Dons are left marooned

GRAHAM Rix packed more into one day last week than Jack Bauer ever does in the programme 24 as Hearts supermarket sweep across Europe shifted the Romanov revolution up another gear. As a marker of the vaulting ambition of the Edinburgh club's Russian owner it was mightily impressive and his side's performance yesterday went some way to meeting the new standard.

Their blistering first half performance not only infused Tynecastle with a sense of deja vu, but also second guessed the nay-sayers who thought they might struggle without not only the suspended talisman Paul Hartley but top scorer Rudi Skacel and Greek international Takis Fyssas.

As in the derby last week after a slightly sluggish start Hearts were three up by half-time with the demolished opposition reduced to ten men by the onslaught with once again a centre back sent off. This time it was Zander Diamond picking up his fifth red card for the club as Aberdeen crumbled like Hibs had under the pressure. Diamond was force into an error as last man he pulled down Calum Elliot on the stroke of half time in the box. But by that time Aberdeen were two down and desperate to get into he dressing room. However, Stephen Pressley did not let them find any respite until after he thrashed the ball past Jamie Langfield.

Meanwhile Hearts most expensive signing ever Mirsad Beslija was left to play a supporting role in his debut which is some indication of the strength in depth at Tynecastle these days. The Bosnian looked as if he'd stepped out of the Big Brother house with the pelt off Pete Burns' "gorilla" coat as a hair piece, but it was Deividas Cesnauskis on the other wing who was the centre of attention as man of the match, but it should also be notedthe other debutant, Joze Goncalves, looked impressive both with his stature and skill at full back.

However, Hearts' opener had Made in Gorgie stamped all over it .

After fending off Aberdeen's sprightly start, Hearts were beginning to knock the ball about when youth product Calum Elliot crossed over from the left to pick the ball up wide on the right. The 18-year-old held it up before finding a space past McNaughton to slip a cross into the centre of the box where Michal Pospisil spun off Russell Anderson to turn and volley knee high past Langfield up into the roof of the net.

Hearts now turned the screw with Julien Brellier and Lee Johnson standing in for Hartley snuffing out Scott Severin and Danny Griffin.

Aberdeen did have one bone of contention to grasp at as Steve Crawford appealed for a penalty after Robbie Neilson had pulled his shirt in a crowded goalmouth. However, that is part of Hearts defensive effectiveness, with both Pressley and Andy Webster, in particular, masters of getting in tight on their opponents.

Meanwhile, Elliot was rewarded for his earlier endeavour when Cesnauskis set him up for the second in the 34th minute when the Lithuanians hit the byline on the left and cut back for Elliot to get in front of his man and stab the ball in at an acute angle at the near post.

Just as Skacel had tormented Hibs on their right side last week so Cesnauskis did likewise to Aberdeen. Indeed he almost got his own name on the score sheet in the 44th when he turned inside but his drive was a yard wide.

As Aberdeen looked desperately towards the tunnel with the possibility, albeit quite unlikely, of recouping something from a two goal deficit Elliot stuck the dagger in slicing open the defence with a ball through for Pospisil. As the striker positioned himself to shoot Zander Diamond took the legs from him and Kenny Clark had no option but to produce the red card and Pressley made it three with emphatic confidence. Again like last week Hearts eased off in the second half. But this is a sign of a team that knows how to pace itself and play in bursts when they pick up the pace but realise they cannot go helter skelter for 90 minutes without burning out.

Aberdeen brought on John Stewart for Richard Foster as they rearranged themselves at the start of the second half with Severin moving back into defence alongside Anderson.

Barry Nicholson did have an opportunity to pull one back three minutes in but he snatched at his shot skying over just as Crawford had done before half time. However Hearts were never unduly worried and had the luxury of bringing on new signing Juho Makela for a run about. But of concern was the knee injury picked up by Beslija ten minutes from time.

Meantime, news of what happened at Ibrox only increased confidence that the Romanov revolution could have a silver lining in its first season.

Taken from the Scotsman