MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 01:33:13| >> :600:120365:120365:
[monks data]
Attendance: 16,410
Aberdeen logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 1
Aug 4, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Hearts logo

3-2

Cosgrove (13', 80' pen.), Hedges (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Naismith (68'), Walker (76')
Hickey (79')

Levein backs Hearts to rediscover killer touch ahead of Premiership opener

Levein backs Hearts to rediscover killer touch ahead of Premiership opener
© Reuters
Hearts have not been shy in getting forward in their first two Betfred Cup clashes.

Craig Levein expects Hearts to rediscover their killer touch in time for their opening Ladbrokes Premiership duel with Aberdeen.

The Jambos, who kick off their league campaign away to the Dons a week on Sunday, have not been shy in getting forward in their first two Betfred Cup clashes.

But despite creating plenty of openings against Dundee United and Cowdenbeath, they have found the net just three times.

Levein, though, is confident his side will have sharpened up in front of goal by the time they face Derek McInnes' team at Pittodrie.

The Hearts boss – whose side welcome Stenhousemuir to Tynecastle for their penultimate Group A clash on Wednesday night – said: "We've been good. We've played well in both matches in fairly long spells.

"We've created an awful lot of chances – we haven't taken as many as we would like, of course, but that's something we can work on in training.

"It's a very short time between coming back and playing our first competitive match but I've been relatively happy with the way things have gone so far."

Levein is hopeful Steven Naismith will be back fit and able to finally make last season's loan switch from Norwich into a permanent arrangement before the Aberdeen clash.

But Peter Haring appears to be in for a further two-month wait before he can return from a niggling pelvic problem.

Conor Washington and Harry Cochrane could also sit out the Stenny showdown, although Levein is not overly concerned.

"Conor's back's a bit tight, so is Harry's," he explained. "That's why they weren't involved at the weekend – it's not a major problem – and I don't know if either of them will be fit to play on Wednesday.

"But I'm sure if they don't play on Wednesday they will be fit to play at the weekend."

ID:365815: cacheID:365815:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3104:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Greg Stewart in action for Aberdeen on May 13, 2018
Read Next:
Aberdeen boss McInnes hails goalscorer Stewart
>
Read more about Craig Levein Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Hibernian173682129-815
9Ross County173681333-2015
10St Johnstone1742112032-1214
11Kilmarnock163581734-1714
12Hearts163491825-713


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!