Hearts Vs Aberdeen: Claudio Braga sends league leaders seven points clear
Hearts Vs Aberdeen finished 1-0 at Tynecastle as Claudio Braga's strike on the half-hour mark, his 15th of the season, secured a vital win that moved the league leaders seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Hearts Vs Aberdeen decided by Braga's 15th goal
Braga finished from around 10 yards after Pierre Landry Kabore muscled down the right, avoided a sliding challenge from Liam Morrison and picked out the Portuguese striker. The goal came after Braga had forced goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov into a save after 10 minutes and sent a header wide shortly afterwards. Kabore had earlier failed to direct a lob over the onrushing Mitov after 21 minutes, and Toyosi Olusanya fired well over for the visitors when he met a low cross from Topi Keskinen.
Tynecastle atmosphere, key moments and the second half
A full house at a rocking Tynecastle roared the hosts on as Hearts dominated the early stages. After the break Kabore stung the palms of Mitov and the goalkeeper was on hand to deny Braga at the back post after Braga connected with Kabore's flick-on. Aberdeen struggled to create clear chances in a stuffy second half; Kevin Nesbit's wayward first-time volley was their best effort as they finished the game without a shot on target. The visitors pushed late for an equaliser but the hosts were never really in danger and held on for three points.
Legends, managers and reaction from Tynecastle
Sir Alex Ferguson, aged 84, watched from the stands. Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who formerly managed Aberdeen, praised his players and singled out Braga, saying the team's application and approach were spot on and that the output from the side was really good. McInnes also said he had given Ferguson a bottle to take home and that Ferguson had already opened it; McInnes added that he was glad Ferguson saw Tynecastle the way it was on the day. McInnes noted there were scary moments in transitions because of the pace of Topi Keskinen and Toyosi Olusanya. A fragment of McInnes's post-match remarks references Alex Schwolow but the remainder of that comment is unclear in the provided context.
Braga's form, squad notes and season picture
Braga, a Portuguese forward and a former Aalesunds player, has scored 15 goals in 35 appearances. McInnes said the week would be good for Braga as the striker manages a groin issue. Earlier in the season Alexandros Kyziridis, a Greek signing from Slovakia's Zemplin Michalovce, made headlines, and former Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay had been an ever-present since his summer move until recently. Hearts' 1-0 win was their second on the bounce and came with nine games to play in the campaign.
Wider matchday roundup and TV highlights
Other matchday voices were notable across the division. Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann said a first-minute goal had decided their game, saying they were beaten by the better team and that his side had come up short. Hibernian head coach David Gray described mixed emotions after conceding a late goal and praised his players' character after turning the game around only to take a point. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin criticised a penalty decision and VAR involvement in his side's defeat, while St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson called a draw a point gained after conceding from a long ball into the box. Highlights of the day's action will be available on Sportscene at 19: 15 with Richard Foster joining Steven Thompson in the studio.
Aberdeen remain eighth after their fifth game without a win. With the gap widened for 24 hours at least, Hearts can watch Sunday's high‑noon showdown at Ibrox between Rangers and Celtic with interest. Hearts are not in action again until 14 March; the fixture list shows they will play Motherwell twice before the end of the season, will likely travel to Celtic Park and to Hibernian's Easter Road after the split, and will host Rangers, who beat them at Ibrox earlier this month.
