Aberdeen

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen's third-place hopes suffered a blow with the news that goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov is likely to miss up to a month because of a shoulder injury sustained playing for Bulgaria against Republic of Ireland in the Nations League relegation play-off.

It will be Mitov's third spell on the sidelines this season and he will now be doubtful for the Dons' Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts next month too.

The 28-year-old's absence - which means a return to the starting XI for Ross Doohan - is a major headache for manager Jimmy Thelin given the importance of every remaining match in their season.

As the domestic action resumes, Aberdeen welcome Motherwell to Pittodrie this weekend with the split just three games away.

The stadium will be sold out, in part helped by a ticket initiative by the club although home matches have been very well attended by Dons supporters this season.

It still seems ludicrous that Thelin's men still haven't confirmed a top-half finish by this point after they came roaring out of the blocks.

They face a Motherwell team unbeaten in three games and sitting in seventh spot, just a point outside the top six. An away win would reduce the gap between these two to just two points so it's an important match.

However, a home victory would ensure Aberdeen will be playing their post-split fixtures for a shot at European football.

And with a tricky trip to Dingwall and a visit from Europa League quarter-finalists Rangers to come, three points would ease the pressure on Thelin as it would be unthinkable that they finish in the bottom half.

Former striker Duncan Shearer has questioned whether Aberdeen can cope without goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, who has been ruled out for a month with a shoulder injury. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

No player has been called on from the bench in the Scottish Premiership than Shayden Morris.

The Aberdeen midfielder has made 24 substitute appearances in 30 games this season.

Do his cameo showings merit more than the six starts he's been given?

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, 28, has been ruled out for a month. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

We asked for your Aberdeen player of the year - and the biggest disappointment.

Here's what some of you said:

Donald: Shayden Morris has been fantastic for the Dons this season, creating chances, energy, attacking! To me he's been our standout performer so far. The big letdown for me has been Jamie McGrath signing a pre-contract with Hibs, very disappointing!

Justin: Pape Gueye at the start of the season was tremendous but it's been a bit of a letdown with his recent performances. Kevin Nisbet looking better now though so hopefully all will be well.

John: Impossible to pick a POTY due to the high turnover of the squad in January. The biggest disappointment has undoubtedly been Leighton Clarkson.

Neil: Player of the season is tough. Absolutely anyone up until the League Cup semi, absolutely no one thereafter. The last few weeks have been important and I'd make a case for captain Graeme Shinnie or winger Topi Keskinen, but overall I'd say Dimitar Mitov was solid when we did well, injured when we did terribly and has been back during the improvement. Worst player... I wish him all the very best, but Slobodan Rubezic has not been missed.

John: Jeppe Okkels big disappointment. Kristers Tobers has been excellent.

Alan: My standout at the start of the season was Gueye but then his injury prevented him continuing his form. There are a couple of others who could be my player of the season; Ante Palaversa, Keskinen and Nesbit. I reckon Morris has been the biggest transformation though. Long may it continue.

Andy: That's a tough one. Has there been a standout, consistent performer? For me it would have to be Palaversa. I don't want to pick out a disappointment. Too many candidates.

Image source, Getty

Aberdeen face a fresh injury concern over Dimitar Mitov after the goalkeeper was forced off in Bulgaria's Nations League play-off first-leg defeat by Republic of Ireland.

Mitov was tempted off his line by a Josh Cullen delivery and collided with Matt Doherty as the defender scored what turned out to be Ireland's winner in the 42nd minute of the 2-1 comeback victory in Plovdiv.

Aberdeen keeper Mitov was left writhing in pain following his misjudgement and replaced for the second half by Plamen Iliev.

The 28-year-old returned to the Dons squad last month after missing eight games with a hamstring injury.

Reports in Serbia claim Novi Pazar have the option to sign Aberdeen centre-half Slobodan Rubezic, who is on loan at his former club, on a permanent deal this summer, but they are unlikely to be able to afford the required fee for the 25-year-old. (Press & Journal), external

Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris, who is contracted until summer 2026, is ready to talk about extending his stay at Pittodrie. (Press & Journal), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

With just eight Premiership games left, we're down to the business end of the season.

Player reputations have been enhanced - or sullied - with their performances throughout the campaign.

As thoughts begin to turn to end-of-term awards, we want to know your Aberdeen player of the season so far - and the biggest flop.

Share your views

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

If Aberdeen-St Johnstone games were wiped from the fixture list I don't think the supporters of either would be terribly disappointed.

In the past 21 meetings there have only been 29 goals scored so it came as no surprise that Saturday's game in Perth ended goalless. It was one of the worst games of the season.

It was a drab afternoon in the Fair City with Aberdeen producing a familiar blend of possession with no cutting edge.

