Hearts started the 2025/26 William Hill Premiership season with a bang after defeating Aberdeen 2-0 in a pulsating opening day encounter at Tynecastle Park.
An early own-goal from Graeme Shinnie had the Jambos on their way, before Lawrence Shankland was a denied a spectacular second in the closing stages of the first half due to offside.
Amidst an electric atmosphere, Stuart Findlay nodded home the eventual winning goal in the second 45, as the Jambos outclassed Aberdeen in an entertaining contest.
Derek McInnes set his stall with 3-5-2 formation; Zander Clark between the posts with a back three of Halkett, Findlay, and Kent in front of him - Christian Borchgrevink and Harry Milne on the flanks. Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland led the line up top, with Blair Spittal in support, whilst Cammy Devlin and Oisin McEntee anchored the midfield.
In a fiery beginning to proceedings, backed by an absolute cauldron of an atmosphere at Tynecastle, the Jambos raced into the lead almost bang on the ten minute mark in superb circumstances.
Claudio Braga did well to skin his marker and whip the ball across goal. Oisin McEntee met it with a fantastic header that prompted an excellent save from Dimitar Mitov. Back into play and Cammy Devlin's powerful daisy cutter was kept alive by Harry Milne - with Dons skipper Graeme Shinnie turning it into his own net.
Three minutes later, and a rampant Hearts almost had their second, Harry Milne saw a rasping effort from 20-yards clip the crossbar, with a packed Tynie roaring for more as the Jambos pushed forwards.
The Dons weren't backing down either, and a well worked move down the right saw the ball threaded across to Kusini Yengi - who used his knee to clip the ball off the post in a let-off for Hearts.
In a physical display, the next clear cut chance for Hearts arrived just before the half-hour mark. Stuart Findlay swept a fine cross into a packed goalmouth on his left foot, with Frankie Kent nodding agonizingly wide as the men in maroon searched for a second.
There was some added drama right before half-time, as Hearts thought they had their second. Picking up the ball 25-yards from goal, Lawrence Shankland curled a sublime strike into the top corner to send Gorgie into raptures.
After a lengthy VAR check, Nick Walsh chopped it for offside after Frankie Kent had strayed ahead of play in the build up. Both Claudio Braga and Harry Milne went close in the final stages, but had to settle for a one-goa lead going into the break.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 1-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen missed a sitter almost right out the gates of the second half. Leighton Clarkson's floated free-kick into the box was met by Kusini Yengi, who somehow managed to poke it past the post.
58 minutes saw a bit of pinball in the Aberdeen box as Hearts probed for an opening; the move eventually culminating in Oisin McEntee crossing into the path of Harry Mline - with the defender's header high and wide.
There was a bit of a wait as a war of attrition played out, but the Jambos got a well deserved second after 74 minutes.
Harry Milne's free-kick from distance was arrowed into the box as Aberdeen failed to clear it. Stuart Findlay led the charge forward, and nodded the ball over the head of a flapping Dimitar Mitov to make it 2-0. After another lengthy VAR consultation, the goal stood.
There was even time for a cameo from the bench in added time for new recruit Tomas Magnusson, coming off to play the final three minutes as Hearts cruised to the finish line with two goals, a clean sheet, and all three points.
Hearts: Clark, Kent (Steinwender 70'), Halkett, Shankland (Magnusson 90'), Braga (Wilson 70'), Borchgrevink (Forrest 70'), Devlin, Spittal (Kyziridis 70'), Milne, Findlay, McEntee
Subs: Fulton, Kingsley, Kabangu, Steinwender, Forrest, Wilson, Magnusson, Kartum, Kyziridis
Aberdeen: Mitov, Shinnie (Devlin 80'), Knoester, Nilsen (Morris 69'), Aouchiche, Yengi (Polvara 62'), Clarkson, Milanovic (Sokler 80'), Milne, Jensen, Keskinen (Boyd 62')
Subs: Suman, Devlin, Polvara, Boyd, Palaversa, Sokler, Morris, Dorrington, Kjartansson
Attendance: 18,677
Hearts Debut: Tomas Magnusson
