Dec 12, 2015 at 12.30pm UK at ​Pittodrie Stadium
Aberdeen
1-0
Hearts
Rooney (87' pen.)
Flood (74'), Hayes (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Pallardo (28'), Nicholson (51'), Augustyn (64'), McGhee (74')

Robbie Neilson: 'Jordan McGhee will learn from Aberdeen mistake'

Jordan McGhee of Hearts controls the ball during Petrofac Training Cup second round match between Livingston and Hearts at Almondvale Stadium on August 20, 2014
© Getty Images
Robbie Neilson says that he accepts Jordan McGhee's crucial mistake during Hearts' 1-0 loss to Aberdeen.

Robbie Neilson has said that Jordan McGhee will bounce back after making a crucial mistake during Hearts' 1-0 loss against Aberdeen.

The defender handled the ball to give away a late penalty in the Scottish Premiership match which Adam Rooney despatched to earn the Dons all three points.

"We're disappointed not to get anything out of the game. In the second half we played really well and had the better chances. We should have scored at least one," Neilson told Sky Sports News.

"We give young players opportunities and if you do that with a 19-year-old kid coming into a huge game then we have to accept that he'll make mistakes. I'm disappointed for him but these things happen in football.

"Everyone spoke to him and said just to get on with it. It's easy to put a 28, 29, 30 year old in there and get no mistakes but we're trying to develop players so we have to accept we'll make mistakes. It's an honest mistake and I'm sure he'll learn from it."

McGhee made his debut for Hearts in 2013 at the age of 16.

Adam Rooney of Aberdeen FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League third round qualifying first leg match between Real Sociedad and Aberdeen FC at Estadio Anoeta on July 31, 2014
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic35248382275580
2Aberdeen35225860402071
3Hearts35179955371860
4St Johnstone35147145251149
5Motherwell35145164353-1047
6Ross County35135174957-844
7Dundee351114105251147
8Inverness Caledonian ThistleInverness361210144948146
9Partick Thistle35118163445-1141
10Hamilton AcademicalHamilton35109163960-2139
11Kilmarnock3598183857-1935
RDundee UnitedDundee Utd3676233865-2727