Could Samson be next to exit Pittodrie? - gossippublished at 09:07 7 June
09:07 7 June
Hibernian have added £1m to David Gray's playing budget after giving him the head coach job permanently and aim to appoint Heart of Midlothian B team boss Liam Fox as his assistant, are keen to make Liam Craig a first-team coach, while Aberdeen goalkeeping coach Craig Samson is also being considered. (Daily Record), external
Johnny Hayes is poised to return to Celtic in a role working with younger players after the 36-year-old winger rejected an offer to remain with Aberdeen. (Scottish Sun), external
Rangers have received enquiries from multiple English Football League clubs about Robby McCrorie, with Aberdeen among Scottish clubs to have registered an interest, after the 26-year-old goalkeeper rejected a contract extension beyond next June at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external
Hayes leaves Aberdeen after turning down coaching role published at 13:28 6 June
13:28 6 June
Image source, SNS
Jonny Hayes has turned down a coaching role with Aberdeen and announced his departure from the club.
The 36-year-old winger ran out 352 times for the Dons across two spells, ranking 16th in the Pittodrie outfit's all-time appearance list.
In a club statement, Aberdeen confirmed the former Republic of Ireland international was offered a role within the youth academy, but instead "has opted to pursue senior coaching opportunities at professional level elsewhere."
After scoring 38 goals for the club and lifting the League Cup in 2013, Hayes says he will remain a supporter despite choosing to move on.
“It’s been a privilege to represent this fantastic club”, he said.
“I’ve been fortunate to have played in many important games, and of course, play my part in delivering a trophy for the fans, who have supported me incredibly throughout the years.
"I’ve always given my best, both on and off the field, and tried to uphold the values of Aberdeen FC.
“The future is bright for the club and although I won’t be playing at Pittodrie anymore, I’ll always be a supporter of the club and city and I wish everyone associated with AFC all the very best going forward.”
BBC extends Scottish Cup deal for five yearspublished at 13:26 6 June
13:26 6 June
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BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.
The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.
The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".
The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.
Ramsay seals loan move to Maloney's Wiganpublished at 09:27 6 June
09:27 6 June
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Calvin Ramsay's sole Scotland outing so far came in a 2-1 friendly defeat by Turkey in November 2022
Scotland cap Calvin Ramsay says he felt an "instant connection" with manager Shaun Maloney before sealing a season-long loan move to Wigan Athletic from Liverpool.
Former Aberdeen full-back Ramsay will spend next term with the League One outfit after injury troubles curtailed his game-time during previous loan spells at Bolton and Preston.
The 20-year-old earned Aberdeen a club record £4.2m fee when he moved to Anfield on a five-year deal in June 2022, and made his Scotland debut later that year.
But he has featured just twice for the Reds amid fitness problems and is now looking to relaunch his career under former Scotland and Celtic forward Maloney.
Ramsay told the Wigan website: "I am over the moon. It happened quickly and I met the manager two weeks ago.
"I had a really good conversation, and there was an instant connection. I’m excited for the start of the season. It’s a good opportunity at a good club, and I am raring to go."
Cerny backs Thelin at Aberdeen - gossippublished at 08:15 6 June
Should Premiership keep VAR or scrap it?published at 15:30 5 June
15:30 5 June
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Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.
From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.
With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?
'Very difficult' to see Miovski at Aberdeen next seasonpublished at 12:59 5 June
12:59 5 June
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Jimmy Thelin is taking over an Aberdeen team with foundations in place to be successful, but the new Pittodrie boss could lose two of the side's key cogs.
That's according to the Press and Journal's Ryan Cryle, who says it will be "very difficult" for the Dons to hold on to talismanic striker Bojan Miovski this summer.
He also expects Aberdeen academy product Connor Barron, whose contract expires this summer, to see his future away from Pittodrie.
Meanwhile, Kelle Roos, who has polarised opinion within the fanbase, is "pretty much expected" to move on, meaning a goalkeeper will be a priority for Thelin.
Since signing for the Dons in 2022, Miovski has bagged 44 goals in 95 games, while key midfielder Barron has played 76 times since making his debut in 2020.
Those potential departures could make a busy summer even more hectic for the incoming manager.
"And it looks like Barron is leaving the club at the end of his contract, he's been heavily linked to Bologna and other clubs in Italy.
"Although he's officially started, I believe Thelin isn't actually going to be in Aberdeen until next week at some point.
"But my understanding is there's been loads of communication with the likes of Peter Leven, Alan Burrows and Steven Gunn, plenty of chat about what they'll be doing for pre-season and early stages of the recruitment process.
