Scottish Premiership frontrunners Hearts have been compelled to abandon their scheduled warm-weather training expedition to Dubai as hostilities intensify across the Middle East region. The Tynecastle club, which extended its lead at the summit to seven points following a narrow 1-0 home victory over Aberdeen on Sunday, had intended to depart for Dubai on Monday to fine-tune preparations for the season's climax.
Security Concerns Force Sudden Cancellation
However, with the United Arab Emirates metropolis among several locations experiencing explosions on Sunday as part of Iran's retaliatory measures against US and Israeli strikes on Tehran, coupled with the UAE's decision to close its airspace while contemplating its "full right to respond," Hearts officials promptly shelved their arrangements. The escalating geopolitical situation rendered the training camp impractical and potentially hazardous.
Manager McInnes Adapts Plans
Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who hosted legendary former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as a VIP spectator during the Aberdeen triumph, confirmed the club would revert to standard training routines at their Riccarton facility. The team will utilize the forthcoming two-week break before their next competitive fixture without traveling abroad.
"I don't think we'll be going away," McInnes stated. "I think there's more important things going on. That's fine. It is disappointing, obviously, because we spoke of the benefits of it, but we might push it down the line, because there's going to be opportunities, I think, between now and the end of the season. We'll just train as normal in Edinburgh."
Important Victory Extends League Lead
Hearts secured their crucial victory against Aberdeen courtesy of Claudio Braga's 28th-minute strike, establishing a seven-point cushion over second-placed Rangers, albeit having played one additional match. This result marked a welcome resurgence for McInnes' squad, which had recently appeared burdened by mounting pressure amid a spate of debilitating injuries.
The Gorgie manager believed his team thoroughly merited their three points. "It felt like a big game, I think the fans made it that, and the situation in terms of the context of the league made it that," McInnes reflected. He also disclosed that midfielder Eduardo Ageu would undergo thigh surgery on Tuesday.
"It looks like a tight scoreline but I thought it was exactly the type of performance we needed it to be. We had more crosses in today's game than we've had for a long time. It was the type of performance I was hoping for. In an ideal world, you would want a second goal to enjoy that last part, but it was a good three points, no more than we deserved."
Ferguson's Presence and Post-Match Controversies
Regarding Sir Alex Ferguson's attendance, McInnes noted: "He sat in the office for about an hour before the game. He got here early and I'll catch up with him when I finish with you guys. It was nice for him to see Tynecastle the way it was and see a winning performance. He's watched us a lot this season and he's quite tuned in to what we're doing, so I'm grateful that he's made the effort to come and see us today."
Aberdeen's interim manager Peter Leven expressed frustration over a second-half penalty incident, arguing that Michael Steinwender's challenge on substitute Stuart Armstrong warranted a spot-kick. Leven drew parallels with defender Liam Morrison's red card in the previous weekend's match against Dundee.
"We had a player sent off last week when Tony Yogane cut across Liam Morrison and, for me, it was similar," Leven asserted. "I have watched it back. Stuart Armstrong gets across him and it is not shoulder to shoulder. He actually leans into the back of him with a knee as well, so I don't know why it is not a penalty. I didn't speak to the fourth official as he was giving me absolutely nothing, but VAR should have looked at it."
Post-Match Altercation Addressed
McInnes downplayed accusations that he pushed Aberdeen midfielder Dennis Geiger at full-time, though he admitted to apprehension immediately after the incident. "I'm not going to lie, aye," the Hearts boss confessed. "You're never really sure with these things. I haven't seen it back again, so I don't know. I know Peter thought there was a handball for a penalty. I didn't see it that way, but we agree to disagree on that."
On the confrontation with Geiger, which provoked an angry reaction from the German player, McInnes added: "He shook hands there, he's fine. It wasn't me that pushed him, so we're fine. He wasn't happy, but I don't know. No issues there."
Leven, however, maintained that Geiger remained convinced McInnes was responsible. "He said McInnes kind of nudged him in the back when he walked past him. I will need to watch that back," Leven explained. "I asked Derek the question: 'Why is my player saying you nudged him in the back?'. He said: 'No, I never', so I said okay."
