Aberdeen

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Jimmy Thelin has hailed Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski after his first appearance of the season for the club amid continuing speculation about the striker's future.

The North Macedonian international was a half-time substitute as the Dons came back from goal down to Airdrie to win 2-1.

Miovski missed the first two group games of the League Cup, as transfer talk continues to surround him, but Thelin was quick to praise his striker for his showing against the Championship side.

“We take it day by day," the Dons boss said. "He was ready to play and he showed on the pitch that he was giving everything for Aberdeen, the club and the fans.

“He’s an amazing player. He is clever in the pressing and connects with other players in our build-up. He’s a top player.”

The new head coach said he was pleased with his side's fightback after Airdrie's strong first-half performance.

“We were a little wrong in our positions and late in situations and they could switch us too much," he said.

“But the good thing is how we reacted at half-time, how we prepared ourselves and came out with a lot more energy and power in our press, more intensity in our transitions and how we attacked the goal.

“We did really, really well in the second half. It was a tough game but the team found a way to win.”

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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Gavin Molloy says his Shelbourne experience meant he was prepared for Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin's philosophy.

Defender Molloy, who has started in both the Dons' League Cup group wins this term, benefitted from Damien Duff's high-intensity system at his previous club in Ireland.

And the 22-year-old feels that has played a role in quickly integrating him into Thelin's side, who play at Pittodrie for the first time this season when they welcome Airdrieonians on Tuesday night.

"I've done the best I can and settled in with the lads," Molloy said.

"In Ireland we played this way with Shelbourne, we liked to play intense and aggressive. I'm fully used to it.

On experiencing an Aberdeen home support this week, he added: "I'm really excited to play in front of them. I can't wait to step out there and I expect it to be a really good atmosphere."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin can't wait for his first taste of the Pittodrie atmosphere when his side take on Airdrieonians in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Both sides have six points from their opening two games with Airdrieonians top of the group on goal difference, and Thelin hopes his side can go above their Championship opponents.

"It’s going to be really nice to play at home and get the feeling of that and meet the supporters there – everything surrounding playing at home for the first time at this club, I’m looking forward to it,” said Thelin. "I’m really excited. Hopefully it is going to be a good evening.

"When there are tough times on the pitch, the fans can be the big difference. The extra energy, extra support. That’s the energy you need sometimes when you are heavy in the legs."

Thelin also revealed striker Bojan Miovski is set to make his first appearance of the season, despite speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

"He will be in the squad," said Thelin. "So far everything is like it was last week and tomorrow he will be in the squad ready to play. In the beginning he was not 100 per cent, but now he is 100 per cent.

"We had a talk before the first cup game as there were a lot of things going around him, so we calmed down the situation a little bit and focused on the training. Now he is ready to play again and that is where we are right now."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been talking to the media before his side's League Cup group stage match against Airdrieonians on Tuesday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Thelin says his players are all working towards the same goal, but he says they still have a lot of room for growth.

• Star striker Bojan Miovski is "ready to play" after sitting out the Dons' previous cup games against Queen of the South and East Kilbride.

• The Swedish boss was reluctant to talk about potential transfer business, just saying "let’s see what happens by the last day of the window".

• Says Aberdeen will need to be "really sharp" to beat Airdrieonians, who he was full of praise for: "They play with overloads the areas around the box, a lot more crosses, a lot more switches".

• Before his first competitive game in charge at Pittodrie, Thelin says he expects the Aberdeen fans to make a big difference for his side this season. "When there are tough times on the pitch, the fans can be the big difference," he said. "The extra energy, extra support."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was full of praise for winger Vicente Besuijen after the winger made his first appearance for the club in 18 months.

Besuijen started as the Dons cruised to a 4-0 League Cup victory over East Kilbride on Saturday, having last featured in the dismal Scottish Cup to Darvel in January 2023.

Since then, the 23-year-old has played all of his football on loan at Dutch sides Excelsior and Emmen.

However, Thelin has offered Besuijen a fresh start at Pittodrie.

"I want to give the players opportunities to show themselves," Thelin said.

