What a difference a year makes as Aberdeen get the better of Hearts - but what comes next for these two sides?

Nisbet takes the acclaim of his Aberdeen team-mates after sealing a dramatic win over Hearts Twelve months ago, Hearts came off a 100% record in the League Cup group stage to secure a home win over Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen, who had already sustained an early season European defeat. On Saturday, Aberdeen were the home side, fresh from four straight League Cup wins and Premiership runners-up Hearts were smarting after a heavy aggregate Champions League qualifying loss to Sturm Graz. Would it be the home side that prevailed again to set up a strong domestic charge? Yes, eventually - and, well it's too early to say. Hearts' challenge last term was led by a Scotland international forward in Lawrence Shankland, now skippering Rangers. Aberdeen are now captained by Kevin Nisbet and it was he who settled a dramatic evening at Pittodrie. Despite some early flurries from the Dons, Hearts seemed to be dealing calmly and confidently with their opponents and moved ahead through Oisin McEntee's close-range strike. New players like Amadou Ba-Sy and Lauren Mendy integrated fairly seamlessly with experienced heads like captain-for-the-night Harry Milne and Blair Spittal. And there were chances for a second goal, with the final ball or shot often just the wrong choice. All seemed well - until the 90th minute. Head coach Wouter Vrancken had urged his players to be more clinical in both boxes after 4-0 and 2-0 defeats by Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. They had partially addressed that with their goal but were undone defensively.