Aberdeen

Ross County are in talks to sign 19-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Adam Emslie, who spent last season on loan to Cove Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), external

Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has told Red TV he expects another three or four new signings at Pittodrie this summer in addition to the four already secured. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Mats Knoester said it was a quick and easy decision to sign a contract extension at Aberdeen to 2029.

The Dutch centre-back, who signed from Ferencvaros in February on a two-and-a-half-year deal, made 17 Dons appearances last season, including the full Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic as Jimmy Thelin's side prevailed on penalties.

"It was quite fast that we agreed [a new deal]," he told club media.

"I've had a good past half year with a great ending, of course.

"Even if I take that away and I just look at how I got here, how I was welcomed, how I was feeling, my family, it's been really good so there not a lot of thoughts needed to agree on a contract."

If anything could have swayed it, though, Aberdeen's historic Scottish Cup win in May might have just done it.

Knoester was a rock at the back as Jimmy Thelin's side shocked Celtic. And that shock continued for the defender in the days to come.

"It was the days after really you good feel how big it was," he added.

"The parade, almost everyone was out - I didn't even know so many people lived in Aberdeen - the streets were full so we could definitely see how much it meant.

"You can't buy those experiences, it's in the soul of the club and it's an experience for life."

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack rules out selling winger Topi Keskinen, 22, this summer. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Aberdeen say they have secured investment of £8m, mainly to be used to improve the club's training ground, Cormack Park.

The installation of a new full-sized indoor arena will be part of the project.

"The vision is for a new covered 4G facility to be situated on the current undeveloped Neale Cooper Pitch 6, to allow for all-year-round use for our men and women's teams, both academies, AFCCT programmes and other local junior and amateur teams," the club said.

"We will also be making some additional improvements to Pittodrie Stadium over the next two years, in line with our previously announced medium-term plan of remaining at our current home."

And chairman Dave Cormack added: "Together with our investors, I remain committed to driving Aberdeen FC forward and continuing to make our supporters and the region proud of its football club."

Aberdeen fans, we asked you how Jimmy Thelin should build on the momentum gathered by that Scottish Cup wins. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Douglas: With pacy wingers such a big part of our game, it's a no-brainier we need a top-notch six-yard box finisher. Midfield alternatives to the excellent Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Heltne Nielsen must be on the horizon. A Jamie McGrath-type playmaker too.

Gordon: By building a strong squad of real quality players and probably a different tactical set up. Overall 4-2-3-1 hasn't worked for us. We can't afford two out-and-out wingers as that always leaves us a man short in midfield. Also, you can't build a goal-scoring partnership when you always play a lone striker.

For me, 4-4-2 gives the team more solidity and shape, Topi Keskinen on left of midfield and Nicolas Milanovic on the right with Shayden Morris as the impact sub.

Steve: They'll need one squad for the Premiership and one for Europe, with a tweaking between the two. We saw last time in Europe, we more or less played the same team on the Thursday and Sunday, leading to players being burned out, losing the momentum we'd shown the second half of the season prior. It will all come down to money - what's left in the pot now?

Prioritise what you want, a good run in Europe or finish as high up the league as possible? If we could only try and get Miovski back on loan!

Anthony: The second-half of last season was an absolute disaster due to tactical rigidity. There have been many new names but it remains to be seen whether the Dons tactical approach will become more flexible. The first three games will be most instructive. European may be a distraction that earns money.

Arch: Building momentum will need a larger and better quality squad to handle both Europe and the league. Both Hearts and the Dons have fallen over in this respect in recent years. Better defenders are essential, as are sharper strikers and a stronger midfield. Thelin has done a great job in his first season, taking the club from nowhere to a major domestic trophy and European group stage football. If there's a problem it won't be the manager.

Chris: All we seem to do is to sign non-Scottish players. We had a half-hearted attempt to sign [Lyall Cameron], who went to Rangers. Yes, we have signed some good players but not all of them are good. What could be even worse is seeing Bojan Miovski coming back in green and white hoops!

