Mcghee glee as Hearts earn bonus points
HEARTS’ attempts to pull- off the great escape continued as they fought back with 10 men to clinch an valuable three points.
And the dramatic victory over Aberdeen at Tynecastle has reduced the deficit at the foot of the table to just nine points.
Gar y Locke’s young side continue to defy all the odds as a late goal from substitute Jordan McGhee handed them their second victory in the opening four games of the campaign.
The winning goal also sparked a touchline bust-up between Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes and Hearts assistant boss Billy Brown which they were both sent to the stand for by referee Alan Muir after being separated by police.
It was a huge victory for the Tynecastle side to take them to minus eight points as they waste no time in eating into the 15-point penalty imposed for going into administration.
As the club appears to edge closer to safety off the pitch, with the Foundation of Hearts securing preferred bidder status, the players are more than doing their bit as they recorded a huge victory.
Aberdeen arrived at Tynecastle having won only three of their previous 25 encounters away to Hearts and losing their previous four without even registering a goal.
That drought should have come to an end after just four minutes when Scott Vernon was sent clear but his first touch was poor and his final effort was weak.
Vernon once again looked sluggish with another chance to race through on goal but it was the home side who took the lead after 18 minutes as Walker netted his second goal in as many games.
The youngster received the ball wide on the left and ran straight at Dons full-back Joe Shaughnessy before stepping inside and slotting the ball past stand- in keeper Nicky Weaver.
Vernon missed a third chance to score before the interval when he once again found himself clear, but he shot wide. The game suddenly exploded into life in the 66th minute when referee Muir pointed to the penalty spot as Kevin McHattie made a desperate attempt to stop Zola as he managed to get in behind the defence.
The full-back was shown a red card before Niall McGinn stepped up to convert as the balance of power shifted in favour of the visitors. And Aberdeen should have had a second spot-kick in the 64th minute when Peter Pawlett was fouled by Walker.
But, amazingly, whistler Muir instead booked the midfielder for diving.
It certainly looked more of a shout than the first award but, as Hearts looked to have held out for a draw, they snatched a late winner with just three minutes left, Aberdeen keeper Weaver missed Callum Tapping’s lofted cross and McGhee headed into the back of the net to spark scenes of celebration around Tynecastle.
The drama wasn’t over then as Aberdeen had yet another strong penalty claim at the death as Zola was hauled down by Paterson, as Hearts held on to move just nine points behind St Mirren.