Jimmy Thelin pointed to first half errors in particular as the cause of Aberdeen’s opening day defeat at Tynecastle.

“We had an idea how we were going to take on the game today in the first half with the ball and we didn’t succeed. Hearts were better, they put good pressure on us, they win these second balls and create momentum with the crosses. They were better in this in the first half and also in the 50-50 situations around and inside the box.

“In the second half we got better with the ball and started creating some chances and situations in their box, but we were not really clinical today and they were also first on the rebounds. Then they score the second goal and it was difficult to try to find a way back into the game to give us a chance to get a point but they were good in how they defended the box. For us, we need to take a step as a team and grow in the future.

“We know what we could expect from this game today. We have seen them play. They are a good team with a good manager. We have some good chances there but they were better in this moment and that’s why they win the game.

“It’s the first game of the season for us, of course you want to try to get a point or more in the first game away but it’s a long season, we know that. We have to take it game by game, keep growing and try to be better all the time so we can get the results.”