ZANDER Diamond has never hidden the fact that his off-field allegiances lie with the green-and-white half of the Old Firm.
And the defender will be going all out for a crucial win against Rangers tonight – albeit for Aberdeen, not Celtic.
The Old Firm rivals head into the final fixtures of the season both locked on 86 points at the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premie
r League.
But Celtic's superior goal difference means Rangers will be looking for the win at Aberdeen while desperately hoping Celtic slip up against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Diamond confesses that denying Rangers the title would make his nearest and dearest happy.
He said: "I think you go out first and foremost to do your job for Aberdeen, regardless of the team you've been brought up supporting.
"It's well documented I've got lots of family and friends who are Celtic supporters.
"There's no doubt I'll receive text messages from them before the game wishing me well, but as a professional it's all about doing the job for your own club.
"If that means denying Rangers the league then it'll make all of those people happy. One thing's for sure, you don't want your professionalism questioned."
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood was at the helm when Rangers thrashed his old club Dunfermline to pip Celtic to the title on goal difference back in 2003.
"The players are all up for it as are the management staff, and I can assure everyone that there's no chance we are going to lie down," added Diamond.
"If you ask any Rangers player over the years they'll tell you they don't like coming to Pittodrie."
Celtic head into the final night four goals better off and Ibrox striker Jean-Claude Darcheville claimed after Monday's 3-0 win over St Mirren that Rangers were capable of scoring up to six goals at Pittodrie if it looks like going down to goal difference on the night.
"I can't remember the last time they've won by lots of goals at this ground," said Diamond.
"For a player to state that they could win by five or six goals is a bit disrespectful. I know they need to come and attack, but firstly they need to win the game.
"We'll be making it as difficult as possible for them to score one, never mind six. There's always a needle in these games and it's a great atmosphere to play in as the crowd are continually behind you.
"Knowing that the championship is at stake for Rangers, the Aberdeen supporters will demand nothing other than a win."
Rangers looked set for a goal-fest against Saints when Kris Boyd opened the scoring in only the fourth minute – but they had to be content with adding only a Darcheville double to the tally while a clean-sheet was successfully kept at the opposite end.
Diamond is determined to avoid a similar fate, knowing a quick goal would provide Rangers with the kind of boost that could see Darcheville's prediction coming good.
"We must make sure we don't allow them to get an early goal as they did at St Mirren on Monday," said the Dons centre-half.
"We'll go out and play our own game, not worrying about what's happening at Tannadice.
"If we manage to stop Rangers winning the league then so be it – our main concern is obviously for Aberdeen."
The full article contains 578 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
