Neither side could find the winning goal as Hearts and Aberdeen battled to a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle Park. Leighton Clarkson’s first league goal of the season put the Dons in front, before Musa Drammeh flicked home a precious equaliser in the second half. Aaron Fraser reports:
After a disappointing defeat away to Cercle Brugge midweek, Neil Critchley made five changes from the side that lost in Belgium. James Penrice missed out through suspension, so Stephen Kingsley returned to the starting lineup at left back.
The lesser-spotted Musa Drammeh, ineligible to feature on Thursday, made his first start for Hearts, coming in for Kenneth Vargas. After making a positive impact against Celtic at Tynecastle, the Spaniard started up front looking to add some pace to the attack. Yan Dhanda, Adam Forrester, and Malachi Boateng also dropped to the bench. Daniel Oyegoke, Blair Spittal and Beni Baningime played from the beginning in their place.
Aberdeen and Hibs played out an all time SPFL classic at Easter Road on Tuesday night, drawing 3-3. Jimmy Thelin also rotated his squad after his team’s midweek exertions. Out went Kevin Nisbet, Slobodan Rubezic, Jack MacKenzie, Graeme Shinnie, Topi Keskinen and Duk. In came Sivert Nilsen, Leighton Clarkson, Ante Palaversa, Angus MacDonald, Shayden Morris and James McGarry.
Hearts started the game on the front foot. Musa pinched the ball off McGarry’s toes in midfield and drilled a daisy cutter goalwards from the edge of the box. Unfortunately for him, it ended up wide of the target.
Cammy Devlin then found himself in nosebleed territory on the right wing, and hung up a tantalising cross for Lawrence Shankland. The Hearts captain tried to channel his inner Zidane but could only thump his volley high into the Gorgie Stand.
Twenty five minutes in, Stephen Kingsley intercepted play just in front of the Aberdeen technical area, and hit the deck writhing in agony. Unable to straighten his leg, the injury sustained by Hearts’ number 3 looked to be serious. After a lengthy spell of treatment, Kingsley was stretchered off and replaced by Craig Halkett.
Moments later, another serious injury blow was dealt to the men in maroon. Frankie Kent was unable to continue and had to be substituted for Adam Forrester. Despite a positive start to the match, losing two defensive mainstays to injury before half time significantly dampened the positive mood around the stadium.
To make matters worse, Aberdeen took the lead on thirty seven minutes. Leighton Clarkson poked the ball past Craig Gordon to spark bedlam in the away end. Despite being second best for most of the first half, the Dons found themselves ahead at Tynecastle.
One change was made at the half time break, and it was for the visitors. Dimitar Mitov sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Ross Doohan.
The first thing Doohan had to do was pick the ball out of his own net, as Hearts finally got the goal they had been craving. Blair Spittal’s dangerous delivery found the head of Musa Drammeh and the flying forward, who had caused Aberdeen problems all game long, headed home. The stadium erupted as Musa gleefully sprinted towards the Main Stand to celebrate his second goal in as many games.
Buoyed by their equaliser, Hearts sensed blood and went in search of a winner. A Blair Spittal free kick was headed across the box by Craig Halkett. Both Musa and Forrest attempted to steer home Halkett’s header, but their shots were dealt with by the Aberdeen rearguard.
With ten minutes to go, Alan Forrest and Musa Drammeh were replaced by Kenneth Vargas and Jorge Grant. The latter found himself in the box and tried to force home a Forrester cross, but wasn’t able to find the net.
Duk, now on the field of play as a substitute, fell to the turf under pressure in the Hearts box, but referee Kevin Clancy quickly booked the Cape Verde international for simulation.
Aberdeen’s Graeme Shinnie was lucky not to see red for a rash challenge on Beni Baningime. After a VAR check, the sending off appeals were eventually waved away to the ire of the home supporters.
Lawrence Shankland, still with only one goal to his name this season, could have won the game in stoppage time. On ninety five minutes, Kenneth Vargas jinked through the Aberdeen defence and teed up Shankland, but his volley ended up over the crossbar.
Both teams may have felt they could have nicked a winner late on, but on the balance of play a point was a fair result in the end. Despite having their early rhythm disrupted by two enforced changes, and conceding from Aberdeen’s first shot on target, Hearts rolled their sleeves up and showed a lot more fight in the second half. Musa Drammeh was voted Man of the Match, his tireless running and crucial goal the deciding factor.
Hearts are back at home next Saturday as they host Dundee, while Aberdeen will play Celtic at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