"Vinny has had some problems with the hamstring in the last weeks, but that was his first game, and while he was fresh, he did well.

"He can’t play 90 [minutes] yet because he hasn’t trained fully, but he did well. He protected the ball well, he found some combinations, and he worked hard."

Forward Pape Habib Gueye, 24, could be used as a winger after returning to Aberdeen from a loan spell at Kristiansund BK. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie says Saturday's League Cup trip to East Kilbride is "massive" as the Dons target another strong cup run.

They lost 1-0 to Rangers in last year's final, a game MacKenzie missed through suspension.

The Dons opened their Group A account this time around with a 3-0 win at League 1 Queen of the South, and MacKenzie is taking nothing for granted against lower-league opposition.

"We got to the final last year so we are looking to go one better this year," he said.

"Obviously not being in Europe means we have to play these group-stage games but if we don’t take them seriously and we don’t win these games then we wont have a chance of getting to Hampden come November, December.

"These games are massive and they are must-win games.

"We have got three points to gain to put ourselves at the top of the group so I think the motivation is there."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has praised the "positive energy" around the club, and insists no-one is focused "on the wrong priorities" amid an ongoing situation Duk.

Last week the club issued a statement saying they were taking disciplinary action against the Cape Verde forward after he "failed to report to training and is currently absent without permission".

Before Saturday's League Cup trip to East Kilbride, Thelin said he can't "make any further comment".

However, the Swedish manager insists he has no concerns about the matter casting a cloud over his squad.

"It is a positive energy here," he added. "Everybody is focused, everybody is enjoying training and the focus is on the right spot.

"[We are] trying to build something strong here for the league season but also take these cup games really respectfully. We try to improve things and try to find ways to win and develop from where we are right now.

"I haven’t felt that anybody’s focus is on the wrong priorities right now."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media ahead of Aberdeen's League Cup trip to East Kilbride this weekend.

Here are the key points he made:

• With regards to the ongoing situation with Duk, Thelin said he "can’t make any further comment on that right now, so it is the same situation as last week".

• When asked if the situation could cast a shadow over things until it is resolved, he said there is a "positive energy" around the club and that everyone is focused on the correct priorities.

• Thelin confirmed Bojan Miovski will be in the squad for tomorrow's game after leaving him out last weekend. He said, "he has behaved really well, he is pushing himself in training and so my feeling is he is good about that situation."

• On facing East Kilbride, the manager said, “everybody can beat everyone, but we have to be focussed on our things and always have respect".

• He added he believes the players have "answered really well" to what he and his staff are asking of them, while admitting, "in the beginning there can be some small setbacks, but so far, so good."

• The Aberdeen manager finally confirmed Dante Polvara has had surgery on his injured hamstring and is the only fitness issue ahead of the game.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin expressed his delight at midfielder David Babunski's Dundee United introduction after revealing a previous attempt to sign him for Aberdeen.

The former Barcelona youth graduate and North Macedonia international joined from Hungarian side Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet this week and made his first outing in United colours against Stenhousemuir on the same day.

It is a case of second time lucky for Goodwin, who tried to recruit the 30-year-old during his stint at Pittodrie.

"I have known David for about three years now," the United boss said. "I have built up a good network of contacts in eastern Europe.

"At [Aberdeen] we had done a good bit of business in that league with the likes of Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani. David was one we also tried to get, but unfortunately we couldn’t make a deal happen.

"I don’t want to put too much pressure on the lad, but he has had a great education in the game at arguably the best academy in world football.

"The lads have been asking him about the certain players he has trained with over the years. He has got a nice picture of himself with Lionel Messi.

"So he has done things in the game that some of us could only dream of and you can see his technical ability. You can see what he brings, he is a very calming influence and will demand the ball in tight areas."

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Aberdeen legend Neil Simpson has decided to leave the club after a long association with the Dons.

Simpson was part of the squad that beat Real Madrid to win the Cup Winners' Cup in Gothenburg in 1983, and made over 300 appearances for Aberdeen during his playing career.

Simpson then returned to Aberdeen in 2001 to lead the Dons Community coaching initiative, before becoming head of the club's academy set-up.

