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The headlines have screamed chaos in the aftermath of Rangers hosting Hibs. But it was much ado about nothing to Colin Cameron.

Police enquiries into the conduct of Neil Lennon, fan statements of outrage, Ibrox new boy Ryan Jack sent off amid claims Easter Road striker Anthony Stokes was the aggressor – all manner of drama.

But former Hearts midfielder Cameron insists it was nothing compared to his trip to Govan in 1996 when the Jambos had four players red carded and were left contemplating a bid to get the game abandoned.

Hearts return to the scene of the crime this Saturday and the 44-year-old recalled a 3-0 defeat on a September afternoon which referee Gerry Evans ensured had anarchy written all over it.

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Cameron said: “Saturday’s game at Ibrox is being presented as some kind of mental, shame game but in reality it was anything but.

“I went there with Hearts when we ended up with seven men. That was the maddest game I ever played in terms of players being sent off.

“I played in the infamous game when Duncan Ferguson was jailed for a head-butt on Jock McStay at Ibrox and I was involved in a pre-season friendly for Raith Rovers against Hearts when Craig Levein punched team-mate Graeme Hogg and broke his nose.

“So there have been a few mad games but in terms of chaos, playing with seven men against a quality Rangers side at Ibrox is right up there.

“I remember it as “the farce’. We had four players sent off and ended up with Stevie Fulton at centre-half as we went with a 3-3-0 formation.

“I still can’t believe it ended 3-0 to Rangers but, to be fair to them, they decided to turn it into a training exercise.

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“They went easy on us as the game was over and they obviously felt the referee had spoiled it. They showed a bit of professional respect and it was appreciated as they didn’t try to give us a right boot in the b***s.

“I recall it was anything but a dirty game. I would have accepted it had it been a game where we were booting opponents left, right and centre but it was nothing like that.”

The 28-times capped Scotland midfielder also skippered the Jambos during his five years at the club and admits events of 21 years ago are fresh in his memory.

Hearts chairman Chris Robinson charged down to the trackside in a bid to convince boss Jim Jefferies to order his players off the pitch in protest against the officials.

And Cameron said: “Davie Weir was sent off, which says everything about the referee’s display that day. Big Davie would never have tried to intentionally hurt anyone.

“Neil Pointon was sent off for a second booking when he kicked the post. It was the first time I’d seen someone sent off for a foul on a post to be fair.

“We had just conceded a goal and he kicked it in frustration and was given another yellow. It was incredible.

“I heard the referee called it a day that summer and I’m not surprised after his performance that day.

“Pasquale Bruno, Paul Ritchie, big Davie and Neil were all dismissed and that was our entire back four.

“I remember standing in the middle of Ibrox and just praying the referee would blow the full-time whistle.

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“It was horrible to play in as we’d gone into the match believing we could get a result and until the sending-offs it was fairly even.

“There’s a rule that if you have five players sent off in a game it gets abandoned. I’m sure that was mentioned during that game.

“If one more us had been dismissed that would have been it but the problem was we were all too knackered to get near an opponent to kick them.

“We had practised in training playing with a few players down just in case that scenario happened.

"But we could never have foreseen doing it would four players down against a side as good as Rangers at Ibrox.”

Cameron’s Tynecastle status is secure with a Scottish Cup Final goal in a win over Rangers and is a regular at games but he believes this weekend’s contest is too close to call.

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However, he insists the Jambos must recall frozen-out star Jamie Walker if they want to win – despite the winger being linked with Gers.

Cameron said: “I watched Hearts a few weeks ago and they looked okay. I thought they were in good shape going into the season.

“Last weekend’s win at Kilmarnock will have galvanised them after a disappointing few weeks but it’s a difficult game to assess on Saturday.

“Everything is still a bit new with regard to both squads setting down. I was pleased to see caretaker boss Jon Daly adopt a 4-4-2 formation against Killie.

“It may be old fashioned but everyone knows their job. It’s perfect for a place like Ibrox as it allows the wide players to get on the ball.

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“Hearts should have a go, play with width and get crosses into the box as Kyle Lafferty will score goals.

“Jamie Walker has to start. He’s a cut above the rest of players in the squad and I believe he needs to play at a higher level.

“He needs to push on and to get himself to a stage where he’s spoken about for the national side he needs to move on, whether that’s down south or to the Old Firm.

“I’ve heard the arguments against him playing but he’s their best player and someone capable of doing something special when he has the ball.”