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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Will Lancaster

Aberdeen 0 Hibs 0 as Youan impresses, Nisbet misses penalty - 3 things we learned

Hibs huffed and puffed for a goal against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon at Pittodrie - but for all of their efforts, they will feel gutted that they couldn't grind out a win on the east coast.

Lee Johnson's men went into this one knowing that a win in the Granite City would put them within three points of Aberdeen in the hunt for Europa League football, and dominated Barry Robson's men for large periods in a superb Scottish Premiership tie.

But three chances that struck the woodwork went begging for the visitors, and when Kevin Nisbet missed a penalty from the spot, they knew it just wasn't to be their day as they couldn't put their dominance into a finite result. The Dons walked a tightrope, and have almost definitely wrapped up a Europa League space for themselves - leaving Hibs to almost certainly battle it out with Hearts. Edinburgh Live takes a look at 3 key talking points.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith won't change Hearts mantra as Jambos boss delivers 'much better place' verdict

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Campbell VAR escape

Josh Campbell was arguably a very lucky boy to remain on the pitch on the half hour mark.

The Hibs academy graduate had a coming together with Celtic loanee Liam Scales, with the pair colliding after they both stretched for the ball.

The call went to VAR, with the away fans at Pittodrie biting their nails as a loss of a man would all but kill their hopes of winning the clash.

However, he escapes with a yellow card when it could have turned out a lot different. Lucky escape, perhaps?

Shooting boots left at home

For all of their dominance in the tie, Hibs could quite easily have won the game against the Dons.

Elie Youan - recently signed on a permanent deal - hit the post whilst Campbell could have converted from close range, all within the opening knockings of the second half.

Harry McKirdy and Youan then struck the woodwork twice in the same phase of play as we entered the final knockings of the contest, and Nisbet missed a penalty after McKirdy's strike hit an arm, which was given by VAR. You began to wonder whether it would be one of those 'Hibsed it' days, resulting in a 1-0 win to the hosts.

Had they taken their chances, Hibs would be just three points from a potential Europa League spot. Who would've thought that not so long ago?

A tasty Edinburgh derby

Today's result leaves Hibs still on the brink of catching their opponents, standing just one point behind their bitter rivals.

Should the pair match results across the next two game weeks, a mouthwatering Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle would mean a Hibs win automatically passes them through to the next round of the Europa Conference League.

It may not sound like much, but with a huge pot of money on offer for partaking in the group stages of the competition, it could set the pair apart in years to come should they spent their prize money in a correct manner.

Something to ponder for both sets of fans.

READ NEXT:

- Alex Cochrane Hearts red card vs Celtic put under Ref Watch microscope by Dermot Gallagher

- Steven Naismith Hearts v Celtic red card reaction as he bills next two games 'biggest of season'

- Hearts 0 Celtic 2 as Barrie McKay impresses amid Alex Cochrane VAR drama - three things we learned

- Andy Halliday would love to finish career at Hearts as he makes 'highest level' admission

- Hearts vs Aberdeen handed PPV boost with game heading towards 'complete sell out'

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