Source: Team_Talk
Skipper's return crucial for Hearts
Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas came in from the cold to face Aberdeen in his side's 1-0 SPL win at Pittodrie on Saturday.[LNB] Jambos boss Jim Jefferies is hopeful the contractual issues that have kept the Lithuanian out of his plans will soon be resolved.[LNB]Kevin Kyle headed the only goal of the game for Hearts as they won out in a physical affair in the north east.[LNB]The former Falkirk and Kilmarnock boss admitted the situation with his captain was still not settled, but was hopeful of a positive resolution this week[LNB]"It's not done and dusted," he added.[LNB]"There's been a lot of progress and verbally I think we're almost there but we still have to cross the t's and dot the i's.[LNB]"I said the green light would always be when he was close to agreeing a deal. He's a Kaunas player and we've been trying to make him a Hearts player long term, but that's just the way it works there."[LNB]Jefferies added: "Aberdeen brought back a few players after their last result and there were one or two they said wouldn't be back in time but were pushed forward, so we knew it was a big game for them.[LNB]"I thought there was very little in it in the first half but if anybody controlled it a bit more, we did. We got the goal early in the second half and were unlucky not to go on and get two or three."[LNB]After watching his side secure a clean sheet, Jefferies continued: "What pleased me most was a good solid team performance. We looked a decent side all round and there was no doubt about Marius coming back in.[LNB]"It was great to get a clean sheet. We've been struggling a wee bit at the back with Lee Wallace and Marius out. We had to change it a wee bit last time to play three at the back and people probably expected us to play that again after a good performance."[LNB]Dons boss Mark McGhee refused to criticise his team, and pointed to a single error that allowed Kyle to bag the winner.[LNB]"I'm disappointed but I thought it would be a game where one goal decided it," said McGhee. "They got it and I can't argue with that.[LNB]"It was a poor goal to lose from our point of view - a simple cross, Zander [Diamond] got caught underneath it and it ends up in the back of the net. It was disappointing we allowed the cross to come in and didn't deal with it.[LNB]"Kevin Kyle is a big presence and he's difficult to defend against. In general I thought we defended really well. The first free header he got was the goal so I'm disappointed with that but generally I thought we competed really well."[LNB]The Dons boss was able to call upon captain Paul Hartley, winger Sone Aluko and striker Andrius Velicka, the latter making his debut having regained fitness after his deadline day loan move from Rangers.[LNB]McGhee continued: "I was really excited before the game about having the boys back from injury, and having Andrius Velicka available."[LNB]McGhee saw assistant Scott Leitch sent to the stand late on after substitute Ryan Fraser became the seventh player to go into referee Mike Tumilty's book, but admits to not knowing why.[LNB]"Scott Leitch deserves to get sent off every week - except this week! It's the quietest I've heard him, the least animated I've seen him, and suddenly he's getting sent to the stand.[LNB]"There was a good rapport between the two benches, and I thought a good rapport with the fourth official as well.[LNB]"He must have heard something he's taken exception to, but I've no idea what that was."
