De Vries off to a flier and it's a Kirk in teeth for Dons

HEARTS 2-0 ABERDEEN

Gary Sutherland

WHEN Craig Levein signed up Mark de Vries for three years on a Bosman deal 14 months ago, the Hearts manager was happy enough to point out that strike specimens on the cheap such as the 6ft 3in Dutchmen are difficult to find.

De Vries did not find the net hard to locate as he embarked on his Hearts career, most memorably racking up four on the second-day Edinburgh derby and going on to be his club’s leading marksman over the course. The 27-year-old wrecking ball was the big difference here, producing a fine first-half solo goal which contained such a lethal combination of skill and strength.

He was removed midway through the second-half with a sore groin. It was a precautionary measure from Levein. "Hopefully we took him off before it was too serious," said the Hearts manager. "Mark scored a great goal and he’s an important player for us."

While Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson, who had to put up with him for much of the hot afternoon, conceded that De Vries is "a fair threat" as Premierleague forwards go, Steve Paterson decided the Hearts striker was the major factor in his side’s defeat with "a special goal." Otherwise, the Aberdeen manager knew that his team had still received a tough time.

"I don’t think many teams will come to Tynecastle and come away with a result," said Paterson. His team had been out of the picture in the first half with Hearts dominating possession and carving the vast majority of chances. It was a pace that the home side could not quite sustain after the interval, as Levein conceded, but it was still Aberdeen who conceded the second goal when Hearts substitute Andy Kirk volleyed home superbly from young Robert Sloan’s centre. It was to be the last kick of the ball.

The only dampener on the Hearts fans’ day was the post-match announcement that Hibs had won at Tannadice. This aside, they had plenty to be chuffed about. Scotland’s third team on last season’s outcome, they still look it, though the home support did find one object of abuse in referee Willie Young, whose series of decisions Aberdeen’s way provoked plenty of anger.

Young was not the only one targeted yesterday. Hardly an attention seeker, Dennis Wyness was nevertheless singled out from the start. It wasn’t the Aberdeen defence who were after him - he had an ineffective debut before being replaced - but the reds in the stand who wasted no time subjecting Wyness to tenuously-rhymed insults and silent single finger gestures. All this because Wyness opted for Tynecastle rather than a reunion with Pele.

Of Levein’s First Division acquisitions, it was Paul Hartley, lately of St Johnstone and formerly of Hibs, who impressed. Phil Stamp had a meritable outing, as did Scott Severin. Paterson fielded David Zdrilic in the Dons attack, and maybe it was the Australian’s tight hamstring which prevented him from firing on all cylinders. Jamie McQuilken debuted on the left for Aberdeen, whilst Scott Booth settled for the bench before making a late showing.

It was pre-match favourites Hearts who pounced first in this encounter. From a broken down Aberdeen move, Stamp pinged a diagonal ball to De Vries on the wide left. The Dutchman displayed immense composure to chest the ball down, turn and make rapid incursions towards the visitors’ penalty area.

A turn inside and a break of the ball and De Vries was clear of the attentions of Russell Anderson and Kevin McNaughton. Scenting blood and well within sight of David Preece, he fired it low and into the far corner.

Aberdeen knew where the danger was emerging from. De Vries had headed over from close range during the early exchanges, and soon after his opener was on the end of an Alan Maybury inswinger for a similar header and result.

Zdrilic had managed a couple of half-attempts that were worthy of note at Tepi Moilanen’s goal, but there was not much else to speak of for the visitors. Paul Sheerin, early in the second half, struck a decent free-kick which was smothered by the Hearts goalkeeper, then Severin tried his luck at the other end but Preece was equal to the effort.

There were Hearts claims for a penalty, and more abuse for referee Young for not giving it when Hartley and Michael Hart went man to man in the Dons penalty area and Hartley fell to the ground. Markus Heikkenen, Aberdeen’s new signing in midfield, lashed one in on Tepi Moilanen who pulled off a fine save. "I thought the Finnish guy had a good game," said Paterson semi specifically about Heikkenen.

"We’ve got to not feel sorry for ourselves," said Anderson at the end. "It’s the first game of many. We’ve got next week to look forward to."

That would be Rangers at Pittodrie, a favoured fixture in the north east.

Taken from the Scotsman