If I was Thelin I would try to prize Simon Murray away from Dundee - he could do a good job for us.

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Aberdeen are keen on Degerfors winger Elias Pihlstrom but Dutch clubs PEC Zwolle and FC Utrecht are also interested in the 18-year-old Swede. (Kt-Kuriren & FotbollDirekt via Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's transfer gossip in full.

Just one month on from Aberdeen's stunning Scottish Cup win, the Dons players have had to come off cloud nine to return for pre-season training.

Given how momentous - and lengthy - the celebrations were following the Hampden triumph, there may still be a some sore heads at Cormack Park this morning.

But those heads need to refocus for the fast approaching new season, which will include guaranteed European football until the winter.

The Dons have a Europa League play-off to come in late August thanks to their cup win, and they'll find out their opponent on 4 August.

Should they lose, will drop straight into the Conference League proper.

Before that, Jimmy Thelin's side have a tough Scottish Premiership start with trips to Tynecastle and Tannadice bookending a visit from Celtic in their first three fixtures.

A stronger and more consistent league campaign will be on the wish-list at Aberdeen following their fifth-placed finish last term.

Last week, ex-Dons striker Lee Miller insisted his former side must "build momentum" from their cup win, but just how do they go about doing that?

Send us your thoughts

Aberdeen could be in line for a transfer windfall from former midfielder Ylber Ramadani, with reports in Italy saying the Lecce player is a target for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ain. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Manager Jimmy Thelin is eager to improve Aberdeen's away form. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Kevin Nisbet, who was on loan to Aberdeen from Millwall last season, is not a target for Heart of Midlothian, with head coach Derek McInnes hopeful of convincing fellow Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland to stay at Tynecastle Park. (Hearts Standard), external

Nicolas Milanovic rejected offers from a number of European clubs before signing for Aberdeen and the striker has the weapons to take the Scottish Premiership and European group stage football by storm, according to Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Alen Stajcic, whose club sold the 23-year-old for a fee of around £400,000. (Press & Journal), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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We asked for your views on Aberdeen's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 games.

Here's what some of you said:

Anthony: A tough opening couple of weeks, hopefully we do well enough that we don't take a psychological hit, but the fixtures in September look much more winnable. The huge factor that makes it difficult is the European league phase. Doesn't matter which competition we end up in, teams of our size always struggle adapting to midweek European matches. The fans will have to be patient, I reckon, which has never been the Red Army's strong suit.

Jimibub: As much as I wish Derek [McInnes] well, I hope we give him a rude awakening in his first league fixture at Hearts. It's a tough start to the season, especially considering the European challenge, but bring it on. If we want European football money, we need to be able to balance the requirements. Beat Hearts, draw with Celtic, beat Dundee United and I think we have a good domestic start on our hands.

Kev: Some tricky away games, and some even trickier home matches in the opening 10. However, ever the optimist, I'm expecting a lightning start to the season again this year and for the Dandies to be in the top two - hopefully!

Eric: I don't think we could have had a harder first games to start, and certainly can't afford to lose all three. The next three are better, but we have to end up no worse than fourth overall, otherwise that is a disaster. With the first two places inevitable, our battle must be third/fourth with a target of 60 points.

Andy: Well that's a good question and, given last year's shenanigans, completely unanswerable. However, I'll have a go at 17 points after 10 games: five wins, two draws and three defeats.

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Former striker Lee Miller believes Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win will have given all at Pittodrie "a massive boost" but now they must build "momentum" from it.

Jimmy Thelin's side shocked Celtic to lift their first Scottish Cup in 35 years and secured a spot in the Europa League play-off round in the process.

"It's been a long time coming, a Scottish cup up there," ex-Dons forward Miller said.

"I think they can only take positives out of that, having beaten a really good Celtic team that did really well through the season.

"I think they need to come off the back of that and have the momentum to now kick on in the new season."

The fixtures for the new Scottish Premiership season were announced earlier today and Miller added it will be difficult for the Pittodrie side to balance domestic football and European adventures.

"I think it's going to be tough for Aberdeen, but I think we will eventually - as a nation, as clubs in our country - get better at it," he said.

