Former Hearts boss gives stunned reaction to 'crazy' Aberdeen vs Jambos incident live on-air

Craig Levein has been left aghast over a sending off for Hearts that proved detrimental in their 3-2 defeat against Aberdeen.

Coming into the Premiership match less than 72 hours out from a big 2-1 win in the Conference League away in Azerbaijan vs Dinamo Minsk, the Jambos turned in an impressive performance under interim boss Liam Fox. They got off to the worst possible start though with Topi Keskinen netting inside two minutes for the Dons.

Frankie Kent got Hearts level and Blair Spittal put them ahead after half-time. Nicky Devlin hit an almost-instant leveller though and the game turned fully on Jorge Grant’s second booking for a foul on Duk when already treading the yellow card tightrope. Ante Palaversa then scored two minutes from time to ensure Aberdeen remain on seven wins from seven league games.

Hearts meanwhile have lost six of their opening eight Premiership matches, drawing twice. There were positives in the performance but also head in hands moments, namely a huge chance passed up by Kenneth Vargas with the game at 1-1 and then Grant’s sending off. It was the latter that left ex-Hearts manager Levein shocked live on air while doing co-commentary for BBC Sportsound.

Levein fumed live on-air: “How stupid was that? He must know he is on a yellow card, surely? He’s just deliberately come in from behind him and brought him down. That is absolutely crazy. Grant didn’t need to go in for the challenge, didn’t need to go in for the challenge, it’s crazy.”

The former boss and player added on the game overall: “There are two things I go back to. Vargas’ chance and Jorge Grant’s sending off. For me, Hearts were responsible for their own downfall in this match. They have played brilliantly and it is the best I have seen them play for a while. But a real sore one.

“Things didn’t go all Aberdeen’s way, Hearts played well, scored at critical moments. If there was a lot of self-doubt in the Aberdeen team they wouldn’t have come back so they are on the crest of a wave at the moment. Vargas should really score and I don’t know what Jorge Grant is thinking about. These were two hugely critical moments in the match.”