Aberdeen

Rangers reduced Celtic's lead in the Scottish Premiership to 13 points as another home victory extended Aberdeen's wretched winless run to 12 matches.

Hamza Igamane, an increasingly talismanic figure, delivered the vital moment once again with a composed finish for the opener and his 13th Rangers goal after a fast start by the hosts.

Substitute Leon Balogun headed in a late back-post second from Clinton Nsiala's deep cross, having earlier hit an upright, and fellow replacement Cyriel Dessers guided in an even later third to seal the win.

Let us know your thoughts on Aberdeen's performance.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "You don't want errors like that, but they happen. We have things to work on.

"Like how we play with the ball, we have to be more composed and find better rhythm in games. We had too many transitions against us, and they are good in transitions.

"The fans' expectations are higher. We are in a challenging time right now, a mix of everything, we are in a bad run, some injuries and new players.

"We have a cup game and one week to the next league game. We need to find the rhythm and stabilise as a team.

"Sometimes when you don't have the rhythm with the ball, the players run and fight for each other. They still tried with everything they had, but it costs a lot of energy when you give away the ball too many times.

"The performances have to be better to deserve the points."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jimmy Thelin has enough credit in the bank for this winless run to not be put his Aberdeen position at risk.

That is an unusual scenario given they have now gone a club-record equalling 12 matches wiithout a victory.

And it's also incredible that there has been a 21-point swing between these sides after Aberdeen's superb opening to this season.

The opening goal was completely avoidable. The nature of it suggested a lack of confidence but the visitors were too open at times and risked going further behind.

They did have moments, but didn't muster enough to put serious doubt in the minds of a Rangers side who are undoubtedly under pressure.

New signings will presumably assist in turning round their fortunes. But they remain in something of a rut and sides below them are closing in.

Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Elgin City is a must-win, as they look to regroup and get back to something resembling the Aberdeen of the start of the campaign.

Aberdeen ended their sequence of defeats with Sunday's draw against Hearts, with the main positive being a first clean sheet since October.

They owe Ross Doohan for that - and the point they earned - after the goalkeeper saved a stoppage-time penalty.

The Dons looked more solid with new centre-half Kristers Tobers settling in with a solid debut alongside Sivert Heltne Nilsen, who was also composed throughout until conceding that late penalty with a clumsy challenge.

However, the winless run goes on with a trip to face Rangers at Ibrox up next in their game in hand. The hosts of this fixture have a home record that matches Celtic's.

It could work both ways. It may be exactly the right game to reignite a season that is threatening to turn into a damp squib.

But, given the Dons haven't won away from home since September and are now one game away from equalling a club record of 12 league games without victory, it is clear that they are big underdogs when they travel to Glasgow.

In their last 107 combined league visits to Celtic Park and Ibrox, the Dons have emerged with maximum points just five times, with three of those coming in Govan.

To threaten Rangers, they will need to improve across the board. One shot on target, too many misplaced passes and a lack of composure in front of goal killed their hopes of picking up a first victory in two months against Hearts.

There is a clear lack of confidence, which is understandable. But there were decent showings from Doohan, Graeme Shinnie and James McGarry in particular.

Hibernian are now the latest team to appear in the rear-view mirror. A gap that could have been 26 points, had the Dons held on for a win at Easter Road in November, is now down to just six.

There is a break from league business at the weekend with a trip to Elgin City in the Scottish Cup on the horizon for Jimmy Thelin. A trip along the A96 to Borough Briggs in the middle of winter appears more trepidatious now than it did when the draw was made.

Another big week begins for the Dons.

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• Rangers have lost just one of their last 12 home games against Aberdeen in all competitions (W9 D2), a 3-1 reverse in September 2023 under Michael Beale.

• Having won 2-1 in October, Jimmy Thelin could become the first Aberdeen manager to win both of his first two league games against Rangers while in charge of the Dons.

• Aberdeen have been beaten in each of their last three away league outings - after only losing one of their previous 11 on the road prior (W5 D5).

• Rangers have won 16 of their last 18 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home league games (D2) since a 0-1 defeat to Hamilton Academical in March 2020.

• After their 2-1 win in October, Aberdeen could earn back-to-back league victories over Rangers for the first time since September 1993 - and the first time within a single season since November 1987.

