ANY neutral observer leaving Pittodrie on Saturday evening would, even though it was just the second Ladbrokes Premiership match of the season that both Aberdeen and Hearts had been involved in, have been of the same view.
Namely, that neither of the combatants would, despite finishing second and third respectively in the top flight the season before, be able to vie for the Scottish title this term or even, for that matter, finish as runners-up.
Aberdeen have launched viable challenges to Celtic’s domestic dominance in the absence of Rangers in the last two seasons. Hearts impressed greatly after returning to the elite division last term and deservedly finished up in third place and qualified for the Europa League.
There has been much conjecture in the build-up to the 2016/17 campaign about whether Aberdeen and Hearts will be able to clinch the runners-up spot or even contend for silverware. That, for many people, ended at the weekend.
Derek McInnes’s team were devoid of creativity going forward. The best three scoring chances they created in the course of the 90 minutes all came from crosses from the right wing and amounted to nothing, It did not augur well for the remainder of the season.
Robbie Neilson’s side, meanwhile, competed ferociously. But their best, possibly only, clear cut opportunity to win the game came with three minutes of regulation time remaining and Tony Watt snatched his shot high over the crossbar and into the stand.
Mark Warburton will hardly have been quaking at the prospect of facing either of them as he watched a video replay of their uninspiring encounter.
McInnes, though, felt the run of matches his charges had been forced to play – it was their fourth competitive fixture in nine days and their first at home this month – as well as the absences of Andrew Considine and Jonny Hayes had been responsible for what was a stagnant display.
If Graeme Shinnie, who was, along with Niall McGinn and Anthony O’Connor, one of his better performers, was flat then McInnes knew that all was not well. He anticipates a stark improvement when his weary players have had the opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Shinnie felt the draw Aberdeen ground out and the point they earned was, given the circumstances the game was played in, a fair return for their efforts. He believes it would be wrong to read too much into their weekend showing and is optimistic his side will pose far more of a threat going forward in the months to come.
“It was a tough game with chances few and far between,” he said. “We got in good areas but our final ball maybe let us down. Overall after the week we have had, the fitness, grit and determination was there.
“I think everyone knows that if you have four games in nine days it is going to take a toll on the last game. The travelling we have done is incredible. But that’s football. We love the games coming thick and fast.
“I think the last 20 minutes were always going to be like that. Our fitness showed though in the end as we didn’t concede and we got another clean sheet. That is the positive we will take from it. We were the better team and we were just waiting for a chance to come. We know chances and goals will come eventually with the players we have.”
Shinnie, though, did concede that Aberdeen, who fielded Jayden Stockley, Adam Rooney and Miles Storey up front to no avail, will have to start being far more creative and clinical in the final third if they are to feature as prominently in the Premiership this term as they have in the recent past.
“When you are on top you have to make the most of it,” he said. “You do that by getting goals. We will work hard in training and we have a week to prepare now. We have not had a chance to work on it on the training ground. It has been the case of recovering from a game and going again. We will work hard this week. We know chances and goals will come. Getting a clean sheet is just as important.”
For all the possession that Aberdeen enjoyed, they were unable to find a way through a resolute and well-organised Hearts defence. Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton calmly plucked a succession of high balls into his area out of the air before clearing to safety.
Having conceded three goals in a Betfred Cup defeat to St. Johnstone in Perth in midweek, the clean sheet the capital club kept at Pittodrie was most welcome. John Souttar, the centre half who enjoyed a fine afternoon, was pleased he had helped to atone for their previous result.
“It was a big test of character so to come away with a point was good,” said Souttar. “It wasn’t the nicest of games, football-wise, but that is when you need to dig in. I thought we were very poor. I was very poor. “I hold my hands up to that. I wasn’t aggressive enough and the gaffer told me that. But on Saturday I thought we defended well. He has put a lot of faith in playing me and hopefully that repaid him.”
Watt failed to score for the third time in six days. But the former Celtic striker’s quality was obvious throughout. He looked capable of producing something whenever he got on the ball. As his match fitness and sharpness improves with appearances goals will undoubtedly come. He promises to be a key player for Hearts in attack in the season ahead. Goodness knows they need somebody who can make a difference for them there.
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