Hearts confident ahead of Aberdeen game at Tynecastle

Come 3pm Saturday afternoon the Hearts players and coaching staff will be predicting, and indeed expecting a win on front of their home crowd at Tynecastle. Despite only winning one of their last five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games, the draw with Hibs at Easter Road last weekend seems to have buoyed the squad ahead of the clash with Aberdeen.

Aberdeen have struggled to find form so far this season and have failed to win a home game leaving them 10th in the league. However, the Dons have three away wins this season despite their inability to win at home and their impressive form on the road has not gone unnoticed by Hearts head coach Csaba Laszlo.

“They have only won away and for us this is dangerous” said the Tynecastle boss, “We lost the last home game against Kilmarnock. Now at home I would like to win the next game.’

Laszlo appears to have instilled an optimistic and progressive attitude in his players and it seems that it will only be a matter of time before this renewed spirit and vigour correlates to positive results on the pitch.

Sitting a solitary point behind Hibs, Hearts are acutely aware that this match provides them with a perfect opportunity to leapfrog their Edinburgh rivals as the Leith club face a tough away game to Celtic on Saturday afternoon. With Kilmarnock currently occupying third spot behind the Old Firm, Hearts know that a win this Saturday is necessary to maintain pressure on the Bairns.

The Jambos go into the game without their first choice goalkeeper Marian Kello, due to a head injury sustained in last week’s game against Hibs.Though, Laszlo is confident that Kello’s replacement, Janos Balogh, will perform well in what will be his first start for the club.

Balogh’s first-team opportunities limited have been limited this season, however his second half appearance last weekend saw him draw praise from his manager:

“He did a good a job for us, he is safe there and saved a Hibs goal in the last minute. His experience helped us. He will play against Aberdeen and this is a good opportunity for him.”

Hearts will also be without defenders Adrian Mrowiec and long term injury Robbie Neilson. Injuries to David Obua and Laryea Kingston leave the home side slightly lacking on midfield cover, however both players should be available for next weekend’s game against Celtic.

Aberdeen make the trip to the capital with only back-up keeper Bertrand Bossu definitely ruled out but Zander Diamond and Gary McDonald, both suffering from flu, are doubts.

Hearts: (from) Balogh, Jonsson, Berra, Zaliukas, Wallace, Stewart, Aguiar, Karipidis, Driver, Mole, Nade, MacDonald, Thomson, Mikoliunas, Cesnauskis, Rapnik, Palazuelos.
Aberdeen: (from) Langfield, Foster, Mair, Diamond, Considine, Duff, Aluko, Kerr, McDonald, Severin, Young, Miller, Jamie Smith, Mackie, Bateman, Hodgkiss, Mulgrew, Maguire.