RANKIN IS OUT FOR REVENGE
JOHN RANKIN admits Hibs embarrassed Dundee United by bundling them out of the League Cup — but insists Mixu Paatelainen’s side are a different beast now.
Back in November, Alan Stubbs’ men ran riot at Easter Road as they chalked up a comprehensive 3-0 quarter-final win over their Premiership opponents before losing last month’s Final to Ross County.
It piled more misery on the Tayside club, who had not long appointed Paatelainen to succeed Jackie McNamara at the helm in their fight against relegation.
Now they have the chance to wreak some measure of revenge when they face their Edinburgh rivals in next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, with Rankin adamant United have become a much tougher nut to crack since their capital drubbing.
Rankin said: ‘It definitely is a different mindset now. From that night at Easter Road, there might only be something like two or three players who’re still here from the side which started that game.
‘Hibs were great that night. When they start the game well at Easter Road, the fans get behind them and that was certainly one of those nights when we were made to suffer. That was probably the biggest runaround I’ve had this season.’
Rankin is well aware of the pressure Hibs are under to try and end their welldocumented Scottish Cup hoodoo, which last saw the club lift the famous old trophy way back in 1902.
But the former Easter Road player doesn’t think their current crop of players will be unduly affected by that horrible statistic. He said: ‘I just think that, from the fans’ point of view, they would love to win the Scottish Cup.
‘I remember one pre-season being asked if this could be Hibs’ year to win the Scottish Cup. I thought to myself: “No pressure then!”
‘I don’t believe in hoodoos. I think the best team will win on the day. It’s about whatever team turns up, it’s nothing to do with hoodoos.
‘Hibs have a lot of good young players whom I admire. I don’t see it being in their heads. It won’t be a hindrance, more of an incentive to go one better in this competition.’
As well as trying to emulate their Scottish Cupwinning side of 2010, United are struggling to survive in the top flight, with just five league games remaining in what has been a strained campaign.
Rankin, 32, said: ‘Ultimately, the league is our bread and butter. I’m desperate to stay up. I don’t want relegation on my CV.
‘I’ve said that to the boys. Every one of us knows what it means for this club to be in the Premiership next season.
‘As a professional, I don’t think you can choose between one or the other.
‘You just have to go and give your all. If you are asking me which I’d prefer, I will just give it my all and see where it takes me.
‘I’d be happy to reach a final as well as stay in the Premiership.
‘All I want is to look in the dressing room at the end of the season and know that we gave everything.’