Aberdeen

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Last week I wrote here about the dearth of entertainment that Aberdeen and St Johnstone continually served up in recent seasons when they met, but Monday’s frenetic clash in Perth was a refreshing change from the norm.

The Dons deserved their victory after their vigorous first-half performance. Saints struggled to contain them and the visitors were unlucky to only be one goal up at half-time, albeit there was a grandstand finish.

The club has been relatively quiet in the transfer market this summer and there is a suspicion the board are waiting to see if Jimmy Thelin can get a tune out of what is in the building before committing to more numbers.

One of the club’s priorities just now simply has to be trying to tie the influential Jamie McGrath down on an extended deal. The Irishman is into the last year of his contract and seems to be growing by the game, having finished last season strongly. He was superb in Perth, with a goal and an assist to his name.

New signing Sivert Nilsen also impressed and is exactly the type of player Aberdeen had been missing last season.

But, with Leighton Clarkson joining Dante Polvara on the long-term injured list, the squad is pretty light in numbers. Given they want to challenge Hearts this season, the difference in depth is quite stark – considering the Edinburgh side are close to having three players per position while the Aberdeen bench looked somewhat threadbare at McDiarmid Park.

However, Thelin has become the first Pittodrie manager to win his opening five games. And although all but one of those was against lower-league opposition, he clearly has the players in a good mindset as they prepare to welcome in-form St Mirren to the Granite City on Sunday.

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Jamie McGrath has hailed Bojan Miovski’s impactful return to the frontline as a "breath of fresh air" for Aberdeen.

North Macedonia striker Miovski made his first start of the season in Monday night’s Premiership opener as Jimmy Thelin's side followed up four League Cup wins with a 2-1 victory at St Johnstone.

The 25-year-old hit the bar from distance and was a major threat in the first half especially despite having played just 45 minutes in the group stage amid speculation over his future.

"He could have looked like he wasn't match sharp but that wasn't the case," said midfielder McGrath, who scored the Dons’ second.

"He nearly stuck one in the top bin from 30 yards. He was a breath of fresh air to get back into the team and he gives us that point to link up.

"You know when he has the ball he rarely gives it away. As a midfielder, that's the dream. He is only going to get sharper going into the season and long may that continue."

Having emerged as the match-winner in Perth, McGrath is now looking to kick off their home league campaign with a win against former club St Mirren on Sunday.

The Dons won just seven of 19 home matches in the Premiership last season.

"Our home form wasn't good enough," the Republic of Ireland international said.

"So far we have won all our home games and had a good feeling. The home fans will be behind us and that will be important going into a really tough game against St Mirren, who are flying. It is good to see them doing well in Europe."

Southampton have been linked with interest in Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski but the Premier League newcomers are not pursuing a move for the 25-year-old. (Sky Sports)

Raith Rovers are eyeing a move for former Aberdeen caretaker manager and current Dons first-team coach Peter Leven. (Daily Record)

Midfielder Jamie McGrath says Aberdeen can forget about a top-half Premiership finish unless they improve their home form from last season. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Gary Scott
Fan writer

As starts go for new managers, beating a club record that has been in situ since 1977 is not a bad way to kick things off and the Dons’ 2-1 win over St. Johnstone on Monday night sees Jimmy Thelin become the first Aberdeen manager to win his first five competitive games.

The cynic would suggest that, of course, those results have been somewhat padded out via the League Cup group stage but, nevertheless, it’s been a positive start to the Swede’s time in Scotland.

Thelin has extolled the virtues of patience among the Aberdeen support since arriving in the summer with a key focus on repeating the message that this is a three-year project and, in the main, the Red Army has appeared to buy in to this mantra.

That said, football is littered with plenty of “projects” which are abandoned at the first sign of trouble and so Thelin will no doubt be relieved to have got off to a winning start from which he can build from.

