Aberdeen

Captain Graeme Shinnie praises Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin's calmness amid their early season form. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Hearts' squad market value has risen by £1.75m in the past year, while Aberdeen's has dropped by £0.95m. (Transfermarkt), external

Scotland have been handed a bad omen for the World Cup qualifier against Greece after controversial Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, who has already been in charge of dismal European nights for Celtic and Aberdeen this season, was appointed. (The Herald), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Maybe, just maybe, Jimmy Thelin can turn the tanker round.

No goals in 549 minutes and then five come along in the space of 115.

A first Premiership goal was followed by a convincing maiden Premiership win of the season and clean sheet against Dundee, hot on the heels of a spirited performance against Shakhtar Donetsk.

There are real signs of life that simply weren't there a fortnight ago.

The eye-catching displays of Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong are certainly proof of that with the switch in system also paying dividends. Jack Milne also deserves praise for the way he has played over the last two matches.

However, this is just a first league win since April against a disjointed looking Dundee. It is a baby step towards where the club not only wants to be but where it has to be.

They have a few acid tests to come after the pause for the international break, which has probably come at a bad time for Thelin with momentum key.

Trips to St Mirren and AEK Athens await before Hibernian go to Pittodrie with a visit to Kilmarnock after that. We will know after that quartet of games if the Dons have indeed turned the corner.

The good news for them is, despite remaining bottom of the pile, they are only six points off third and positive results in their next three league games will hoist them up the ladder.

For now, Thelin can take a breath knowing the pressure on him and his position at the club has been eased slightly as a result of their thrashing of Steven Pressley's team.

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Topi Keskinen is on part of the Finland squad as they face Lithuania and the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers.

Dimitar Mitov joins Bulgaria to take on Turkey and Spain in World Cup qualifying.

Aberdeen winger Jesper Karlsson is confident Sunday's 4-0 win over Dundee is a sign of things to come. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Dylan Lobban can become "a key player for Aberdeen in the years to come", says manager Jimmy Thelin, after the 20-year-old defender signed a new deal.

Academy graduate Lobban is part of the club's Conference League squad this season and has captained the development side, which last week won the Aberdeenshire Cup for the first time since 2003.

Lobban, who was the Dons' development player of the year last term, has spent time on loan at Formartine United, Forfar Athletic and Cove Rangers since signing his first professional contract in 2021.

"He continues to impress in training, learning from some of the more experienced players in the first team squad, and we look forward to working with Dylan on his continued development," added Thelin.

Calum Wright
Fan writer

Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong's class shone through as Aberdeen demolished Dundee to finally secure a league win.

When the pair arrived at Pittodrie at the beginning of September we all thought they'd come in and improve the side massively.

The weekend's victory was clear evidence of that being the case, with hopefully plenty more performances like that to come.

Aside from the Swedish loanee's brace – the second of which displayed incredible footwork and composure – his performance was outstanding.

So much of what was good about the Dons' play went through Karlsson as he found the half spaces and took the game to the visitors.

Armstrong showed drive from midfield that we had seldom seen prior to Jimmy Thelin's change in formation.

The former Southampton man consistently ran at – and through – Dundee, displaying a sense of urgency that's been lacking.

If the two can perform like they did on Sunday consistently and the rest of the team continue their improvement, the tide should turn for Aberdeen and hopefully we'll start to climb the table.

Calum Wright can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Lutz Pfannenstiel, who recently left St Louis City and is also wanted by Borussia Monchengladbach, leads Aberdeen's three-man director of football shortlist after speaking with the club over the weekend, but two other candidates will be interviewed before a decision is made. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen finally picked up their first Premiership victory of the season with a comfortable win over Dundee, they've got three players in my team of the week.

Emmanuel Gyamfi came through the youth ranks at Schalke and looks like he has plenty of potential. Gets forward and reaped the rewards with a goal against Dundee.

Jesper Karlsson is one of the most exciting signings of the summer in the Scottish game, albeit a loan move from Bologna. The Swedish international joined the Italian club for a reported £10million from AZ Alkmaar and his undoubted class was on display as the Dons dam burst in the 4-0 annihilation of Dundee. His second was a sublime example of solo virtuosity, bamboozling a posse of Dundee defenders before firing into the top corner.

