Hearts 3 - 0 Aberdeen

ROB ROBERTSON February 06 2006

Scorers: Pospisil (21), Elliot (34), Pressley (45 pen)

Hearts are making plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their 1956 Scottish Cup triumph with a dinner at Tynecastle in April. Freddie Glidden, their captain then, will be guest of honour with the present squad, who now look a good bet to emulate the boys of '56.

With the Old Firm out of the equation Graham Rix's side have the experience to ensure Vladimir Romanov's considerable investment could pay dividends with a major trophy in his first full season at the helm.

There has been praise for Romanov's decision to bring in 11 players during the transfer window but it is a puzzle why so many were needed. How Graham Rix works out his best first XI, while keeping the rest happy, will be difficult.

He has brought in Jim Duffy to help and while Hearts fans may not relish a former Hibs manager in the home dugout it is clear his presence is required. If they can sort their way through the plethora of new talent and accents, how you could bet against the Edinburgh club at least making the Scottish Cup final?

They are also having a bit of luck. After home ties against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen they now face either Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Partick Thistle at Tynecastle. Hearts deserved their win over Aberdeen but a few decisions helped them.

Stevie Crawford was pulled back by Andy Webster in 24 minutes and there was a strong case for a penalty and a red card. Referee Kenny Clark told the Aberdeen players he had not seen the incident but as Russell Anderson said: "I thought assistant referees were there to help refs notice these things."

Zander Diamond was also sent off for a last-man tackle on Calum Eliot. The Aberdeen man had to go but the penalty award looked dubious as the defender seemed to have first made contact outside the box.

Jimmy Calderwood, the Aberdeen manager, kept going on about the Crawford incident, showing how desperate he was to divert attention from his side's deplorable season. Out of the Scottish Cup and eighth in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague is not what Aberdeen supporters expect.

First-half goals from Michal Pospisil, Elliot and a penalty from Steven Pressley coupled with the red card awarded to Diamond saw the match over as a contest by half-time.

Out of the 11 players who arrived at Hearts in the transfer window José Gonçalves, the defender from FC Thun, slotted in well at left-back and Mirsad Beslija, the Bosnian midfielder from Racing Genk, put in a decent shift until stretchered off with a leg injury.

Lee Johnston, the pocket-sized midfielder, is busy all over the field and difficult to mark. Juho Makela, the Finnish striker, looked the debutant most suited to Scottish football. The big striker made his physical presence felt when he came on as a second-half substitute.

With so many players to choose from Rix will have his work cut out making all the pieces fit.

With fixtures coming thick and fast there is no time for experimentation and Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow evening is the latest test of character for his team.

Taken from the Herald