Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence expects the passion off the pitch to be replicated on it tonight.

Clemence knows any meeting with Swindon Town is a big deal for the Gillingham fans as the long-running rivalry has continued since 1979.

The Gills will be looking to build on their win at Notts County on Friday night and ahead of Swindon’s visit, he said: “There is a rivalry there, I don’t know when it goes back to, but I have heard about it, I know the supporters will be passionate about it and I can assure them we will be passionate about the game as well.

“We will be going out to beat Swindon on Tuesday night, it will be a tough game, they have changed their system in the last couple of games with the new manager.

“It’s a big game for us, when you win away from home, if you can back it up with a home win you really start seeing progress in the table, if you do that five or six times a season then you’ll be at the right end of the table.

“There is no point all being happy about the one (on Friday) if we go and draw and get beaten against Swindon.

“As a group we have a (points) tally that we want to get to in our heads and minds and think if we can get to that then we will be where we want to be, we’ll keep that private, but (Friday) was a step in the right direction.

“I was really proud of the boys, they were absolutely fantastic, I have enjoyed working with them ever since I came in, they want to win, they want to be successful, they want to learn, it is nice that we are starting to put some results together now.”

Gillingham’s stay in the top seven didn’t last long as they slipped back to ninth in League 2 on Saturday. Swindon, in 17th, have won just twice in their last 11 games.

The Gills will include former Swindon players Jonny Williams and January addition Remeao Hutton in the side on Tuesday.

Hutton joined the Gills for an undisclosed fee and has started the last four games.

Clemence said: “I am sure he will be really looking forward to it, seeing some of his old team-mates, but I know that when you play your old team you are very, very hungry to win and impress, I am sure he will be no different and looking forward to the game.”

The Gills came from behind to win that game at Notts County, scoring three away goals in the league for the first time this season.

Clemence said: “I know we have only scored three goals at home once this season, I know it is the first time we had scored three away, we have come from behind with different goal scorers.

“The mentality of the boys, they know they are always in a game now and I can see it in their eyes, you are going to go a goal behind and I had my doubts when I first came in I have to be honest but I haven’t got any doubts now.

“I have got a group of men in that dressing room that are doing their all for this football club and long may that continue.”