Interim boss Barry Robson strengthened the argument to become permanent Aberdeen manager with a win that reignited the bid to finish third.
A dominant victory slashed the gap on third-placed Hearts to just four points.
Aberdeen also leapfrogged Hibs into fourth place in the Premiership following the Easter Road club’s 3-1 loss at Celtic.
Under Robson an Aberdeen team in crisis when he took over in late January have now secured four wins from five games.
Robson is delivering a compelling argument with each passing game to land the Pittodrie managerial role on a permanent basis.
Aberdeen destroyed Hearts with a devastating first-half display where a double from Duk and a Mattie Pollock header put them 3-0 up at the break.
This was revenge for a 5-0 humiliation inflicted by Hearts at Tannadice in January.
The difference between the team that blew away the Jambos under Robson and the one that crumbled in Edinburgh under Jim Goodwin is stark.
Under Robson Aberdeen outfought, outmanoeuvred and outplayed Hearts.
It was a major statement of intent from a revived Aberdeen in the fight to salvage a season with a third-place finish and European qualification.
This is the first time Aberdeen have won three consecutive league games since December 2021 under Stephen Glass.
At full-time Aberdeen supporters sang ‘there’s only one Barry Robson’.
In two months he has transformed the Dons from a team threatened with being dragged into a relegation dogfight into challenging for third spot.
Talking points
Barry Robson strengthens argument for permanent role
Interim boss Barry Robson has strengthened the argument to appoint him as permanent manager with a superb win to reignite the race to finish third.
Under Robson and assistant Steve Agnew the resurrected Reds have now won four of their last five games, with the only loss away to Premiership leaders Celtic.
For context Aberdeen secured just 13 points in the final 14 Premiership games of Jim Goodwin’s time as manager.
Robson has secured 12 points from five games.
Aberdeen’s search for a new manager is now into the seventh week following the sacking of Goodwin on January 28 following a 6-0 loss to Hibs.
The longer the delay in appointing a replacement to Goodwin the more Robson becomes a viable candidate for the role.
Robson inherited a squad with rock bottom confidence and in free-fall.
They had suffered heavy defeats to Hibs and Hearts (5-0) either side of a humiliating Scottish Cup exit to sixth tier Darvel.
Aberdeen were in crisis and Robson has delivered not just stability but a transformation in form that could salvage the troubled season.
Under Robson the Dons are a completely different proposition to the team that were in complete disarray in the final games under Goodwin.
The transformation masterminded by Robson has been huge.
In January Aberdeen were humiliated and outclassed 5-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle.
This time it was Hearts who were humbled as the Dons to a man delivered a fully committed and high quality performance.
Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows is overseeing the search for a new manager.
The Pittodrie hierarchy have whittled down a list of candidates to a shortlist.
After leading the Reds back into the race to finish third Robson’s name must surely be on that list.
Duk proves why English clubs are monitoring him
In-form striker Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes emphatically underlined why he is on the radar of a number of English clubs with another impressive shift.
A host of English clubs are monitoring the 23-year-old with the view to a potential summer swoop.
Duk netted a double with goals in the fifth and 21st minutes to take his tally to 15 in all competitions this season – with six assists.
He was denied a hat-trick when a vicious 22-yard drive in the 48th minute was tipped over the crossbar by keeper Zander Clark.
The striker’s performance against Hearts will likely increase the number of clubs watching him.
If Duk keeps this level up his value will also increase – although the Dons will be desperate to hold onto the talismanic striker who is contracted until summer 2025.
Quality players produce performances in big games.
An opportunity to reignite the bid to finish third in this clash was massive for the Dons and Duk delivered.
Duk’s performance was about so much more than his early double that left Hearts shell-shocked.
He was a constant threat and ran himself into the ground closing down Hearts.
Duk’s pace, aggression, skill and game intelligence to produce a moment of magic make him one of the best signings by any Premiership club this season.
