Aberdeen 1 - 0 Hearts

Dec 29 2008 Ian Orr

THERE was more than the door to Hearts' dressing room damaged in the angry aftermath of their weekend defeat at Pittodrie. The Tynecastle club's credentials as main challengers to the Old Firm took a severe beating as well.

Even before the Jambos arrived in Aberdeen, their disciplinary record was the worst of any club in the SPL.

And following Lithuanian defender Marius Zaliukas' second-half ordering off for trying to strike Andrew Considine in the face and Lee Wallace's red card for his part in a scuffle in the tunnel after the match, their temperament is obviously suspect.

The Jambos hinted that the aggro had been caused by their rivals diving to get them into trouble but the fact is they were outplayed and outfought by the better team on the day and couldn't handle it.

Once Lee Miller's stunning volley had fired Aberdeen into the lead in the 36th minute, a Hearts victory was unlikely because they haven't won a league game by more than one goal all season.

Certainly, the pedestrian Christian Nade, ploughing a lone furrow up front, never looked as if he had anything in his locker that could haul his side back into the game.

According to their manager, Csaba Laszlo, his priority is to strengthen his attack during next month's transfer window.

How ironic then that Miller, who enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career at Tynecastle, scoring 11 goals in 22 games while on loan from Bristol City, scored the match winner.

Then Jambos' boss John Robertson, commentating on the game for the BBC, wanted to secure a permanent deal for £75,000 but this was scuppered by his Lithuanian master. Now Aberdeen value the hitman, signed on a free from Dundee United, in the £1million bracket.

Starting on Saturday, the week during which Hearts face Hibs at home in the league and away in the Scottish Cup, with a trip to Motherwell in the SPL sandwiched in between, will define their season.

Even more worrying for Hearts' loyal support is the long-term future of the club and what Vladimir Romanov's plans will be once he has flogged off their best players during the transfer window.

Captain Christophe Berra made no attempt to hide his desire to move on to a bigger stage if the opportunity arises.

The Scotland defender said: "There has been a lot of speculation about my future recently but I am a Hearts player and I will always try my best for the club.

"If I move it's not down to me because money talks and if someone comes and makes a good offer the club can't refuse then I am sure they would let me go.

"I am not going to lie, I have ambitions to go on to bigger and better things in my career even though Hearts are a big club.

"Until that happens, I am here and it is important we pick ourselves up for the Hibs game as there is no better way to bounce back than by beating them.

"We didn't play well against Aberdeen and didn't deserve to get anything out of the game but we have just come off a seven-game unbeaten run so we can't get too down.

"At least we kept going to the end where in previous seasons we might have given up when we were losing then had someone sent off so it shows we have real character.

"There are things I'd like to say but I'm not going to give anyone headlines. I did feel I was affected by getting booked so early in the game.

"And I don't think it should have been a yellow card because I went through their player's legs to get the ball. But in this situation, I had to watch what I was doing in every challenge after that.

"I don't think the free-kick which led to their goal should have been given either but that's just the way the referee saw it. You just have to take these decisions on the chin and get on with it."

Aberdeen's fifth home win on the spin narrowed the gap on Hearts to a single point and with a game in hand over Dundee United they are confident and capable of claiming third place in the SPL.

Their impressive revival makes those who called for Jimmy Calderwood's head when his side briefly slumped to bottom place look rather foolish now.

The Dons boss now expects the six players out of contract at the end of the season to sign new deals over the next few weeks.

He said: "It was a blow to lose Charlie Mulgrew in the first minute but after a very nervous start, we settled well and deserved the victory.

"Our keeper didn't have too much to do and this was a massive win in terms of our ambitions to get back into Europe.

"Hearts are a big, physical side so it was important to keep our discipline and I thought we did that.

"Miller's goal was worked out on the training ground but it was one fit to win any game as it was a wonder strike."

MAN OF THE MATCH

Scott Severin (Aberdeen)

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION %

53 47

SHOTS ON TARGET

6 1

SHOTS OFF TARGET

4 4

CORNERS

4 6

FOULS CONCEDED

14 9

OFFSIDES

1 1

ABERDEEN

MAN BY MAN

Jamie Langfield: Rarely troubled but confident and composed throughout. 6

Richard Foster: Delivered on his promise to keep Andy Driver quiet. 7

Zander Diamond: Won everything in air against Nade and helped by skipper. 7

Scott Severin: Captain led by example in winning tackles and set up the winner. 8

Charlie Mulgrew: Injured in opening seconds after clash with Nade. 1

Jeffrey de Visscher: Best game and a cert to get new deal if this form continues. 7

Gary McDonald: Impressive partnership with Kerr and always a goal threat. 6

Mark Kerr: Tireless worker again showed why he's been such an important signing. 6

Sone Aluko: Wandered across the front line without producing his normal flair. 6

Darren Mackie: Missed glaring early chance but was a constant threat. 7

Lee Miller: Underlined Scotland claims with one of the best goals of his career. 7

Subs: Andrew Considine - Shaky start then settled in effectively, 3. Lee Mair - Never got touch, 1. Chris Maguire - Never involved,1.

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Janos Balogh: Made several clutch saves but had no chance with winner. 6

Robbie Neilson: Subdued Aluko threat and kept driving team forward. 7

Marius Zaliukas: Red-carded. Should be fined for bad sportsmanship and stupidity. 5

Christophe Berra: Dealt with aerial threat but struggled against Mackie pace. 6

Lee Wallace: Never got to grips with de Visscher and later saw red in frustration. 5

Laryea Kingston: Never a factor and seemed as if mind was on his next move. 5

Michael Stewart: Did his utmost to win midfield battle but not enough support. 6

Christos Karapidis: Failed to anchor the midfield and protect his rearguard. 5

Ruben Palazuelos: Couldn't use range of passes due to limited options up front. 6

Andy Driver: In Foster's grip throughout and couldn't back up Nade. 5

Christian Nade: Hadn't the pace or the desire to play as lone striker. 5

Subs: Eggert Jonsson - Did his best to turn tide, 4. Gary Glen - Willing, but no impact, 2.

MAGIC MOMENT

Aberdeen striker Lee Miller's stunning volley was worthy of winning any match.

Taken from the Daily Record