When Aberdeen Football Club beat Heart of Midlothian Football Club 1-0 at Pittodrie Stadium on November 23, 2025, it wasn’t just a win—it was a seismic shift in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership title race. The goal came from Topi Keskinen, a Finnish midfielder whose curling strike just before halftime shattered Hearts’ perfect record and handed Celtic a lifeline. And it wasn’t luck. It was grit, discipline, and a goalkeeping masterclass from Dimitar Mitov, who turned away six clear chances like a man guarding a fortress.
Hearts’ Perfect Run Comes Crashing Down
Before kick-off, Heart of Midlothian sat atop the table with 30 points from 12 games—nine wins, three draws, zero losses. Their +19 goal difference was the best in the league. They’d won their last five matches by an aggregate score of 13-2. The narrative was simple: Hearts were on a collision course with the title, and Celtic, their closest rivals with 26 points, were fading.
Then came Pittodrie. A wet, wind-swept afternoon. A home crowd roaring like a storm. And a team ranked eighth—Aberdeen—with just 11 points and a -4 goal difference—refusing to back down. The visitors didn’t just defend. They attacked with purpose. When Keskinen lashed home his goal in the 39th minute, the stadium erupted. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement. Hearts hadn’t lost since August.
The Mitov Miracle
Let’s talk about Dimitar Mitov. The Bulgarian goalkeeper, barely 25, made seven saves that would’ve been goals against any other side. A close-range header from Tomas Magnusson in the 67th minute? Blocked. A one-on-one break by Pierre Landry Kabore in the 78th? Parried. A penalty-box scramble after a corner in the 82nd? Saved again. He didn’t just keep a clean sheet—he kept Hearts’ title hopes alive in the first half, then crushed them in the second.
And it wasn’t just Mitov. The backline—led by Mats Knoester, who was booked twice but never flinched—held firm. When Harry Milne rattled the crossbar with a header, it felt like fate was siding with Aberdeen. The visitors threw everything forward in stoppage time. Four corners. Three shots from inside the box. All stopped. The final whistle didn’t just end the match—it ended Hearts’ aura of invincibility.
Aberdeen’s Quiet Resurgence
For years, Aberdeen have been the forgotten club in Scottish football—caught between the dominance of Rangers and Celtic, and the rise of teams like Hearts and Rangers’ younger squad. But since mid-October, something’s changed. They’ve taken 10 points from their last five games. That’s not a fluke. That’s momentum.
Without star winger Jesper Karlsson due to personal reasons, manager Barry Robson reshuffled. He trusted youth—Topi Keskinen, a loanee from FC Lahti, scored his first Premiership goal. Dante Polvara, the 23-year-old playmaker, controlled the tempo. Even the substitutes—Greg Shinnie, John Wilson—brought grit.
It’s not just about this win. It’s about belief. Aberdeen hadn’t beaten the league leaders since 2019. Now they’ve done it with a squad that barely cost £2 million in total transfers. That’s football poetry.
What This Means for the Title Race
Before this match, Hearts led Celtic by six points. A win here would’ve stretched it to seven—almost insurmountable with only 18 games left. Now? It’s back to three. Celtic, who beat Dundee United 2-0 the same day, have a game in hand. And with Hearts having won just one of their last four matches, the cracks are showing.
“They looked tired,” said Sky Sports analyst Craig Burley post-match. “Not physically—mentally. They’ve been on autopilot since September. Aberdeen made them feel like they were playing a real game again.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s climb from 10th to 8th place might seem modest. But in a league where four points separate third from eighth, this win could be the spark that reignites their European hopes. They’re now just four points off sixth place—and with two games in hand over teams above them, the top six is still very much alive.
Behind the Scenes: The Human Story
What you don’t see on the highlights? The 72-year-old Aberdeen fan who’s been coming to Pittodrie since 1968, crying after the final whistle. The 14-year-old boy in the stands wearing a Keskinen jersey he bought online last week. The Hearts players who stood in a huddle at the final whistle, heads down, not angry—just stunned.
Football isn’t always about money or fame. Sometimes, it’s about one moment. One goal. One goalkeeper who refused to let the dream die. For Aberdeen, this was more than a win. It was a return to relevance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Topi Keskinen’s goal change the dynamics of the Scottish Premiership?
Keskinen’s 39th-minute strike ended Hearts’ 12-game unbeaten run and cut their lead over Celtic from six to three points. With Celtic having a game in hand, the title race is now wide open. Hearts’ form has dipped—just one win in four matches—while Aberdeen’s resurgence gives them belief they can challenge for Europe. This goal wasn’t just a goal; it reset the entire season’s narrative.
Why is Dimitar Mitov’s performance considered historic?
Mitov made seven saves against a Hearts side that had scored 30 goals in 12 games. His stoppage-time denial of Kabore’s one-on-one and his reaction save on Magnusson’s header were among the best seen in the Premiership this season. He became the first Aberdeen keeper to keep a clean sheet against league leaders since 2018—and the first to do so with a -4 goal difference at the time of the match.
What impact does this result have on Celtic’s title chances?
Celtic now trail Hearts by just three points, with a game in hand. A win in their next match against Kilmarnock would cut the gap to zero. With Hearts showing signs of fatigue and Aberdeen gaining confidence, Celtic’s path to the title just got significantly easier. They’re no longer chasing a distant dream—they’re in the thick of it.
Can Aberdeen still make a push for European qualification?
Absolutely. Aberdeen are now just four points behind sixth-placed St. Johnstone, who have played 12 games. With two games in hand and a growing belief in the squad, they’re within striking distance. If they win their next three matches—including a home game against Rangers—they could leap into fifth and qualify for the Europa Conference League playoff round.
What does this defeat mean for Hearts’ managerial future?
Hearts’ manager, Robbie Neilson, has been under pressure since October. This loss—especially after dominating possession and failing to convert—has intensified scrutiny. With only three wins in their last seven games, fans are asking if the squad lacks mental toughness. A win against St. Mirren next week could ease the heat—but another slip could spark calls for change before January.
How significant is Pittodrie Stadium as a venue for upsets?
Pittodrie has a long history of producing shock results. In 2014, Aberdeen beat Celtic 2-1 here to end their 25-game unbeaten run. In 2022, they stunned Rangers 3-1. The crowd, the weather, and the sheer unpredictability of the pitch make it one of the toughest away grounds in Scotland. Hearts were the first league leaders to lose here since 2019—and now, they’re the first to lose after being unbeaten for 12 games.
