I don’t care if you’re Messi or Ronaldo, I’m not scared of anyone!

FEARLESS Beni Baningime has grown into a man at Hearts - now he wants to prove it against the Bhoys today.

- BY FRASER WILSON

The midfielder knows the biggest test in Scottish football lies ahead in this afternoon's top-of-the-table blockbuster against Celtic.

But Baningime insists four up and down years in Gorgie have been a lesson in courage and resilience to the point he'd now take on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo without fear.

As it is, he'll likely go toe-to-toe with a more familiar duo in Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate as high-flying Hearts look to extend their league lead over the champions.

And Baningime said: “They're great players, theres a reason why they play for Celtic.

“For us, it’s that challenge of playing against the best players in the league.

“I'm not shy, I'm not scared of anybody.

“I don't care if you're Messi. I don't care if you're Ronaldo. I don't believe you should ever be scared.

“I'm a man, I play men - you should always give your best, no matter what.

“To play against the level of talent that they have, and the ability that they have, of course it makes you a bit resilient because you understand the type of football team that youre playing against

“I would say that this is probably the best version of me, in terms of mentality.

“What you learn at Hearts is to be strong mentally, to be able to block out the noise.