Hearts 2-0 Aberdeen: match report and players ratings as two defenders score 8.5s

Susanna Sealy
·4-min read
Made some important first half saves including one that took a wicked deflection on its way. Not much to do in second half.
Made some important first half saves including one that took a wicked deflection on its way. Not much to do in second half.

Steven Naismith’s side have certainly fulfilled their promise to excite their fans as Aberdeen’s visit to Tynecastle was not shy of the drama. Goals from Yutaro Oda and Liam Boyce ensured the home team went away with the vital three points and Hearts’ fight to get back into their 2023/24 season is well and truly on.

The Dons kicked off early with James McGarry striking at the goal in the opening two minutes but it was nothing Zander Clark couldn’t manage.

Hearts’ return to action began slower with the visiting side enjoying much more opportunity to score and it seemed the ‘fatigue’ Naismith had previously spoken about was set-in for the long haul. However, it was the returning 22-year-old Oda that ultimately split the difference in the opening half after Liam Boyle sent out the ball for the Japanese forward to strike right past Kelle Roos.

Struggled with Duk and McGarry down the left early on but soon took the game by the scruff of the neck and was huge in keeping a clean sheet.
Struggled with Duk and McGarry down the left early on but soon took the game by the scruff of the neck and was huge in keeping a clean sheet.

Hearts continued, however, on a path of aggression with three yellow cards being dishes out in the first half, two in two minutes sending the Gorgie fans into fits of rage.

Unfortunately for the Jambos, their goal scorer was soon to come off, finishing his weekend after just 32 minutes and was soon seen on crutches in the dugout.

The fire and pace was quickly resumed after half-time with Aberdeens’ Duk continuing to receive cries of booing anytime his foot went near the ball.

Shankland, Vargas, and the Dons’ McGarry were the main stirrers of trouble for the respective men between the sticks but the scramble for the next goal was finally ended after Calem Nieuwenhof beautifully brought the ball into the box. After a defection of a visiting shirt, Liam Boyce secured his first goal of the season and Hearts’ second of the match.

Aberdeen attacked down the flanks a lot in the first half but found little joy on the right through Kingsley and Rowles dealing with them well.
Aberdeen attacked down the flanks a lot in the first half but found little joy on the right through Kingsley and Rowles dealing with them well.

In true fashion, the meeting between these two teams was far from dull with the battle going end-to-end right until the final whistle and, while it’s unlikely the referee is to be welcomed back to Tynecastle with open arms anytime soon, Hearts will rejoice in taking away the crucial win.

Early yellow car put him on thin ice and kept making rash decisions and going in for 50/50s - subbed off before he could be sent off.
Early yellow car put him on thin ice and kept making rash decisions and going in for 50/50s - subbed off before he could be sent off.
Link up play with other attackers was good but in front of goal he was well below his usual par and squandered a few decent opportunities.
Link up play with other attackers was good but in front of goal he was well below his usual par and squandered a few decent opportunities.
Linked up well with other attackers and reacted well for his first goal of the season after Roos spilled the ball - a real poachers finish as they say.
Linked up well with other attackers and reacted well for his first goal of the season after Roos spilled the ball - a real poachers finish as they say.
Stroke of luck with the deflection for the goal, McGarry’s attacking intent gave him a lot of freedom down the right wing and he was having a great game before coming off injured.
Stroke of luck with the deflection for the goal, McGarry’s attacking intent gave him a lot of freedom down the right wing and he was having a great game before coming off injured.
Solid first half with Aberdeen focusing play down the wings and was another important part of a huge defensive performance.
Solid first half with Aberdeen focusing play down the wings and was another important part of a huge defensive performance.
Most of Aberdeen’s attack came down the left in the fist half and he did have a few moments but overall did well when called upon.
Most of Aberdeen’s attack came down the left in the fist half and he did have a few moments but overall did well when called upon.
A fantastic performance alongside Kingsley on the left side of the defence which was put under a lot of pressure but dealt with it superbly.
A fantastic performance alongside Kingsley on the left side of the defence which was put under a lot of pressure but dealt with it superbly.
Leathered the cross bar with a magnificent effort from distance which would have been a goal of the season contender had it gone in.
Leathered the cross bar with a magnificent effort from distance which would have been a goal of the season contender had it gone in.
On in first half for Oda and immediately missed a big opportunity to make it 2-0. Wasn’t as impactful as Oda but a solid performance.
On in first half for Oda and immediately missed a big opportunity to make it 2-0. Wasn’t as impactful as Oda but a solid performance.
Important to get Haring off and had a much more composed performance.
Important to get Haring off and had a much more composed performance.
On immediately after second goal. Brought fresh legs which gave Hearts a good edge going forward late on.
On immediately after second goal. Brought fresh legs which gave Hearts a good edge going forward late on.
Also on immediately after second goal. Performed an important role marshalling Duk late in the game
Also on immediately after second goal. Performed an important role marshalling Duk late in the game
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Hearts' Liam Boyce celebrates with teammates after scoring to make it 2-0 during a cinch Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen at Tynecastle Park, on September 16, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Hearts' Liam Boyce celebrates with teammates after scoring to make it 2-0 during a cinch Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen at Tynecastle Park, on September 16, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)