Hearts Vs Aberdeen: Braga’s 15th lifts leaders to seven-point cushion at Tynecastle
In a tight Tynecastle encounter, hearts vs aberdeen finished 1-0 after Claudio Braga’s half-hour strike — his 15th of the season — a goal that moved the hosts seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and left Aberdeen eighth after a fifth game without a win.
Hearts seize the chance to stretch the lead
Braga’s goal arrived just before the half-hour mark after Pierre Landry Kabore muscled down the right, shrugged off a sliding challenge from Liam Morrison and picked out Braga, who slotted in from around 10 yards. The stadium was a full house at a rocking Tynecastle as the league leaders took the chance to widen the gap ahead of the Old Firm meeting at Ibrox on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Hearts Vs Aberdeen: key moments and missed chances
Hearts dominated early. Braga forced goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov into action after 10 minutes and then sent a header wide. Kabore should have put Hearts ahead after 21 minutes when he could not guide a lob over the onrushing Mitov. At the other end, Toyosi Olusanya troubled the Hearts defence and met a low Topi Keskinen cross but fired well over.
After the break Kabore stung Mitov’s palms and later set up Braga at the back post, only for Mitov to deny the Portuguese. Aberdeen ended the match without a shot on target; Kevin Nesbit’s wayward first-time volley was the closest they managed in a stuffy second half.
Ferguson in the stands and McInnes’ reaction
Sir Alex Ferguson watched from the stands as Aberdeen’s stuttering season continued. Hearts manager Derek McInnes praised the team’s application and approach, saying he was pleased with the performance and noting the risks that came with going all in at times against the pace of Keskinen and Olusanya. McInnes singled out Braga for praise, calling his output "unbelievable" and adding that "this week will [be] good for him" as Braga manages a groin issue.
McInnes also joked about gifting Ferguson a bottle to take home, saying, "We got him a nice bottle to take home with him but he opened it already. We all know he likes his red wine. I'm just glad he saw the team win, he saw Tynecastle the way it was today. " McInnes made an additional reference to Alex Schwolow that is unclear in the provided context.
Braga’s season and squad notes
Braga, a Portuguese forward once at Aalesunds, has scored 15 goals in 35 appearances this season. The win was Hearts’ second on the bounce and leaves them seven points clear with nine games to play. The squad has featured signings such as Greek Alexandros Kyziridis, who arrived from Slovakia’s Zemplin Michalovce earlier in the season, and former Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay, who had been an ever-present since his summer move.
Weekend context and other Scottish Premiership reactions
Highlights of the day are available on Sportscene, which starts on Scotland at 19: 15. On Sunday there is a high noon showdown at Ibrox as Rangers and Celtic meet in a match that will be watched closely by teams trying to keep in touch with Hearts.
Across other fixtures, Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann said it "doesnt help when you lose a goal in the first minute" after a loss to Falkirk, adding that Falkirk were more aggressive and deserved the win. Hibernian head coach David Gray described mixed emotions after conceding a late goal and lamented defensive lapses that cost his side. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin criticised a penalty decision and VAR involvement that he felt changed his side’s game against Motherwell. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson called a point away from home "a point gained, " saying his side had hoped for three but failed to defend a long ball properly.
What’s next
Hearts are not in action again until 14 March. In the immediate calendar, the Old Firm meeting at Ibrox on Sunday — scheduled for high noon — will be the next major fixture to influence the top of the table and will be watched closely by Derek McInnes and his squad as they sit seven points clear.
