what the managers said
The home side had the better of the game but fell behind to Ryan Stevenson’s header, before Jamie Hamill’s own-goal ensured a share of the points.
Aberdeen’s dominance was particularly pleasing for McInnes, who said: “I’m delighted with so much of the performance. The critical part of it comes from passing up so many opportunities.
“I thought Jamie MacDonald pulled off a lot of saves, and good saves at that, but a lot of the opportunities we had were at a good height for him.
“I couldn’t ask for much more from the players. It was difficult for the likes of Gavin Rae and Isaac Osbourne who are moving on. You would never have known it from the way they played. They were determined and put in a good performance.”
Despite being dominant for large spells of the game, particularly in the first half, Aberdeen fell behind to Stevenson’s header but McInnes was pleased with the way his side stuck to their task.
“I was delighted with the response to falling behind,” he continued. “It would have been easy to say it wasn’t going to be our day and feel sorry for ourselves.
“It certainly didn’t feel like an end of season game. Both sets of supporters were excellent. There was good solidarity from the Hearts support but there was a big support from Aberdeen getting behind the team, and I think they recognised the effort the lads put in.”
Hearts boss Gary Locke was pleased with the way his players bounced back from their last-minute Edinburgh derby defeat to Hibernian last Sunday.
He said: “It was a battling performance which I was really pleased about. The effort and commitment from the players was there for all to see which I felt was something that was missing last week.
“It’s always difficult up here, and Jamie MacDonald has had to make two or three really good saves, which you would expect him to do at places like this, and I’m delighted with a battling 1-1 draw.”
With questions remaining over whether Hearts will still be playing SPL football next season after their parent company was ruled insolvent, Locke was keen to play down the politics that surround the club.
“It’s been a difficult week, but we’re paid to concentrate on the football side of things. I’m just pleased we got a positive result for the travelling support,” he added.
“It’s out of our hands what the SPL do. That sort of thing doesn’t concern me. The season is finished now and I’m glad to see the back of it to be honest, and hopefully we can now build for next season.
“I’m building the squad towards us being in the SPL next season, and until anyone tells me different that’s how we’ll continue. I’ll be working hard with John Murray in the next couple of weeks to rebuild for next season; that’s all I can do.”
“I’m building the squad towards us being in the SPL next season, and until anyone tells me different that’s how we’ll continue. I’ll be working hard with John Murray in the next couple of weeks to rebuild for next season; that’s all I can do.”
“I’m building the squad towards us being in the SPL next season, and until anyone tells me different that’s how we’ll continue. I’ll be working hard with John Murray in the next couple of weeks to rebuild for next season; that’s all I can do.”
