Source: Team_Talk
Rankin relishing fight for third
Hibs travel to Tannadice looking to maintain the top-three spot they have held for much of the season.[LNB]Defeat would see them overtaken by their opponents, with many already seeing the battle to finish best of the rest behind the Old Firm as a two-way fight.[LNB]But Hibs midfielder Rankin insists Hearts, who are nine points adrift of their arch-rivals, and Aberdeen, who are a further three points back, are still in the hunt.[LNB]"I think Aberdeen and Hearts are going to hit a run," said the 26-year-old.[LNB]"Dundee United have obviously put a run together, as have ourselves.[LNB]"I don't think it's just a two-horse race; I think there are four teams challenging for it.[LNB]"We're sitting in third at the moment and we're looking to maintain that position."[LNB]Rankin is confident Hibs have enough to keep their rivals at bay in the SPL run-in.[LNB]"If we can play to our ability until the end of the season, we'll win 90% of games anyway," he said.[LNB]"But we know it's not as easy as that.[LNB]"All the fixtures are piling up and this is when injuries and suspensions kick in.[LNB]"If we can come out of the next few months and still be in third spot, we'll be delighted."[LNB]Hibs have stuttered in the SPL in recent weeks, losing 4-1 to Rangers and drawing the Edinburgh derby.[LNB]The blip has coincided with the big freeze, which has meant the club had been unable to train outside for almost a month until they pitched up at Easter Road yesterday.[LNB]"We're not going to make that an excuse," Rankin said.[LNB]"We've had two not great results.[LNB]"But it's had an effect on everybody.[LNB]"We've been lucky enough to have an indoor area of our own."[LNB]Yet, Rankin reckons the uneven pitches at this time of year are not conducive to Hibs' style of play.[LNB]"We do suffer; we are a footballing team, there's no hiding from that," he said.[LNB]"But over 38 games, it's not all about playing football, it's about finding the battling edge as well."[LNB]That is exactly what Saturday's opponents have managed to do in the last two games after briefly nose-diving following Craig Levein's departure for the Scotland job last month.[LNB]Rankin said: "When they lost Craig Levein, at the start they struggled to be honest.[LNB]"They had a few dodgy results but I think they've got back on track since then.[LNB]"It's going to be difficult going to Tannadice.[LNB]"They've not got a manager and they're trying to impress.[LNB]"They're only two points behind and they can see that third place."[LNB]Rankin will be hoping to break a goal drought that dates back nine months, with competition in the Hibs midfield having increased since the summer arrivals of Liam Miller, Kevin McBride and Patrick Cregg.[LNB]"Personally, I feel I could add more goals - I could score a goal!" he said.[LNB]"There's only really two midfield positions available and we're battling it out.[LNB]"You've got to be on top of your game to keep your position in the team."[LNB][LNB] Dundee Utd 11/8, Hibernian 15/8, Draw 12/5
