Thursday 17 September 2015 16:20, UK
Billy Stark sees similarities between the current Aberdeen side and Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering team in the 1980s.
The cultured midfielder was part of the Aberdeen team that won the league title in 1984 and 1985 - their last championship success. Derek McInnes' side have recorded seven straight wins this season and sit five points clear of Celtic at the top ahead of their Sky Live game at Hearts this weekend.
The depth of the squad at Pittodrie - and the growing belief shared by the players and fans - leads Stark to believe they can sustain their title challenge until May.
Stark told Sky Sports News HQ: "You could argue it would a greater feat if Aberdeen were to win the title now compared to the 1980s.
"Whether it was a bigger feat you have to look at Alex Ferguson and what he did with the club so that was a big thing then and I think this would be as big in terms of breakthrough if that were to happen.
"Aberdeen beat Celtic at the weekend and started with seven straight victories. But even with that remarkable start it's still early days and people shouldn't get carried away. I think Celtic will rise to the challenge. But Aberdeen are equally capable of keeping a challenge going.
"Sometimes you talk about strength and depth and that comes down to a number of bodies but really what that comes down to is that if someone goes out the one that comes in is not reducing the standard in any way. I think Aberdeen are able to do that now.
"I was asked that last year at the turn of the year and I felt that Aberdeen would be able to keep it going right to May but I always thought Celtic would prevail in the end. So from this season's stand point they can definitely push. They've galvanised the support, Derek's done that since he has gone in."
Aberdeen's unbeaten start is on the line in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday and the current Albion Rovers assistant manager expects his former side to face a thorough examination against Hearts.
He said: "Tynecastle is a fantastic venue. It's a bear pit really. It's a place that you really have to handle the pressure. It's not the biggest stadium in the world but a real fervent support, they're a big club Hearts.
"But for the last two games we might have been talking about them in the same terms as Aberdeen so I think it's a real cracker of a game at the weekend.
"I expect Aberdeen to handle the situation. I don't think anybody going to Tynecastle can say for sure they will win the game but the extra belief they have got it all adds to a terrific fixture."