"The whole journey around being in Europe, whether it's different weeks leading up to it, different training days, we need to get better at adjusting to being in Europe because it has taken its toll over our teams over the past few seasons.

"We've got so many sports scientists and people that look into that, but as players, I think you want to play in games of that stature."

Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 season.

According to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and Motherwell.

As for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right?

Take a look below to see where your side places...

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Aside from the first two games of the season, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.

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See Aberdeen's full fixture list here

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Aberdeen fans don't have to wait long for mouthwatering games in the new Scottish Premiership season.

The Dons bring the curtain down on the opening weekend with a tasty tussle at Tynecastle against former Dons boss Derek McInnes' Hearts on Monday, 4 August at 20:00 BST.

Champions Celtic visit Pittodrie the following weekend and then comes a New Firm derby against another ex-Dons manager, Jim Goodwin, and Dundee United at Tannadice.

The first game against Rangers - always a spicy affair - is at Ibrox on 1 November.

And what about the schedule over Christmas and New Year? Well, Jimmy Thelin's men have away trips to Celtic and Hibernian either side of United's visit to Pittodrie before beginning the new year with a visit to top-flight newcomers Falkirk.

Aberdeen end the 33-game regular season with a home game against Hibs and will hope to be firmly ensconced in the top six by then.

Looking at the fixture list, where do you think the Dons will be after 10 games? Have your say here.

Aberdeen will travel to face Hearts in their opening game of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season.

The match will take place on Monday, 4 August at 20:00 BST, with the Dons' first home fixture against champions Celtic on Sunday, 10 August at 12:30.

See Aberdeen's Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.

Where do you think the Dons will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Share your views here.

We asked for your views on a potential change of approach from Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin next season after his tactical masterstroke in the Scottish Cup final.

Here's what some of you said:

Malky: I don't think we're signing the personnel to adopt that new style. Thelin will double down on his style with said personnel and hopefully have more joy with it. Topi Keskinen can't play through the middle, he isn't remotely effective there, but out wide he can really be effective. Add Shayden Morris, Nicolas Milanovic etc. and we should be more productive. My concern is the lack of fight and aggression against teams like St Mirren and Dundee United, whose sole game plan revolves around winning throw-ins, corners, free-kicks and long balls over the top. This is what we need to focus on to give ourselves the best chance of finishing as high up as possible. Hopefully Thelin's naivety with this will be gone come the new season.

Fraser: This isn't Football Manager. Real matches demand adaptability. A good coach should have two or three tactical set-ups that can be switched between, not just one rigid system. Having a philosophy is important, but blindly sticking to it when it's not working isn't tactical discipline, it's stubbornness. The best managers evolve based on the opponent and match context. As the saying goes, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity.

Duncan: Due to inferior budgets and fixture demands, uncommon sense dictates the tactics and formation changes required across all competitions.

Bruce: Thelin's change of shape was incredibly unexpected and also remarkably effective. He has shown himself to be an astute tactician with his half-time and second-half improvements and it will be fascinating to see whether this can be extended into first-half performances with his new team next season.

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

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James McGarry will leave Aberdeen for "a fresh start" with A-League side Brisbane Roar after a "difficult" two years at Pittodrie.

The left-back made just 28 appearances since joining in 2023, due in large part to Jack MacKenzie's form, and spent the second half of last season on loan to Athens Kallithea.

The 27-year-old New Zealand cap scored one Dons goal - against Dumbarton in last season's League Cup group stage - and leaves with the "best wishes" of manager Jimmy Thelin.

"A culmination of frustrating injuries and the form of Jack made life a little difficult for James, but I have never had any complaints about his attitude or professionalism," Thelin said.

"Sometimes things just don't quite go the way everyone plans when a player makes a move, and I think that is the case here.

"He has a lot of experience in the A-League, and with a fresh start, I am sure he'll do well there."

Aberdeen have told Vicente Besuijen he is free to find another club, with the 24-year-old winger who signed in 2022 having another year to run on his contract. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.