Aberdeen’s first half performance in Perth was exceptional and it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to suggest that they should’ve been four or five goals up going in at the break.

Bojan Miovski’s return helped to mitigate the loss of Leighton Clarkson through injury as the Dons ran riot. Miovski’s attitude since returning from the summer break has been exemplary – there’s a certain Cape Verdean attacker who would do well to take a leaf out of Miovski’s book...

As has been the case in all of Thelin’s games so far, this wasn’t a complete performance.

Saints came more and more into the game as the second half wore on and Jamie McGrath’s goal following an exquisite passing move arrived at a timely moment in the game but, even then, Aberdeen’s threadbare squad began to show as substitutions took place with a noticeable drop off in quality.

Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Graeme Shinnie were excellent in the opening four, but began to tire as the game wore on – oh for the legs of Dante Polvara to be available...

Gavin Molloy’s unfortunate own-goal took the shine off a decent first outing in the Premiership for the Irishman and made the final ten minutes of the game a lot nervier than it should’ve been, but Thelin’s side dug in to take the points – a first opening day win away from Pittodrie since 2015 and all eyes move towards the visit of the Paisley Saints to Pittodrie on Sunday in what will, likely, prove to be a stiffer examination of the Dons’ credentials.

Gary Scott can be found on the ABZ Football Podcast, external

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin praised the attitude of star striker Bojan Miovski, after the North Macedonia international helped the Dons start their Premiership campaign with victory against St Johnstone.

Miovski looked sharp in the 2-1 win at McDiarmid Park despite only playing 45 minutes during the entirety of the League Cup group stages as rumours circled surrounding his future.

Thelin restored Miovski to the starting line-up for the first game of the league season, and says he had no doubts about doing so.

"He has been ready all the time," Thelin said. "But we also try to prepare the whole team and we don't have any friendly games. We had the cup games, Ester (Sokler) and Pete (Ambrose) were doing well and I know what Bojan can do.

"He has been sharp in training, he's been mentally here. For the first cup game we took him out because it was a lot (of speculation) but since then he's been really, really focused and a lot of positive energy in the locker room and on the training pitch.

"He showed he's here in his head and doing really well for Aberdeen. He's giving 100 per cent and he's a really good player. Right now he is an Aberdeen player and we focus on that and we take training day by day."

We asked you for your views on Aberdeen's winning start to the Scottish Premiership season against St Johnstone.

Here's a flavour of what you had to say:

Donald: Overall very encouraging signs, particularly in the first half on the footballing qualities of Thelin’s Dons.

We should’ve been three or four goals up by half-time with well worked opportunities. Concerned though that we struggled to check Saints momentum in the second half. Better teams will make us pay, but Thelin’s Dons will only improve, that’s very exciting!

BB: Three points was a must. Performance was good up until maybe 70 minutes, but should’ve been game over in the first half. Still think we need a couple more signings.

Stuart: A good start, could have scored more goals, however the new players are still setting in. Will need to be sharper against St Mirren, though I'm sure Bojan Miovski will still be with us for the season.

Struan: Finally a well balanced team. To see us play in that manner, creating, countering and defending so well, it's hard not to expect big things from this current Aberdeen team.

Could, and maybe should, have been three up at half-time... Carry on like that and European football is assured next season.

Calum: Really promising start and I think Thelin should do well. I am concerned with the squad depth, however. We don’t seem to have cover for central midfield or Sokler if Miovski does go.

Kieran: We looked stronger, faster and more confident. I hope we don't sell Miovski for less than £6 million. So who knows if he'll still be here when window closes...

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jamie McGrath underlined his importance to Aberdeen with what proved to be the winning goal in the away victory at St Johnstone.

It was put on a plate for him by Sivert Heltne Nilsen.

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Jimmy Thelin has made quite the start to life in the Aberdeen dugout.

The Swede became the first Aberdeen manager to win his first five games in charge, with Monday's 2-1 victory over St Johnstone adding to the four League Cup group-stage wins.

