DONS AFTER BROKEN HEARTS

JIMMY CALDERWOOD admits Aberdeen are determined to take revenge on Hearts today by wrecking their title hopes.

Calderwood's men are still seething after being dumped out the Scottish Cup by two dodgy decisions at Tynecastle last week.

The Dons haven't broken Hearts in Edinburgh for seven years in Edinburgh and have managed just one draw in their last 11 capital clashes.

But Calderwood reckons the midweek win against Rangers has his side fired up to end the Jambos' supremacy.

He said: "We are still aggrieved at events from last week. Hearts spoiled our hopes in the Scottish Cup, now we'll try to spoil theirs in the SPL. The only thing we're concerned with is helping ourselves but if beating Hearts helps Celtic towards the title then so be it.

"We're unbeaten in the league since the start of the year and the win against Rangers means we have sixth-placed Inverness in our sights.

"There are eight games to play before the split and I reckon we need to win at least four of them to make the top six.

"Given the quality in the team that's possible - especially with four of those games being at Pittodrie.

"However, we know Hearts are a very strong team, especially at home. But we showed last week - even with 10 men - that we can create chances against them. It's just a case of taking them this time.

"It would be interesting to get the first goal and see how they handle it."

Scott Severin used to help Hearts humble the Dons time and again before heading north to Pittodrie two years ago and he reckons the Jambos' success is built on a miserly defence.

He said: "Tynecastle is always a hard place to visit as Hearts' record shows - they've lost only once and drawn once there this season.

"Hearts' strength is at the back with Steven Pressley, Andy Webster and Robbie Neilson forming a solid guard in front of Craig Gordon.

"Hearts can still win the Double and their players are on their toes after so many new boys were signed last month. We found that out to our cost last week.

"Maybe this time we'll get a little help from the officials and do ourselves justice.

"I don't know why Aberdeen have such a poor record at Tynecastle as when I played for Hearts they were always tough encounters.

"Our strikers are returning to form. Smith and Lovell got the goals against Rangers and hopefully they'll carry that form into the next game.

"We need to start stringing a few results together to climb the league. The two wins against Rangers have been the exception rather than the rule this season."

Taken from the Daily Record