"It'll maybe be a slower burn under Thelin. He takes his time to kind of get the right pieces in place for the style of play, it might take him a couple of seasons, maybe 18 months, to get the right players and positions."
Aberdeen may have to pay £500,000 for McCrorie - gossippublished at 07:59 5 June
07:59 5 June
Image source, BBC Sport
Robby McCrorie has turned down a new contract at Rangers and a transfer request has been on the table since January from the 26-year-old goalkeeper, who is already attracting interest from Aberdeen. (Record), external
Rangers will demand at least £500,000 plus add-ons to sell McCrorie in the current transfer window. (Record), external
Dons linked with McCrorie move - gossippublished at 13:36 4 June
13:36 4 June
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New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin rejected a lucrative job in Belgium because he was more interested in the project of rebuilding the Scottish Premiership side. (The Press and Journal, external)
Thelin started identifying transfer targets for Aberdeen weeks before leaving Elfsborg, Pittodrie director Willie Garner has confirmed, in order to 'hit the ground running'. (The Press and Journal, external)
One of those players could be Robbie McCrorie, after the Rangers goalkeeper rejected a new contract at Ibrox amid talk of a summer move to Pittodrie. (Daily Record, external)
'Exciting times' or cautious optimism for Aberdeen?published at 12:40 4 June
12:40 4 June
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Manager Jimmy Thelin will lead Aberdeen into the new campaign
"Exciting times" could be on the horizon for Aberdeen under new manager Jimmy Thelin, says ex-Pittodrie striker Lee Miller, but recent history has shown how quickly things can turn.
The Swede is the club's fifth managerial appointment in just three years following the brief tenures of Stephen Glass, Jim Goodwin, Barry Robson and Neil Warnock.
Thelin moves to Scotland having narrowly missed out on the Swedish top-flight title on goal difference with Elfsborg last year and leaves with the club in ninth after 13 games of the current campaign.
His task is to revitalise an Aberdeen side who endured a disappointing league season, finishing in the bottom half of the Premiership.
"I was actually up in Aberdeen at the weekend there playing a charity match and I spoke to a few Aberdeen fans who are quite happy to buy in," Miller said on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.
"That's alright saying that before he comes in the door, right? They're alright buying in to the three-year project, he's going to build a squad, he's going to do this and that.
"See if he doesn't hit the ground running these first couple of months, I'll go back and ask those same fans that exact question.
"So it'll be interesting. It's still exciting times up in Aberdeen in terms of the ethos and the process going forward. We'll see what happens."
Can Thelin finally bring stability to Aberdeen? published at 13:15 3 June
13:15 3 June
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, BBC
Is this the 'Don' of a new era for Aberdeen?
The Pittodrie faithful will certainly be hoping so, after remaining patient over the past few months.
On 16 April, the club announced that Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin had been appointed as their new boss.
Having stayed in his homeland to preside over the opening part of Elfsborg’s domestic campaign – today is the day he has officially taken the reins in the Granite City.
And those of a red persuasion will be hoping the 46-year-old can bring the one thing he has been accustomed to in his managerial career so far – success.
In his six years in charge of Elfsborg, he turned ‘The Yellow Ones’ into Swedish title contenders. Thelin masterminded two second-place finishes in the Allsvenskan. It was only goal difference that prevented them from finishing top of the pile last term.
He boasts a hugely impressive CV, but can he add to it Aberdeen?
Thelin – who has taken his Elfsborg assistants Christer Persson and Emir Bajrami to the North East – certainly has a busy inbox.
While Peter Leven, who will also be part of his coaching staff, did a magnificent job of steadying the Aberdeen ship on a caretaker basis in the latter part of the campaign – steering Aberdeen to seventh – Thelin will have to breathe life into a squad which vastly underachieved last term.
Despite their poor Premiership showing, the Dons end of season form, where they were unbeaten in nine league games, is proof that he will have plenty of talent to work with. It's a solid foundation upon which to build.
How the Swede would love to be able to call upon the services of Bojan Miovski next term.
It is not surprising the player is again being linked with a number of big money moves elsewhere, and it looks like the club’s resolve may well be tested on that front over the coming weeks.
Money talks, and if it does, Thelin will have to find a way of replacing that source of goals – something that will be a far from easy task.
Over the last number of weeks I have spoken to various people with an interest in Swedish football. They have all said that he has the skillset to be a real success with Aberdeen, if he is given time.
And it looks he is going to be afforded just that, as the Pittodrie hierarchy aim for a much needed spell of managerial stability.