Ryan Cryle, joint sports editor of the Press and Journal and Evening Express, is one of many admirers, and believes the Swede's tactical vision is starting to show already.

"I think it was a great start for Jimmy Thelin in his first Premiership game," Cryle said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think within the game itself, after a bit of a slow start - which has maybe been a little bit of a pattern so far over the last few games - you start to see the how Thelin wants Aberdeen to play.

"Committing bodies forward in big numbers, nice attacking combinations, players running, making angles... and they had a good few chances in that first half.

"They could have been out of sight by half-time last night. I think fans will have been excited by what they've seen in that opening period. They then concede a goal that in the second half came a little bit out of nowhere with the way things had been going.

"Naturally when you have that combined with nine minutes of added time, as Jamie McGrath possibly said after the game, it does set the scene for that nervy finish. But they got over the line, got their three points and that's the most important thing."

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here

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• Jimmy Thelin is the first Aberdeen manager to win his first five games in charge.

• Aberdeen are undefeated in their last 10 games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 17 May 2017 to 14 October 2017, a run of 11 games.

• The Dons have scored in each of their last six games in the Premiership, scoring 15 goals in that run.

• Aberdeen have only lost once in their last 15 visits to McDiarmid Park.

• Jamie McGrath created six chances against St Johnstone, the most by any player.

Genoa and Southampton may bid for Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski, 25. (Record), external

Retired defender Andy Considine has returned to Aberdeen to work at the club's youth academy. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Watch highlights as Aberdeen open their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone (UK only).

Well Aberdeen fans, what did you make of that?

Are you enjoying the early Thelin era? Do you like the new style of play?

And importantly, do you think Bojan Miovski will stay?

Let us know your thoughts, external.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

The ‘new manager bounce’ is certainly a phenomenon, but pinning Aberdeen’s victory on the aforementioned affect would be unfair.

The Dons’ looked assured tactically, carrying out their roles confidently and largely with aplomb.

Thelin’s Elfsborg team were known for their direct approach and he has imprinted that style on Aberdeen quickly. It’s not quite ‘hoofball’ though, instead picking their moments quite deliberately to launch it long.

So the manager has bedded in quickly, but can the new players? Heltne Nilsen looks to have added much-needed grit to the midfield, while Molloy and Mitov were largely untested for most of the night.

Things could have been far more comfortable had they been a little more clinical, but the game management was there to see the game out.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "I'm happy, it was a good celebration with the supporters and the staff after the game.

"The first half we have more control. Second half St Johnstone did well and put pressure on us but we defended well. We didn't get as many shots on goal but it was team effort, how we protected each other and fought all the way to the end for the three points.

"Football is not always easy but you have to respect the opponents. We can improve some parts, when we get the ball. The transition was good today. Maybe we need to break the momentum sometimes."

"We talk about a long term process. We have to grow but we need everyone in the support, in both good and tough times.

"It was loud, we had energy from everyone. I'm looking forward to Pittodrie in the league, it's an amazing atmosphere there."

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Bojan Miovski. Barely used in the winning start to the League Cup, the North Macedonian international was perhaps a surprise inclusion in the starting XI - but his name buoyed both teammates and supporters alike.

His lively link-up play had Aberdeen streaming forward in the first half and he was unlucky not to score himself, rattling the bar from 25 yards out.

A mention must go to Sivert Heltne Nilsen, who was dogged in defence but showed a clinical touch to slip a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Jamie McGrath for the second.

St Johnstone: Rae, Neilson, Cameron, McClelland, Wright, MacPherson, Essel, M Smith, Raymond, Kimpioka, Sidibeh.

Substitutes: Sinclair, Sanders, Clark, Carey, C Smith, Sprangler, McPake, Kirk, Franczak.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Molloy, Rubezic, MacKenzie, McGrath, Heltne Nilsen, Shinnie, Morris, Miovski, Sokler.