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller was impressed with new signing Kristers Tobers' thoughtful defending against Heart of Midlothian. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Aberdeen will "always try to strengthen the team" after taking their January signings tally to four, says manager Jimmy Thelin.

Alexander Jensen, Jeppe Okkels, Kristers Tobers and Alfie Dorrington have already joined the Pittodrie club this month.

Thelin expects the most recent arrivals, Jensen and Dorrington, to be available for Wednesday's trip to Rangers.

And the Swede hailed the versatile Jensen's "game understanding" while praising centre-back Dorrington's pace and ability on the ball.

The Dons boss is unsure whether there will be any more incomings in January, but he did not rule out the possibility with the window still open.

"We will always try to strengthen the team," he said. "The window is open, let's see what's happening. Sometimes we don't do anything, sometimes we do."

After a stellar start to the campaign, Aberdeen are aiming to end an 11-game winless run at Ibrox on Wednesday.

And Thelin dismissed the idea that there is no pressure on his side travelling to Govan, adding: "The pressure is always there. You need some pressure to be better."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media prior to his side's trip to Rangers on Wednesday.

Here are the the key lines:

• Thelin says recent January signings are key as injuries have been challenging the squad.

• The Dons boss expects new duo Alexander Jensen and Alfie Dorrington to be available for the trip to Ibrox.

• Thelin was coy on there being any more arrivals at Pittodrie, as well as departures.

• He says the trip to Govan will present a tough challenge and dismissed the suggestion that there is not pressure on Aberdeen, adding that there is always pressure on the team.

• Thelin says he has a clear plan for the game and has called on his players to create more chances for an attack that is struggling to score.

• The Swede was asked about winger Shayden Morris and said he has a bright future but still has things to learn.

• Team news: Centre-back Slobodan Rubezic is still suspended and left-back Jack MacKenzie is out injured.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

As the winless streak extended to 11 games after the goalless draw against Hearts, it's left fans wondering when the run will ever end.

And a trip to Ibrox on Wednesday doesn't fill one with much confidence that it will cease before the weekend's Scottish Cup tie against Elgin.

Jimmy Thelin is six months into the 'three-year project', and with the January transfer window being open, it's provided him with an opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad.

January dealing can be difficult, however the additions of Kristers Tobers from Grasshoppers and Jeppe Okkels on loan from Preston look shrewd pieces of business, while yesterday's captures of Alfie Dorrington and Alexander Jensen show Thelin has been putting in the hours.

Our defence has been in desperate need of a leader, and the signing of Latvia captain Tobers should strengthen a defence who've been leaking goals for fun in recent weeks.

In addition to the new faces, Ante Palaversa signing a two-year contract extension brought a smile. Tieing down a quality midfielder, with an eye on next season, we are seeing signs of a squad being built with 'Thelin's stamp' on it.

Two weeks into the window, we can't argue the board aren't backing the manager, while the fans will continue to back him too. Performances are there, we just need results to follow.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

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New signing Alfie Dorrington hopes he can emulate Tottenham Hotspur team-mate James Maddison with an impactful loan stint at Aberdeen.

The 19-year-old defender has joined the Pittodrie club until the end of the season on loan from Ange Postecoglou's side in search of "a platform to perform".

Down in North London, he shared a dressing room with England international Maddison who spent the first half of the 2016-17 season on loan at the Dons from Norwich City.

Maddison secured his spot in fan folklore with a sensational last-minute free-kick winner against Rangers in the Granite City, and Dorrington hopes he too can endear himself to the home fans.

"I've done my research and saw that James Maddison came here when he was a similar age to me. The impact he had was amazing," the centre-back told club media.

"I've seen the goal he scored against Rangers in the last minute. It was a big performance from him really.

"It was a stepping stone in his career as well, because he kind of put his name on the map and then just gave him the platform to perform on the highest level possible for him."

Dorrington wasn't the only signing for the Dons on Monday, with "versatile" Alexander Jensen joining on a four-year deal.

The 23-year-old revealed "it's nice to feel so wanted" by a club like Aberdeen, after Jimmy Thelin revealed the club have been pursuing this deal for months.

"Aberdeen is a big club and I feel this is the right step for my career," the Swede told club media.

"The club were determined in their pursuit of me so it feels nice to be so wanted.

"I look forward to playing in front of the supporters and showing them what I can do. I will give everything I can for the team this season and in the future."

New Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers, 24, was recommended to Celtic and Rangers in 2017. (Sun), external

Playing part-time with Peterhead has helped former Aberdeen attacker Peter Pawlett, 33, put injuries behind him. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen "feels like home already" for Alfie Dorrington, who has joined on loan from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.

The defender, who made his senior debut in December for Ange Postecoglou's side, "wanted to get up here as soon as possible" after holding talks with manager Jimmy Thelin.

"It's amazing to finally be here and everyone has been so welcoming," the 19-year-old said after training with the Dons on Monday.

"It feels like home already. I know it's a big club with a lot of history and the supporters are really passionate so it was a no brainer for me.

"As soon as I spoke to the manager and heard about what he wants to achieve here, I just wanted to get up here as soon as possible. I believe the way he wants to play will suit my style and he just wants this to be the best part of my career.

"It's my first loan so I want to start as many games as I can, work hard and I hope I can repay the faith the manager has shown in me."

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"Calm" Kristers Tobers impressed manager Jimmy Thelin on his Aberdeen debut, but the Dons "must be careful" with the Latvia captain.

Tobers played 66 minutes against Hearts on Sunday in what was his first match since playing for previous club Grasshoppers five weeks ago.

The 24-year-old was enjoying a winter break before joining the Pittodrie club last week, but he didn't look like a player who's been out in the cold recently.

"I think Kristers did really well," said Thelin after the 0-0 draw. "He is a calm player, he can organise a team.

"We have to have in mind that we also have to take him off because he has come in from a between season (winter break in Switzerland) where he didn't train so much.

"We have to be careful about him, but in a new team, after one-and-a-half training sessions and he did that performance. It was really good."

Thelin's side are back in action away to Rangers on Wednesday and although they remain without a win in 11 matches, he is hoping the clean sheet and the fact they halted a five-game losing run on Sunday, can boost the morale of his squad.

"It's been a while, so it's important to have that feeling," he said of the clean sheet. "Especially the goals we get against us in the last couple of games is too easy.

"We were focused on being better collectively and it's important to have a clean sheet because it gives us a chance to win a game.

"It's difficult if you always get two goals against you and you have to score three to win and then create the stress. It was good to have a clean sheet and also use the positive parts like we stopped losing games."

Watch Sportscene analysis of Aberdeen's 0-0 draw against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kristers Tobers: A great debut for the Latvia captain. Looked at home straight away and his distribution was excellent.

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 0-0 draw against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Darral: All I can say is what has gone wrong? Lacking cutting edge, creativity and an out-and-out finisher. Bojan Miovski was the heart and soul of that team and we are seeing now what life is like without him, but, in Jimmy we trust!

Dick: Aberdeen were the better team in the first half and should have had it sown up by half-time. They need more pressure in the box or a different type of striker.

They have tightened up the defence and given the midfield the confidence to start passing with tempo again. Doolan's penalty save was top drawer.

Karl: Aberdeen can retain possession fine. We can also pass it about relatively fine. The problem is our midfield don't seem to want to commit themselves to the box to flood it when our wingers break. We often have a winger ready to cross a ball into a box with only a striker waiting and being marked by at least six-seven players.

John: It is essential that the club gets a proven striker in place as soon as possible. Send Nisbet back down south he is not the answer to our problem.

Is Miovski getting a game over in Spain? Get him back on loan. If we don't score goals we are putting pressure on a shaky defence.

Barry: Ross Doohan deserves all the credit coming his way. Fair play to the man, he's definitely up for it. And if we had a Miovski upfront we'd have been 3-0 up at half-time. We have to get a decent striker in this window - it's an absolute must or we will continue to toil.

Fred: Started well but ended in our usual shambles. Will the new signings improve the team? The jury must still be out. Unfortunately I have real doubt about the judgement of our new manager. We need new strikers as without this we will not win another game. Another acid test against Rangers.

Anon: The Dons can't buy a win at the moment. Lots of effort but again poor distribution at key times is costing them dearly.

Watch highlights of Aberdeen's 0-0 draw against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.

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• Aberdeen have failed to win in their last 11 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 24 January 2024 to 13 March 2024.

• Hearts have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer run of games without conceding a goal in the competition was a run of seven games from 9 December 2017 to 24 January 2018.

• Hearts are undefeated in their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 11 May 2024 to 3 August 2024.

• Hearts have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 14 of their 23 games, only Dundee United (15) and Celtic (20) have done this more often in the league this season.