Stuart Armstrong has always had class in abundance and showed that against Dundee. His assist for Gyamfi's goal was football perfection.

Watch all the highlights as Aberdeen recorded their first Premiership win of the season and put four goals past Dundee.

(Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 4-0 win against Dundee, which saw the Dons end their Scottish Premiership goal drought and secure their first league win of the season.

Here's what some of you said:

Graeme: Green shoots appeared on Thursday in the second half, picked that up and then some in the first half. Tired in the second but to be expected. Need to maintain this level and energy, now they've show what they really can do.

Ross: The confidence has begun to flow and, all of a sudden, Aberdeen look like a real team again. The players seem to be learning how each other play. The passing and interplay was marvellous at times and it was matched by the grit and determination. Not sure what happened to Dundee, but that will surely give us the boost we've been looking for.

Billy: I knew the Shakhtar Donetsk game had given the team belief. Jimmy Thelin is now playing a different system and as it looked today, he has found a system that is using the players we have and helping them play to each individual players' strengths. I could pick out six or seven players who were outstanding. The whole team just clicked and having a player like Jesper Karlsson, who can make something happen from nothing, will make a difference and help us climb up the league table in the next few months. I can't fault any of the players today, they mirrored the cutting edge we had this time last year, but I'd like to see our strikers on the score sheet from now on.

Mark: The effort on Thursday has clearly given the team much more belief. It's great to see plenty of goals and that each scorer was a new signing, which will hopefully given them more confidence now. It's a big step in the right direction and hopefully the team can sustain this level of performance. Onwards and upwards.

Marco: Really good performance. The team looked like they cared and were working hard on pressing from the front. It helped that Jimmy Thelin changed the formation, which helped to not expose the defence and allow more width in the attacking areas. I was hopeful Thelin would get it right, and on the last few showings, we're getting there.

Zander: I thought Aberdeen grew into the game after the penalty. We just need to take the confidence from this game into a tough a day at St Mirren in a few weeks.

Steve: What a difference from changing the 4-2-3-1 system. I know we've been calling for him to be sacked, but Thelin can now see how Aberdeen can be formidable in the future. It was really pleasing to see the whole team having a smile on their faces once again.

Keith: Superb display. Some would say a stellar execution of the manager's plan, it could easily have been eight or nine. I hope this is a sign of life in our season and we go on a run now to climb the table.

Dave: Feels like the international break has come at the absolute wrong time. Could do with another game coming up quickly for the Dons. I had been saying as soon as we get a goal, I think the flood gates will open and that's absolutely what happened today. Great to see that all the goals and assists came from new signings as well, very promising signs after today. Feels like our season kicked off this week.

A Jesper Karlsson-inspired Aberdeen ended their Scottish Premiership goal drought and romped to their first win of the Scottish Premiership season by putting four past Dundee at Pittodrie.

• Read the full match report here.

• Let us know your thoughts.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I'm so pleased with the performance. The players put in so much hard work in training, and in other games, and didn't get the results or goals.

"We saw some signs against Shakhtar on Thursday night, and also the connection between the fans and the team growing. The energy was back.

"Today, we started the game really well and the connection with the fans was there. They saw the players' effort. That's how we grow stronger.

"The connections in the team are growing. It was important to have a clean sheet today, and be front-footed. We pushed for a victory against Motherwell, and against Shakhtar.

"We have to keep this energy. It's important that when you represent Aberdeen Football Club, you show this energy."

"We know Jesper's qualities. He's adapting, every game he's getting better and better and finding more relationships with teammates.

"He's also getting fitter, and more match fit. The whole team is growing. Everyone has their specific skills. I'm happy with the whole team. Jesper is doing really well now.

"We need to stay focused on the right things and take it game by game. We're growing. The front-foot approach is there. We have to keep pushing and taking it game by game."