Duk will now meet up with the Cape Verde international squad for a crunch African Cup of Nations group stage double header qualifier against Eswatini.
Cape Verde host Eswatini on March 24 before a return away four days later.
On this form who would back against him to score for Cape Verde?
𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗼 𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗔𝗡 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣
🗓 24 de Março
📍 Cidade da Praia
🏟 Nacional
🕒 15h00
⚽️ 🇨🇻 🆚️ 🇸🇿🗓 28 de Março
📍 África do Sul
🏟 Nelspruit Mbombela
🕒 12h00 (15h00 em 🇨🇻)
⚽️ 🇸🇿 🆚️ 🇨🇻#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2024 #TotalEnergiesAFCON #CaboVerde #Eswatini #TubarõesAzuis pic.twitter.com/9F00lt28H3— Federação Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica) March 16, 2023
The importance of loan defender Mattie Pollock
Loan defender Mattie Pollock has been a fundamental factor in the resurgence of form under interim manager Barry Robson.
Secured on loan from Championship Watford late in the January transfer window Pollock quickly forged a strong centre-back partnership with Angus MacDonald.
The Pollock-MacDonald partnership have brought a stability and calmness to a defence that was fragile before their arrival.
Pollock impressed in a back four and delivered another strong shift when Robson went with a back three against Hearts.
Not only did he keep it rock solid with key tackles, headers and interceptions Pollock also posed a threat in attack.
Pollock delivered a magnificent cross from the right flank to find Duk who headed home for his second goal in the 21st minute.
It was a pinpoint, accurate cross that a winger would be proud of.
Pollock, on loan until the end of the season, then also netted his first goal for the Dons with a brave diving header to make it 3-0.
He was denied a further goal when keeper Zander Clark saved his shot.
Pollock is contracted to Watford until summer 2026 so he will go back to his parent club at the end of the season to fight for a first team slot.
If he continues this form he will leave having made a major impact at Pittodrie.
Talking tactics
Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson switched from his previous 4-3-3 formation to go with 3-5-2 against Hearts.
Centre-back Liam Scales returned to the starting line-up and slotted in at the left of a back three alongside Mattie Pollock and Angus MacDonald.
Jonny Hayes also returned to the staring XI and operated as left-wing back with Ross McCrorie right wing-back.
The wing-backs added width to the Reds and also effectively transformed to a five man wall at the back when Hearts were in possession and pushing forward.
Keeper Kelle Roos returned to the starting line-up after eight weeks out due to a thigh injury.
Fellow Dutch keeper Jay Gorter, on loan from Ajax was ruled out due to illness.
Referee watch
David Dickinson: There was a flashpoint in the second half when the game threatened to boil over following a challenge on Duk.
Dickinson managed to keep control and handed yellow cards to Ylber Ramadani, Bojan Miovski, James Hill and Tony Sibbock during that flare-up.
Player ratings
ABERDEEN (3-5-2): Roos 7; MacDonald 8, Pollock 8, Scales 7; McCrorie 8, Ramadani 7, Clarkson 8 (Myslovic 84), Shinnie 8, Hayes 5 (Coulson 39); Miovski 6 (Watkins 70), Duk 8 (Duncan 84)
Subs not used: Lewis, MacKenzie, Barron, Markanday, Richardson.
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN (3-4-3): Clark 7; Hill 5, Sibbick 5 (Grant 75), Rowles 5; Smith 5, Kiomourtzoglou 4 (Forrest 46), Snodgrass 6, Cochrane 3 (Cochrane 34); Shankland 5, Ginnelly 5 (Humphrys 75), McKay 5
Subs not used: Stewart, Devlin, Halliday, Neilson, Kuol.
Attendance: 16,278
Star man
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen): Captain Shinnie led by example with a superb performance.
He ran himself into the ground and powered into tackles, never giving Hearts any time to settle.
Aberdeen were bullied 5-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle in January.
From the outset Shinnie ensured there would never be a repeat.
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