Hearts V Aberdeen – Cinch Scottish Premiership (02/03/2022)
Headed Edinburgh bound on the 1811 from Polmont whilst enjoying a nice cold can of 0.0% Guinness, as I don’t drink alcohol I’m really enjoying Guinness’ alcohol free option. Got to Haymarket at around half 6 and made my way into Gorgie. Had a spring in my step during my walk to Tynecastle as yesterday myself and friend Anas released the first episode of our new Hearts podcast ‘The Men In Maroon’, and had some great feedback so far. If you fancy a listen links can be found here https://linktr.ee/MenInMaroon_Pod
To say it was a cold night in Gorgie would be an understatement, as it was bloody freezing!! Glad I wore my woolly hat and scarf, especially with my lack of hair on top. Fancied a chippy bit Gorgie Fish Bar was rammed, good business for them but an empty gut for me. Got to say I love the buzz around the streets surrounding Tynecastle Park before a game, just adds to the pre match excitement for me. Kind of glad the chippy was busy, as to my disbelief when I got into the stadium, they had KEBAB PIES on sale!! Anyone who read my piece on St Mirren away knows how I feel about these pieces of heaven in pastry.
A great touch with 10 minutes to go before kick off as ‘We Stand With Ukraine’ displayed on the advertising boards and both sets of fans came together for a minutes applause to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The players and fans observed a minutes applause before kick off in memory of Hearts legend and former captain Alan Anderson, who sadly passed away today.
I enjoyed booing my least favourite footballer Scott Brown as the teams were read out, along with everyone of a maroon persuasion upon his first touch. There was a good atmosphere from the off as Hearts dominated the first few minutes, playing some nice passing football and Aberdeen had a packed away end behind them. Ellis Simms had the best of the chances on 8 minutes from a Kingsley cross but his header just went over.
Hearts continued their dominance and if it wasn’t for a timely block, Liam Boyce would have broken the deadlock. Penalty shout for the Jambos as a cross looked to have been blocked with a hand but only a corner was given.
Aberdeen had the ball in the net from a header following a free kick and had their fans celebrating but luckily for Hearts it was disallowed due to a foul. To be fair if it was given it would have been undeserved, as they hadn’t really created many chances at all. Worryingly Aberdeen were winning lots of attacking free kicks but luckily they came to nothing.
Following a Scott Brown foul, from the resulting free kick the ball was deflected out to John Souttar on the edge of the box and he smashed the ball into the net for a deserved 1-0 lead for Hearts with 38 minutes played.
A good first half from Hearts and going in 1-0 up was the least Hearts deserved, some good football played and showing good confidence going forward. Gary Mackay-Steven had a good half against his former club and Ellis Simms put himself about well.
Barrie McKay found himself in the game more putting in some dangerous crosses and looked like he found his way through and going to get his first goal but was denied by a block. From the corner he redeemed himself by assisting Stephen Kingsley who scored a great bullet header with 15 minutes of the second half played.
Aberdeen were awarded a soft penalty, which from my view looked like a dive. Ferguson stepped up for Aberdeen but Hearts skipper Craig Gordon went the right way to save down low and keep hold of his clean sheet.
Another penalty shout late on, this time Halkett was pulling back for a shot and was shoved to the ground but referee McLean gave nothing. At least he was consistent by being poor and making bad decisions.
A good performance and the second Hearts 2-0 win in a matter of days. Confidence looked to be back again, had control of the game and never looked like anything but a Hearts win to be honest.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – Season Ticket
Programme Price – £3.50
Programme Rating – 8/10
Refreshments – 9/10
Stadium Facilities – 7/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 9/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Aberdeen.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 