Lutz Pfannenstiel, the former German goalkeeper who is in the running to become sporting director at Aberdeen, is also in talks with Borussia Monchengladbach. (Scottish Sun), external

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Manager Jimmy Thelin admits there is no escaping the importance of Aberdeen's clash with Dundee on Sunday.

The Dons have only won one of their 11 fixtures in all competitions this term and are bottom of the Premiership table with just one point and no goals from their six league matches.

Aberdeen put in a better performance in their 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League on Thursday to ease some of the pressure on Thelin, but he knows the team must win to get their league campaign up and running.

"Of course it's important. We know where we are on the table, so now all focus is on the Dundee game," Thelin said.

"We have to recover and perform really good to get the points and get into the league, and starting from there build game by game.

"That's what we have to focus on because we are where we are."

Midfielder Stuart Armstrong echoes his manager and believes Thursday's match will give the Dons the boost they need before Sunday.

"You want to take the positives from Thursday but also want to turn it into something that's real - points, wins, goals," said the 33-year-old.

"Considering our start, it places a greater importance on getting a win against Dundee. Everyone at the club knows how important it is.

"The positivity of the last 20 minutes on Thursday will fuel us and give us some energy going into Sunday."

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Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack is again urging local government to back a new community stadium at Aberdeen Beach after a study claimed it would double the club's contribution to the local economy to £64m a year.

The club-commissioned report by Biggar Economics estimates the project would create 700 new jobs, support more than 600 jobs through construction, address the city's shortfall of community all-weather pitches and bring an additional 110,000 visitors to the city each year.

"This is not just about a new stadium for Aberdeen FC, it's about what's best for our city and our citizens," said Cormack.

"The club can and wants to play a major role. But it's not for us to lead on it, nor can we drive it forward alone. We would urge our city leaders to share this ambition and deliver the right environment in which economic growth and communities can flourish.

"Realising this opportunity is in the hands of our council leaders. Only they have the mandate and the ability to secure public, capital investment to drive such a transformational project.

"And with this study showing the project would deliver at least £1.6b of economic uplift over the next few decades, the economic case for a return on investment is utterly compelling."

Council tax in Aberdeen rose by 9.85% this year, with finance convener Alex McLellan saying the council faced "incredibly challenging" circumstances and "incredibly difficult" decisions.

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• Aberdeen have won their past three league meetings with Dundee, after having only won two of their previous seven beforehand (D3 L2).

• Dundee are winless in 16 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L11) since a 2-1 victory in May 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Aberdeen have become the first side to fail to score in each of their opening six matches of a top-flight season since Aberdeen themselves in 1999-00. The last side to go seven games without a goal at any stage of a Scottish Premiership campaign were Livingston from October to December 2023.

• Dundee have won just one of their seven league games this season (D3 L3) and are winless away from home in the Scottish Premiership this term (D2 L1).

• Dundee have both had the fewest shots (50) and faced the joint-most shots (95, level with Dundee United) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

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Aberdeen full-back Alexander Jensen is available after missing Thursday's Conference League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk through suspension but defender Kristers Tobers (knee) is out long term.

Dundee have Simon Murray, Paul Digby and Yan Dhanda back in their squad but have fitness doubts over Callum Jones and Billy Koumetio. Cesar Garza is still away with Mexico Under-20s.

Lutz Pfannenstiel, a candidate for the sporting director role at Pittodrie, was at Friday's Aberdeenshire Cup final between Aberdeen and Formartine United. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen ended a 549-minute goal drought in their 3-2 Conference League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, with Stuart Armstrong hoping it is a platform for better things to come.

A Jesper Karlsson spot-kick gave the Dons an early lead at Pittodrie on Thursday, although the classy Ukrainian side hit back.

"It was a relief when Jesper stuck the penalty in," explained Scotland midfielder Armstrong.

"It was a sort of clear the air, we can score a goal and build from that.

"When you don't score a goal in a few games it becomes the talking point and that is where we need to be calm within ourselves and remain focused and remain positive to show that we can be a good football team.

"I think we have shown great ability to get two goals, to show that we can do it. Sometimes it's like buses, one comes along and hopefully there are many more to come."

