The Heart of Midlothian fans were "brilliant", according to Derek McInnes, while Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the Main Stand as the league leaders defeated his former club.
Claudio Braga's first-half strike was the difference as Hearts extended their lead at the top of the league to seven points with a 1-0 success over Aberdeen.
Perhaps the biggest performance was that of the fans.
"They were brilliant, really good. I don't like being the guy that's asking the fans to do it, because it has to come from them. They have to want to do it," McInnes said.
"I thought there was a want from them to turn up and get behind the team. It was really noticeable. We knew that the fans would do their bit today and it was important that we did ours. So I thought it was a good effort from everybody all round."
The atmosphere was aided by a rousing rendition of The Hearts Song by Colin Chisholm before kick-off.
McInnes noted: "He done well, didn't he? So he just said to me, he's just glad I never jinxed it. You and me both!
"But no, he sung well. Like I say, I'm loving what we're getting at Tynecastle. We've had a lot of good days here this season and hopefully there's a few more to come."
Colin Chisholm before the game was brilliant.
Atmosphere has been excellent. pic.twitter.com/92lDhDJ8cA— Joel Sked (@sked21) February 28, 2026
Big win
Just nine games stand between Hearts and Scottish Premiership success.
McInnes was delighted with his team's performance, explaining the decision to go with a front two.
"It felt like a big game. I think the fans made it that. I think the situation in terms of the context of the league makes it that. When you look at the scoreline, it looked like a tight scoreline. But I actually thought in terms of the game, I thought it was a very good performance.
"The biggest thing I take from it is the three points. But importantly for us, it was a strong performance. It was exactly the type of performance we needed to be.
"I'm delighted that the two lads, we were committed to playing with a front two, combined for the goal. There was a lot of satisfaction with how the two of them caused the Aberdeen back line a lot of stress throughout the whole game.
"We played Harry Milne high on the left and we played Kyziridis stretched out on the right. It was to try and get as many crosses, get the crowd into it, play in that manner. I think we had more crosses in today's game than we've had for a long time.
"In terms of what the players gave us, it was the type of performance I was hoping for. In an ideal world, from a Hearts perspective, you would want a second goal to enjoy that last part.
"While it's only 1-0, credit Aberdeen. A combination of us being a bit scruffy when we're finishing and some decent defending from Aberdeen keeps the game at 1-0. While the game is only 1-0, the opposition will still feel they've got a chance and they keep trying to throw things at it.
"I actually thought 75-80 minutes, you've got a decision to make whether you stick or twist. We tried to become the counter-attacking team a bit more and we defended really well. A good three points, no more than we deserved.
"Just as important as that was a good performance. At this stage of the season, when there's a lot on it, 1-0 is a great result for us. The performance was really pleasing as well for me."
Spittal and defence
There were a number of excellent individual and collective performances, one of which was Blair Spittal.
"Very good. He plays the right passes. He was up in the game. We're asking him to do a lot of what isn't natural to him in terms of being right up against people and making it difficult. But he is the guy who, when the ball settles on, he'll play forward. The goal is a big part of that. He made two or three passes like that.
"We know Aberdeen would try and play with a higher line at times and try and squeeze the game, but we needed to try and make them think twice of that.
"Spittal makes good decisions on the ball. He's got quality from set plays, dead balls, but his decision-making was first class and he followed on from another big performance against Falkirk."
Hearts won 1-0 for the third game in the last four. A key part of that success is a resolute backline. Jamie McCart stepped in for the injured Harry Milne.
"It wasn't great in terms of getting two bookings early on from Halkett and Big Jamie. A special mention to Jamie. We know Halkett has done it all season, but Jamie coming in and me asking him to play in that manner, really be aggressive.
"Olusanya would beat him in a footrace. Sometimes, defenders aren't always sure about that. We knew there was a risk there, but Jamie was first class. It's a testament to how he trains and his preparation as a professional that he can go in and play in that manner and play for 90-odd minutes. He's deserving of a lot of credit for that.
"But I thought defensively... I thought Steinwender was really good as well and negating a lot of that transitional stuff from Aberdeen."
Old Firm
Hearts can now put their feet up and watch the Old Firm game on Sunday. A game Derek McInnes will definitely be watching.
"Of course, I'm watching it. Are you mad? I'm looking forward to it, actually. It's always an interesting game, so I'm looking forward to it.
"It actually wasn't mentioned. I just said [before the game] that, for me, there was 30 points available still, so there's loads of points to be won and still loads of points that can be lost.
"We've got to realise that when you say now nine games to go, it doesn't seem a lot, but 27 points is still a lot that can happen. I just think that it was just important we dealt with our game. It doesn't do us any harm winning a game ahead before they play, but I actually think for us it's just keep doing our job, don't give too much encouragement.
"We know how a negative result everybody starts to question, but there isn't actually anybody questioning my players in-house. We know we're capable of winning games and as I've said from way back, our fight is with ourselves. The fight today was to put in a good performance and we demanded that of ourselves and I thought we got exactly that.
"I thought we were the stronger team throughout and it was only 1-0. We'd like to go to a second one, but with 27 points to play for still, there's still a lot that can happen. Nobody's getting carried away, but it was a very important win."
Sir Alex
The legendary manager was an interested observer from the Main Stand as Hearts guest. He turned up in a maroon tie to boot.
"He's in the office now, so I'll get a chance to see him. I saw him before the game. I sat in the office for about an hour before the game. He got here early, so I'll catch up with him when I finish with you guys," McInnes said.
"He just came in [before the game] to see myself and my staff and had a chat. Obviously, he's got the game tomorrow as well, but I'll get a proper catch-up with him now.
"It's just nice to see Tynecastle where 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 everybody here today."
