.png)
6 hours ago
5
Hearts’ miserable summer continued as they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Aberdeen in their Premiership opener at Pittodrie.
Wouter Vrancken and Hearts looked on course for a much-needed victory after a turbulent few months as they led through Oisin McEntee’s first-half goal. But just as they looked to be closing out a first win at Pittodrie for more than a decade, Lewis Mayo equalised in the 90th minute before Kevin Nisbet won it for Aberdeen with a stoppage-time penalty after Stuart Findlay was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
It was a third consecutive defeat for Vrancken, who has endured a chastening start since replacing Derek McInnes in June. There were five changes to the side that lost Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier at home to Sturm Graz, with the goalkeeper Beau Reus and Laurent Mendy handed their debuts.
In what was their first league match since being pipped to the title by Celtic in May, the 1,600-strong travelling support could be regularly heard singing anti-SFA songs in protest at the contentious calls from officials in the closing matches of last season. There was also a sense of trepidation about the prospect of kicking off the new season at Pittodrie, where Hearts had not won in their previous 14 visits.
Hearts took the lead in the 35th minute after some pinball in the penalty area. Ba-Sy’s cutback from the left broke to Blair Spittal, whose shot was blocked by Nesta Guinness-Walker on the edge of the six-yard box. Dan Happe’s attempt to clear ran into the path of McEntee, who shot low into the net from seven yards.
After Cláudio Braga spurned a good chance to double the visitors’ lead, Aberdeen levelled in the 90th minute when Mayo bundled in from close range after Happe headed Ronan’s free-kick back into the danger area. The dramatic turnaround was completed in stoppage time when Toyosi Olusanya was hauled down by Findlay, who saw red, and Nisbet despatched the spot-kick.
St Johnstone twice gave up the lead before storming back to edge a seven-goal thriller at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Aaron Tshibola’s error allowed the hosts to take the lead in the 16th minute, with Sam Stanton stealing the ball to start a counterattack that was finished well by Josh Fowler. Killie equalised against the run of play through their captain, Greg Kiltie, who stole in at the back post to score from Erik Ring’s corner.
Saints retook the lead two minutes into the second half, Cheick Diabaté scoring with a downward header from a corner – but were pegged back again six minutes later. Toby Steward, on loan from Portsmouth, hesitated when coming for a cross and Joe Hugill looped the ball over him and into the net.
The visitors went ahead for the first time four minutes later, with Steward saving Nicky Clescenco’s shot, only for the ball to rebound in off the luckless Jason Holt. The St Johnstone manager, Simo Valakari, made a trio of attacking changes and substitute Louis Lloyd’s first touch deflected in off Michael Schjonning-Larsen.
It was another substitute who secured victory for the hosts, as Kai Fotheringham exchanged passes with Fowler, shifted the ball smartly to his right foot then fired low and hard past Max Stryjek with 10 minutes left to play.
after newsletter promotion
“That was a test of character,” said Valakari, whose side came up as Championship winners last term. “Would we be this team who plays nice football in the Premiership but concedes goals and loses?”
The Kilmarnock manager, Neil McCann, said: “We were really poor; we are much better than that. I don’t think we played enough good football to even merit being 3-2 up.”
The St Mirren manager, Craig McLeish, believes his team’s 2-0 win at Falkirk augurs well for a successful campaign.
McLeish is convinced his squad will improve on last season’s struggles before he steered Saints to safety when the interim head coach. He has set a high bar of the top six and a European qualification bid this term, and a double from Killian Phillips helped St Mirren get off to a fine start at Falkirk Stadium.
“I thought the performance was excellent and if we can build on that we can go and achieve something as a group,” McLeish said. “I’m delighted for the group. We got the result our performance deserved. I thought we were excellent.”
