HIBERNIAN 1

ABERDEEN 2

NOW is the time for Hibernian and Aberdeen to hold their friends close and their enemies even closer. With one Bank of Scotland Premierleague game left, the Easter Road side are looking to Hearts to get a result against Aberdeen while the Pittodrie outfit are hoping Rangers score a barrowload of goals against Hibs.

A six-goal swing on the final day of the season is required for Jimmy Calderwood's side to pip Tony Mowbray's men for third and that isn't beyond the realms of possibility.

Next Sunday's showdowns will decide whether the Northern lights are shining or the sunshine will be on Leith. Zander Diamond, the Aberdeen defender, grinned non-stop as he batted away questions on whether he would be cheering on Rangers in their final game against Hibs at Easter Road.

"Hopefully Dado Prso plays as well against Hibs as he did against us and we beat Hearts at Pittodrie on the same day, " said the self-confessed Celtic fan, before departing swiftly.

At least Diamond had the decency to turn up after the game. The under-pressure Hibs players refused to speak to the daily newspapers after they had blown their chance of securing third spot and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

As things stand, Hibs are three points ahead of Aberdeen with a superior goal difference of five and they have also scored more goals than the Pittodrie outfit. A point at home against Rangers will guarantee Mowbray's team third spot and that European place. If they lose and Aberdeen beat Hearts then it comes down to goal difference.

A 3-0 win for Rangers over Hibs and a 3-0 win for Aberdeen over Hearts or any combination which results in a six-goal swing would give Calderwood's side third spot.

Although they are in the driving seat the pressure is on Hibs. Once again when the chips were down Mowbray's outfit failed to deliver.

Although firm favourites in the Scottish Cup semi-final they froze on the big day against Dundee United and let down the 20,000 supporters who travelled from the capital to watch them.

It was the same story on Saturday. In front of a full-house they managed to look a pale shadow of the side which somehow managed to beat Celtic at Parkhead only a few weeks ago.

Aberdeen deserved to come away with all three points with Chris Clark and Scott Severin running the show in the middle of the park. Quite how Severin has been overlooked for the Scotland squad is hard to fathom and on this form Walter Smith will be tempted to take a closer look.

Darren Mackie's two goals were hardly things of beauty but the Aberdeen strikers showed more flair than the much-lauded Hibernian pair of Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan.

Riordan, despite his goal, looked a tired player and his first-half penalty miss could come back to haunt him if Hibs fail to clinch third spot. He had to come off with cramp with 20 minutes left. Surely such an ailment is inexcusable for a young, professional player?

Simon Brown in the Hibs goal still manages to create fear among his own defenders and he looked to be the weak link in the home defence. Only Scott Brown and Ian Murray emerged with pass marks for the hosts.

Aberdeen on the other hand had heroes all over the pitch.

They played slick, passing football while Hibs resorted to long balls up to Amadou Konte whose sheer bulk caused plenty of problems for the Aberdeen defence.

Calderwood, whose permatan has become much deeper as the season progressed, has done a great job at Pittodrie and could just yet secure a final day snatch and grab raid over Hibs.

"It will be interesting if Rangers score in the first minute against Hibs and we get a goal in the first minute against Hearts, " said Calderwood. "Maybe I'm dreaming again but you're allowed to dream."

Mowbray will be having nightmares between now and his side's match against Rangers.

"My message to my players will be to forget about the six-goal swing, " he said. "We've now got to make sure and get a win against Rangers.

"We hit the post, missed the penalty, had pinball in the box in the last few minutes and it could have been very different.

Now Aberdeen have got a chink of light."