He most recently worked as Aberdeen's pathways manager, but will now pursue a "new opportunity" outside of football.

"Simmy will always be remembered as a Dons legend and Gothenburg great," Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said.

"But he has also been a fantastic and loyal servant to the club off the pitch for over two decades.

"During this time, he has been a tremendous Aberdeen FC ambassador, a leader and champion of our successful youth development programme and a valued mentor to so many of our young players, helping them progress their careers and transition to the first team.

“It’s understandable that, after such a long spell with the club, he’s looking for a different challenge so he can spend more time with his family and watch his son Kyle play for Inverurie Locos. Their gain will very much be our loss.

"We’re pleased however that he’ll remain in touch with a frequent presence at Pittodrie for many years to come."

Genoa have joined Serie A rivals Bologna in expressing an interest in 24-year-old Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who will be available for a figure close to £6.7m. (Calcio Mercato), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos has joined third-tier Italian club Triestina.

The 32-year-old Dutchman spent two seasons as the Pittodrie number one following his exit from Derby County.

His Dons departure was confirmed in mid-June and he has agreed a three-year deal with the Serie C side.

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Centre-half Gavin Molloy says he turned his back on playing for Shelbourne in Europa Conference League qualifying because joining Aberdeen this summer was too big an opportunity to miss. (Press & Journal), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish football gossip here.

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Ester Sokler didn't exactly set the heather alight in his first season at Pittodrie.

Forty appearances, just seven starts, and four goals were the Slovenian forward's return.

There may be more to come in a fresh start under a new boss for Sokler, who opened this campaign with a double last weekend as the Jimmy Thelin era got under way with a 3-0 League Cup win at Queen of the South.

Former Dons goalkeeper and skipper Joe Lewis certainly believes so. Lewis, who briefly worked with the 25-year-old last summer before his Pittodrie exit, says Sokler can step up and fill the void should Bojan Miovski be prised away this summer.

"You try your best [to keep Miovski] but you're silly if you keep him at all costs," Lewis told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Everyone has their price. I've actually got a lot of confidence in Sokler to step up and fill his boots because it's a very difficult role and he was only playing a bit part, coming on here and there and starting the odd game.

"But I thought he did really well and he showed some real signs of what quality he can bring.

"So if it does end up being that Bojan leaves, I'm confident Ester can step up."

Lewis believes the Red Army are desperate to see an "identity" to the team under Thelin.

"That might not bring results straight away," he added. "You do need some results to get people to buy into it. You can't just expect people to buy into something that's not getting results.

"I don't think Thelin is going to try and overplay at the back. But, for example, when teams do try and do that, the anxiety that that can cause in a stadium when the supporters aren't used to that can have an effect on the team.

"I think they would love to see a high-intensity pressing team who press hard against the bigger, better teams in the league as well."

Having analysed Jimmy Thelin's Elfsborg team, JJ Bull of The Athletic lays out what tactical approach he expects from the Swede during his Aberdeen tenure.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

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Aberdeen goalkeeper Tom Ritchie has gone out on loan again, joining League 2 Bonnyrigg Rose for the season.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last term at Buckie Thistle in the Highland League.

Ritchie featured on the bench for the Dons against Celtic at the start of last season but has yet to make his debut for the club.

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Can new boss Jimmy Thelin revitalise Aberdeen after last season's disappointing seventh-place finish?

JJ Bull, a Dons fan and football analyst for The Athletic, hopes to see a team infused with "good ideas" and says a third or fourth-place league finish is the minimum this term.

"I think success would look like seeing a team that sort of represents or embodies what you as a fan want to see on the pitch," Bull told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"So a team that works really hard, has good ideas and doesn't fold over.

"People always say have a go at Celtic and Rangers but what does that mean? Do you defend them and hit them in transit? There's loads of different things.

"You just want them to be a team that you can say we've got a real chance in all these games. That's what you want to see rather than thinking, 'God, here we go again.'

"Clearly, getting to the later rounds of the cups is important. And I think we should always be around there.

"Fourth or third [in the league], you should be looking at. That's the ceiling. You're not going to get any higher than that. So I think that's what we should be looking at."