Alex Salmond is showing "breathtaking arrogance" over his chances of snatching a Liberal Democrat seat, Nick Clegg said - and pledged to personally campaign to secure a "big upset" at the general election.
The Deputy Prime Minister accused Scotland's former first minister of taking voters for granted in his desire for an "elevated coronation" so he can "strut his stuff" at Westminster.
Mr Salmond is seeking a return to the Commons in the Gordon constituency in Aberdeenshire, where Lib Dem veteran Sir Malcolm Bruce is stepping down in May after more than 30 years.
Bookmakers make the SNP the massive odds-on favourite to win the seat, which would give Mr Salmond a prominent new role after quitting as party leader and first minister following defeat in the Scottish independence referendum.
But Mr Clegg told reporters the SNP government north of the border had not served the area well and declared: "I think we can cause quite a big upset.
"The arrogance with which Alex Salmond regards what the people of Gordon might do as nothing more that a sort-of elevated coronation so that he can waft down to the Westminster stage and strut his stuff in the House of Commons is absolutely breathtaking."
"I think the earthy good common sense of the people of Gordon will say 'don't take us for granted Alex Salmond' - fix our roads, fix our hospitals, do what you are supposed to do.
"Don't trample on our heads."
He went on: "One of the great virtues of our democracy, threadbare though it may be in so many respects ... is that whoever you are, and however self important you think you are, even as self-important as Alex Salmond, you have to account - week in and week out - to your constituents."
"I think it's all gone a bit to his head, he thinks he doesn't need to bother with the ABC of how to get elected - which starts with people's local needs and that's why I think fighting a vigorous, local campaign ... will cause an upset to many of the assumptions about Alex Salmond's prospects."
Asked if he would travel to the constituency to campaign with candidate Christine Jardine, he said: "Absolutely."
SNP MSP for North East Scotland Christian Allard said: "When the SNP are focused on the serious issues of ensuring that Scotland gets strong representation at Westminster, Nick Clegg seems to be reduced to playing it for laughs.
"We would relish visits from Nick Clegg to Gordon and anywhere else in Scotland - the more the merrier, and we would happily pay his bus fare.
"The latest poll shows that an extraordinary 74% of people in Scotland don't trust Nick Clegg - only 10% do - and no wonder after so many broken promises.
"By contrast, polling also shows that most people who voted Lib Dem in 2010 back Alex Salmond standing for Westminster - as do a majority across Scotland as a whole - so Nick Clegg isn't even backed by the dwindling number of Lib Dem voters."
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