

May 11 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

CONFIDENT John Rankin reckons Hibs are one of the few teams who genuinely believe they can win at Celtic Park.

The Hibees are the only SPL side to have beaten both Rangers and Celtic this season.

Mixu Paatelainen's men have taken four points off each of them and Rankin is sure they can put a major dent in the Hoops' title charge today and enhance their own UEFA Cup hopes.

He said: "When you go to Parkhead and Ibrox you should get a lift. I get a confidence boost playing in a big full stadium.

"The fact we've already beaten both sides of the Old Firm makes us believe we can take points off Celtic again.

"But if you have struggled against the pair you don't have that belief."

Rankin has no worries about playing in front of a huge crowd - insisting his early days under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford helped prepare him for the big stage.

He said: "I relish going to Celtic Park because of the upbringing I had at Manchester United.

"At a club like that you're taught to deal with pressure. I don't feel nervous - I get a buzz in the build-up to games like this."

Former Inverness star Rankin was one of Paatelainen's first signings in January. At that point the Hibees were ninth in the SPL so the 24-year-old reckons his manager deserves great credit.

Rankin said: "The gaffer has been brilliant. He has changed our system and personnel.

"John Collins' side played nice football but there wasn't much of an end product. Now we're more aggressive - just like the boss was as a player."

Rankin knows Hibs could have a major say in the destination of the SPL title if they win today.

But he said: "Our only aim is to get a point at least and keep ourselves in the race for Europe."

Hibs striker Steven Fletcher is desperate to wrap up third spot after watching with envy as Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen took on Europe's best this term.

He said: "I haven't had much experience in Europe. I came on against Dnipro in 2005 and had a 'goal' wrongly chalked off.

"I also played against Odense in 2006 but that's about it.

"Europe would be great - just look at Aberdeen this season.

They went on a terrific run and played good teams. We want to savour things like that."