'Thelin reveals long-term Aberdeen link' - gossippublished at 08:37 3 June
08:37 3 June
Jimmy Thelin, who suffered a 1-0 defeat by Gothenburg in his final game in charge of Elfsborg before starting his job as Aberdeen manager on Monday, has revealed that the Scottish Premiership club had been monitoring his progress even before he moved from Jönköpings Södra in 2018. (Gothenburg Post via Press & Journal), external
Zerouali, Varga & Windass - Aberdeen's best cult hero signingspublished at 11:01 2 June
11:01 2 June
We asked you to name Aberdeen's best cult hero signings - the player who showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Davis: All day it's Hicham Zerouali, closely followed by Derek Young.
Cameron: I was fortunate to see Zoltan Varga wear the red shirt. he stood out through his composure and skill. Still a hero of mine to this day.
Anon: Has to Ylber Ramadani for me. Arrived with not much people knowing who he was and since he's left the midfield doesn't look like they know what they are doing.
Allan: Without a shadow of doubt the late, great Varga. Saw him play at Fir Park for the Dons and he was sublime, just ghosted about the pitch.
Russell: Who could forget Andy Dow's 1999-2000 season when he was briefly to become the greatest player on the planet?
Anon: Undoubtedly Joe Harper, he arrived having not done well at either Huddersfield or Morton but became the ultimate club hero and record goal scorer. He never looked like an athlete but was one of the most consistent strikers I have ever seen.
Calum: Dean Windass, a brilliant addition for us and a real cult hero of mine. He was arguably too rough and tumble for our referees, but what a guy to have around. Had the pleasure to meet him many years later at a social function and he was just as I imagined he would be.
Thelin oversees final Elsfborg game ahead of Aberdeen movepublished at 17:00 1 June
17:00 1 June
Image source, Getty Images
Jimmy Thelin has said his goodbyes to Elfsborg after overseeing his final game in charge of the Swedish side.
His successful tenure ended in disappointment after Gotenburg edged out a 1-0 win, leaving Elfsborg ninth in the Allsvenskan after 13 games.
Thelin's assistants Emir Bajrami and Christer Persson will also move to Pittodrie with him.
Elfsborg finished runners-up in the Swedish top-flight last term, missing out on the league title on goal difference alone.
Miovski's stock continues to risepublished at 16:46 31 May
16:46 31 May
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Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski's transfer market value has risen after another impressive season at Pittodrie, according to Transfermarkt.
The North Macedonia international has scored 44 goals in 95 appearances for the Dons since signing in 2022 from Hungarian side MTK.
The transfers and market value website now value the 24-year-old at €4m - a rise of €1.5m.
With two years remaining on Miovski's Aberdeen contract, you suspect any bids would have to be north of that figure to prize him away from Pittodrie.
Thelin's Dons debut at Queen of the Southpublished at 15:16 31 May
15:16 31 May
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Jimmy Thelin's first competitive game in charge of Aberdeen will be away to Queen of the South as the Dons open their Premier Sports Cup campaign.
The Pittodrie side travel to Palmerston Park on Saturday 13 July, with a 5.15 kick-off live on TV.
Aberdeen will also be reunited with former Darvel boss Mick Kennedy as they head to K-Park a week later, before hosting Airdrieonians and Dumbarton.
Fixtures
Queen of the South v Aberdeen - Saturday, 13 July (17:15 BST)
East Kilbride v Aberdeen - Saturday, 20 July (15:00 BST)
Aberdeen v Airdrieonians - Tuesday, 23 July (19:45 BST)
Aberdeen v Dumbarton - Saturday 27 July (15:00 BST)
Who is Aberdeen's best cult hero signing? published at 13:15 30 May
13:15 30 May
Players come and go, but sometimes a new face will arrive and win the hearts of supporters unexpectedly.
Who's the lesser-remembered player that showed up at Aberdeen with little expectation and perhaps had more passion than talent, but turned into a hero loved across the fanbase?
SPFL breaks attendance record for second consecutive yearpublished at 10:50 30 May
10:50 30 May
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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.
Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.
The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.
A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.
Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.
Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.
“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."
Aberdeen learn their Premier Sports Cup opponentspublished at 13:12 29 May
13:12 29 May
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Jimmy Thelin's first games as Aberdeen boss will be in the Premier Sports Cup next season where the Dons have been drawn with Championship side Airdrieonians as well as Queen of the South, Dumbarton and East Kilbride in Group A.
The group stage gets under way on the weekend of 13-14 July and wraps up on 27-28 July.
The eight group winners and three best runners-up join European participants Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the last 16 on the weekend of August 17-18.