Substitutes: Doohan, Jensen, Gueye, McGarry, Besuijen, Milne, Duncan, Ambrose, Stewart.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs are closing in on the signing of Junior Hoilett, with the Canadian winger undergoing a medical with the Easter Road club.

The 34-year-old signed for Premiership side Aberdeen in February, but left Pittodrie at the end of last season having scored two goals and contributed nine assists in 15 appearances.

Hoilett would become Hibs' sixth signing of the summer, following Marvin Ekpiteta, Warren O’Hora, Jordan Smith, Mykola Kuharevich and Josef Bursik.

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Aberdeen have held initial talks with left-back Jack MacKenzie, 24, over a new deal, with his current contract expiring in May. (Record), external

Having to wait until Monday evening to open the Scottish Premiership season away to St Johnstone has been a frustration for Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Leighton Clarkson's eight-week-long injury absence may force manager Jimmy Thelin to enter the transfer market, says Aberdeen forward Duncan Shearer. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone will be without Nicky Clark (calf) and Andre Raymond (hamstring) while Uche Ikpeazu (knee) faces longer out. Aaron Essel is free from suspension.

Aberdeen are without midfielders Leighton Clarkson (shoulder) and Dante Polvara (hamstring), while striker Duk is unavailable after failing to report back for pre-season training on time.

Bojan Miovski will be in the squad despite intense speculation about his future.

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While Celtic were unanimously predicted to become league champions by our reporters, the question of who would finish third split opinion. Some said Hearts would repeat the trick, but two plumped for Aberdeen...

Tyrone Smith, our man in the north-east:

I initially had Hearts down for this but, despite their big squad, the impact their European commitments could have on their domestic ones made me change my mind and go for Aberdeen instead as being the team who will finish as the best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers.

After hugely under achieving last term, they will be determined to avoid any such repeat this time round, and under new manager Jimmy Thelin, there is a real optimism among everyone connected with the club that the good times could be heading back and that they could, and should, find themselves challenging in the upper echelons of the table once again.

Kheredine Idessane, asking all the big questions pitch-side:

I was swithering over this one, with Hearts my natural pick for third. The big caveat to that is Lawrence Shankland.

It seems unlikely he’ll still be at Tynecastle for much longer and when you take away Scotland’s player of the year, and add in an expected improvement from the Dons under new boss Jimmy Thelin, that’s why I’ll plump for Aberdeen to be the best of the rest.

Before all you Killie fans start screaming at me, I’m actually expecting third spot to be a close three-way fight between Kilmarnock, Hearts and Aberdeen.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin admitted he "feels sorry" for injured midfielder Leighton Clarkson.

The Dons' playmaker is set to miss the first two months of the new season after suffering a should fracture during the Premier Sports Cup group stage win over Dumbarton.

The Dons open their new campaign at St Johnstone on Monday night.

"I feel sorry for Leighton," Thelin said. "He’s a good guy and he started the season really well and has been important for us.

"But that’s football, we need to find solutions for him and for Dante [Polvara] who is also not available. That’s our job now. Sometimes it gives opportunities to other players."

American midfielder Polvara became a key figure for the Dons last season but has been ruled out for a couple of months after injuring his hamstring.

That means Graeme Shinnie and new signing Sivert Heltne Nilsen are the only recognised central midfielders in the club's senior squad.

"Of course we feel like both Dante and Leighton are really good guys and players, and it’s not nice when they get setbacks like this.

"But they have our support and hopefully they get back stronger and can still give energy to the locker room."

The Aberdeen manager also spoke about Bojan Miovski, his star striker who has been left out of starting matchday squads during the League Cup as he is linked with a move away.

“For me, he is still an Aberdeen player, and that’s what we focus on,” Thelin said. “We have a game on Monday, he is training fully and he is giving everything in the training so for sure he will be in the squad, and maybe he starts.”