Hearts V Aberdeen – Cinch Scottish Premiership (22/08/2021)
Earlier start than expected, due to the rail staff strikes still happening every Sunday there was no train from Stepps to Edinburgh. So I had to get a bus into Glasgow and then a train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh. But it’s all worth it as I’m finally heading back to Tynecastle for the first time since February 2020. The bus journey was improved when a dog got onto the bus, happy Daz and made up for leaving mine at home all day today with my wife. Due to the lack of trains and only one service to Edinburgh an hour, the train was heaving which did wonders for my anxiety. Decided to read a book, Locked Out Of Our Hearts: Scottish Football Survives The Pandemic by Alastair Stupart.
Once off the train at Haymarket, i was greeted in the pub opposite the station by some Aberdeen fans chanting, football is well and truly back! I made the walk to Gorgie. A walk I know like the back of my hand and to be honest with you had missed. I walked a lot slower than I usually would due to a mix of arriving with 2 hours to kick off and so that I could take everything in on my walk to the stadium.
Popped into the club shop to get number 26 printed on the back of my home shirt in honour of the late great Marius Žaliūkas, also picked up a pin badge honouring him. Nice and quick service in the club shop, so next on the walk I went to Gorgie Fish Bar for a pre match scran, a pair of jumbo sausages that went down a treat.
It was an easy enough walk to Tynecastle but then the fun began as I tried to find how to get into the Roseburn Stand, as my seat had been moved from my usual spot in the Wheatfield Stand on the halfway line. After asking several stewards where to go, I was sent to 3 different gates all telling me I couldn’t go in that way. I was even sent to the turnstiles for away fans by one steward, which was really worrying. Finally finding the right turnstile I went to my relocated seat behind the goal. I went to get a drink before kick off to find they only had Capri Sun or water, so I paid £2.80 for a Capri Sun. I also then found out that I didn’t bring anything to attach my new flag to the railings with, so I had to hold it up and I will remember for the next game to bring some ties.
I’ve never been a fan of watching football from behind the goal and try to get a seat as close to the halfway line, that’s where my season ticket seat is but due to needing to keep areas by the tunnels clear I was moved. We were seated near the away fans and we were only separated by what could be described as a fabric barrier the kind that separates the queues at an airport check in. Although I’ve been to many games since June there’s nothing quite like being at one of my home grounds, Tynecastle Park and next week will be the same when I go to Montgomery Waters Meadow.
From the off it was clear that Peter Haring wasn’t going to let Scott Brown have an easy afternoon as in the opening minutes he put in a few tasty challenges on him, also his every touch greeted by boo’s on mass. Aberdeen broke through the Hearts defence only got the yellow wall that is Craig Gordon to put a stop to any chance.
On the 26th minute the Hearts fans remembered captain Marius Žaliūkas by all four stands housing Jambo’s twirled their scarves and chanted Zak’s name. Disrespectfully the Aberdeen fans decided to chant “What the fucking hell is that?”, even though it had been announced over the PA system prior to the game and on the digital advertising board during the 26th minute. After half a minute they went silent probably realising what arseholes they were. REST IN POWER BIG ZAL 5-1!!
Hearts had a shout for a penalty as Ginnelly seemed to have been brought down after taking on a Don’s defender but the referee waived play on. Liam Boyce looked to have done the keeper and open for a goal but the linesman flagged late for offside, promising from Hearts.
Decent first half, Hearts had the ball in the Aberdeen half for the most part after the Don’s kept it in the Jambo’s half for the first 10 minutes of the game. Peter Haring and Baningime had good halves in the middle as did Ginnelly put wide, he even maintained it when he switched flanks midway through the first half. Promising from Hearts just feel they need to make the most of their chances they are creating as Gordon didn’t have much to do.
The Jambo’s had an early chance after the break with Ginelly from distance but the visitors then caused issues in the Hearts box. Hearts had the best opportunity of the game yet but Mackay-Steven fired wife from close range after good Hearts pressure.
On 54 minutes Gary Mackay-Steven made a run in the box and was brought down, after a delay the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepper top scorer Liam Boyce who calmly smashed the ball down the middle to make it 1-0 to the Jam Tarts. Hearts maintained the upper hand until a lapse of concentration at the back after 71 minutes, saw a ball that was flashed across the goal not dealt with and after a ball back into the six yard box Ojo beat the Hearts defence to the ball at the front post to beat Gordon to equalise. Scott Brown did what Scott Brown does best be a knob and antagonise the Hearts fans and then followed up with a rash challenge on Halliday, no idea how he wasn’t booked up to this point.
The goal seemed to give the Don’s a boost as they had the majority of the ball and pressed Hearts deep into their own box. Hearts worked the ball wide and went close as a shot was hit across the face of the goal but Cochrane couldn’t get on the end of it. Aberdeen went close as the ball was whipped across the six yard box but John Souttar slid to clear. Late on Aberdeen’s manager Stephen Glass was booked for mouthing off at the officials.
So on my return to Tynecastle ended in a 1-1 draw, which to be fair was the right result as I don’t think either side did enough to earn three points. I think if Hearts had been more clinical in the final they’re then it could have been a different story, but still unbeaten in the league. I thought Haring had a good game and Aberdeen are a decent side so a point in my opinion is a good one.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – Season Ticket
Programme Price – £3.50
Programme Rating – 7/10
Refreshments – 4/10
Stadium Facilities – 6/10
Getting to stadium – 8/10
Stadium rating – 8/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Aberdeen.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 