Aberdeen must go again on Sunday as they seek a first Premiership win of the season at home to Dundee and can take heart from a strong finish against Shakhtar.

"You want to take the positives but you want to turn it into something real; goals and points," added Armstrong.

"Every game is big but considering our start it places a greater importance on getting a win and that is what we will be looking for. Everyone at the club, we know how important the game is.

"The positivity of the last 15, 20 minutes tonight, I think will fuel us and give us some energy going in to Sunday."

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We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 3-2 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League, which extended the Dons' winless run to eight games.

Here's what some of you said:

Spencer: We played well, we fought well. It's a shame it adds another L on the board. Hopefully we take this performance into Sunday and this is what turns our fortune around! Back the team. Back the players. Back Jimmy Thelin.

Ross: Fair play to Aberdeen; we were up against a real top team and didn't disgrace ourselves. Maybe, just maybe, there are signs of green shoots of recovery but we absolutely cannot draw another blank on Sunday!

Brian: Hugely disappointed and encouraged in equal measures. Disappointed that we didn't get a point against an excellent team but pleased with the performance, the endeavour and structure of our play. Still backing Thelin.

Fred: A much stronger performance than of late but still a home defeat. We fought hard but were outplayed for most of the game. It is a sign of the times that we will look on a defeat as a positive. Still not strong in defence and where are our forwards?

Stuart: The desire to do well was there for the fans to see. Shakhtar are essentially a Champions League team and it was easy to see why. Slick, fast passing and clinical finishing. Second-half performance from Aberdeen gave us a lot of hope and the fight we crave was evident. Needs to continue into Sunday against Dundee. Jimmy was very positive after the game.

Marty: Much, much better from Aberdeen against a top European opponent. It was a game no one expected us to win, and there were occasions, especially in the second half when we looked the better team. The workrate and effort from the players was immense, but there is still a little bit of composure required at times.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Nicky Devlin says the positives Aberdeen can take from their Conference League display against Shakhtar Donetsk will count for nothing if they don't beat Dundee in the Premiership on Sunday.

The Dons ended a six-game run without a goal by taking the lead at Pittodrie before succumbing to a 3-2 loss to the the Ukrainian league leaders.

Aberdeen will hope it can be a turning point in a season where they have mustered just one win in 11 games in all competitions and occupy bottom spot in the Premiership.

Right-back Devlin, who scored his side's second goal against Shakhtar, said: "We have to win on Sunday. It is as simple as that, none of this means anything if we can't go and win.

"It was definitely a better performance, but unless we go and build on it, it doesn't really mean much.

"A good performance is the minimum we should be giving, the effort, workrate and fight should be a given.

"It is now about building on it and making sure we go into this international break off the back of winning this game on Sunday."

While Aberdeen will get some plaudits for their continental showing, manager Thelin remains under serious pressure.

His team go into Sunday's visit of Dundee four points adrift at the bottom with no league goals and just one point from their opening six games.

"The pressure is maybe something we have not handled well so far this season in games that we have lost," Devlin added.

"It is something we have to improve on. If you don't want to play under pressure then it is probably not the place to come to play.

"It's a one-club city and there is pressure on you all the time to go and win games. It is nothing new but we have to be better in those moments."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Three fresh summer arrivals were named by Jimmy Thelin in his starting XI to face Shakhtar at Pittodrie, and all three repaid their manager's show of faith despite the Dons' narrow defeat.

Stuart Armstrong, Marko Lazetic, and Jesper Karlsson were industrious when needed and dynamic going forward when freed up.

Lazetic, once of AC Milan, arrived to much acclaim, as did on-loan Bologna winger Karlsson, and both showed their potency and threat.

The former looked promising, with his ability to hold the ball up and create shooting space for himself in tight spaces, adding another dimension to an attack that had been blunt for months.

While the latter showed some much-needed confidence to bury his early penalty and remained lively, showing his determination to pitch in for the side and defend as part of a unit, too.

Armstrong was crucial in linking the play but did his best work off the ball, working doggedly to stop the visitors progressing into the final third.

Read more: Are Aberdeen showing signs of releasing handbrake?