Sunday March 1st 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
Hearts hosted struggling Aberdeen yesterday to start their final ten games of the season.
Despite Chesnokov’s winning goal last week, his first for the club, he was dropped to the bench, with Findlay coming out of the squad as well. Kabore and McCart took their place in the starting 11.
For the travelling side, Bilalovic, Mcintyre and goalkeeper Bratveit all dropped out of the starting 11 that drew 0-0 versus Dundee United on Tuesday, with Mitov, Morrison and Keskinen coming in.
Colin Chisolm sang the ‘Hearts song’ on the pitch for the first time as the players walked out, creating an electrifying atmosphere before kick-off.
Just after the one-minute mark, Hearts captain Halkett mistimed a tackle on Olusanya as he was on the attack with Nisbet in support, picking up the first yellow card of the game.
Not long after, Aberdeen attacked down the left wing with Palaversa cutting the ball back across goal however, Olusanya couldn’t control it, and it went out for a goal kick.
Just before the 5-minute mark, Magnusson rose to meet a good cross but headed just wide of the post.
There was a big buzz around the stadium as Hearts had a couple of shots on goal, but nothing too troubling for Mitov.
Milne again with a great ball in, this time met by Braga’s head and once again put just wide.
Hearts were beginning to pile the pressure, but as Aberdeen were on the attack, it was again a Hearts man, McCart, who picked up a yellow card for challenging Olusanya pretty hard, pulling him back in the 17th minute.
Just after 20 minutes, a great looping ball by Spittal played Kaboré through as he was being slightly tugged back, but he got on the end of the ball over Mitov. However, once again going the wrong side of the post, leading to McInnes kicking the frame of the dugout in frustration.
A similar attack from Palaversa and Olusanya’s one in the first few minutes saw another shot miss the target for Aberdeen.
Then in the 28th minute, another sublime ball by Spittal was met by Kabore’s curved run down the wing, knocking the ball past the Aberdeen defender, who slid on into the distance. Kaboré then cutting the ball back across goal, which was met by a smart finish from Braga into the bottom left corner.
As half time approached the game continued to be end to end with both teams winning corners. Spittal’s shot on the edge of the box flying just over the bar with Shinnie picking up a yellow card for pulling Kzyrides back on the counter-attack. It looked like McInnes was complaining to the fourth official saying the referee should have played advantage as Hearts were forming a promising attack.
At half-time Keskinen and Shinnie were replaced by Frane and Nilsen for Aberdeen.
Not long into the second half Kaboré’s shot had movement on it leading to Mitov parrying it into the path of Magnusson who was beaten to it by an Aberdeen player, starting a counter attack leading to Olusanya driving down the wing, cutting the ball back for Devlin whose shot was deflected for a corner.
Around the 52nd minute Spittal shot curled just wide. Not long after Hearts looped another ball into the box with Kaboré flicking it onto the path of Braga who volleyed it from close range to the near post but a great save from Mitov resulted in a corner. Half the stand cheered as they thought the ball hit the back of the net.
Just after the hour mark Geiger was rolling around the ground following a challenge before getting to his feet, jogging tenderly and then remarkably breaking out into a sprint as soon as Spittal won the ball, shouldering him in the back. A bit of pushing occurred and both players were booked.
Ten minutes later, Aberdeen were creating some chances, mainly low driven crosses resulting in corners, but they failed to capitalise.
A coming together between McCart and Devlin resulted in Devlin being booked and coming off the pitch injured.
Around ten minutes after that, Armstrong had the ball in the box where there looked to be a little bit of contact before he stumbled further in before there looked like there could have really been a penalty shout as Steinwender looked like he went into the back of the Aberdeen player. The referee gave nothing as Armstrong lay on the ground.
Aberdeen, not long after, were screaming for a handball as Nisbet was tussling with the Hearts defender as the ball bounced before it looked like the man in maroon punched the ball away. Aberdeen boss Peter Leven was not happy following these decisions and he was letting the fourth official know.
As the final minutes closed in, the game became a bit more end to end with the Aberdeen fans doing their best to cheer their side on, but ultimately Hearts were victorious. The scrappy, frantic encounter at Tynecastle Park ended: Hearts 1-0 Aberdeen
Hearts fans were in full voice but on the pitch a coming together between McInnes and Geiger led to players shoving each other before everyone separated and went their own ways.
Heart’s goal scorer Claudio Braga said in the press conference afterwards that they will try to keep their ‘feet on the ground’ but that it is difficult to ‘not believe it even more’, regarding the title race.
Aberdeen boss Leven said that he didn’t know ‘how it wasn’t a penalty’ regarding the Armstrong shout, saying that it was ‘similar’ to the challenge last week, where Aberdeen player Morrison was sent off. Furthermore, he said that there was ‘no point’ in asking for an explanation.
Following the Old Firm result today, Rangers 2 Celtic 2, Hearts are now six points clear of Rangers and eight clear of Celtic. Although Celtic have a game in hand. The title race is getting very exciting.
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