Kevin Nisbet had two efforts on target in the first half but that was it. Indeed, Saints' Makenzie Kirk spurned the best opportunity early in the game with former McDiarmid keeper Dimitar Mitov producing an outstanding save.

The only real plus on the day for Jimmy Thelin and his hopes of finishing third was Kilmarnock's late equaliser against Hibernian in Ayrshire.

The Dons have looked better in recent weeks but their record stands at just two Premiership wins in their past 19 attempts. One of Thelin's biggest problems remains creatively and in particular, being able to break through a side that sits in against them as Saints did for large spells at the weekend.

At Celtic Park recently, Aberdeen produced several gilt-edged chances but that was against a team that took the game to them.

Given the budgetary difference between the Dons and St Johnstone, there should be a chasm between them but in truth it's an even game.

The international break has arrived and it was after the last one that Aberdeen's season began to unravel.

They have three huge games before the split with visits from Motherwell and Rangers either side of a trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County.

There's no longer margin for error.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Consistency is the key at this stage of the season. Teams around us dropped points at the weekend but we failed to capitalise.

I guess if you're a glass-half-full kind of person then we haven't lost ground in the race for third.

I can't help but feel it is an opportunity missed to get back there, especially as we were facing bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone.

In our previous outing, the cup win over Queen's Park, Leighton Clarkson and Ante Palaversa controlled the game from midfield. Their quality and range of passing was a joy to behold.

On Saturday, though, Clarkson was dropped to the bench, with captain Graeme Shinnie replacing him and Jack MacKenzie returning at left-back. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it feels like we set up to match St Johnstone's combative style rather than play our own game.

There's a slight feeling of if it ain't broke don't fix it with the starting XI, especially on the back of the impressive first 45 minutes of the cup victory.

Another concern is the impact, or severe lack of, from those coming off the bench. We are creating chances but not being clinical.

We can't rely on teams to keep dropping points. We need to step up and put the race for third back in our own hands. There's plenty to work on over the international break for Jimmy Thelin and his staff.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Watch as Sportscene pundits Stephen McGinn and Steven Naismith analyse Aberdeen's display in the 1-1 draw at St Johnstone. (Available to UK users only)

Defender Alfie Dorrington, 19, feels up to speed as he aims to help Aberdeen's push for a strong end to the season. (Record), external

Manager Jimmy Thelin believes the current international break will benefit Aberdeen's players. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Dimitar Mitov (Aberdeen): The Dons keeper showed he is a great shot stopper again by keeping another clean sheet against former club St Johnstone.

Coach Peter Leven has rejected overtures from St Johnstone and Raith Rovers to remain at Aberdeen - and he now has a more integral role under Jimmy Thelin. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Watch all the action from St Johnstone and Aberdeen's goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Dons fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's goalless draw against St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Scott: We didn't play poorly, that's the main thing to take from this game. Did we do enough to win it? Probably not. St Johnstone are one of those teams who seem to love zapping the energy out of games. They always try to break play up, slow it down, disrupt the opposition tempo. They did that yesterday, but we also allowed them to.

David: Disappointing game of uninspired hoof ball.

James: One save the Perth keeper had to make the whole game. The Dons were very poor and will have to step up big time if we want to get into Europe. We are also in danger of being dumped into bottom six. With the games we have left it could become a reality?

Lindsey: Well, that was some spectacle, I can't recall a more tedious watch. The deliveries into the box were non-existent and until Leighton Clarkson came on the hoof up the park failed to reach anyone. Hopefully Jeppe Okkels is only appearing for "game time" so we can rid of him once the season ends.

Stuart: Inconsistency is creeping in again. We can easily put on a show against lesser teams, for example Queen's Park yet when we get back to league business they are so unpredictable. Unfortunately top six not secure yet.

Chris: Lots of possession but nothing to show for it and to be honest an easy game for their keeper. Up front the bench the options are limited, that may change with Ester Sokler fit. Midfield is better with Graeme Shinnie and Clarkson. We look uncomfortable at the back and that could have punished us. I think the secret is well out about how to play us and it shows.

Image source, SNS

• St. Johnstone are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 27 December 2023 to 3 February 2024, a run of four games.

• Aberdeen have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 23 November 2024 to 1 February 2025, a run of 14 games.

• St. Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 22 of their 30 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Aberdeen have committed 12 fouls in this match, higher than their season average of 11.1 in the Premiership.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone and Aberdeen held out a goalless draw at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

You can catch all the highlights from the Premiership clash over on BBC iPlayer or via this link.

Dons fans, did you make the trip to Perth or were you following the action from home? What did you make of your side's performance? Are you happy with a point?

Have your say on the game, external.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I think the result reflects the game.

"I thought both teams defended well and we missed a little bit of extra quality. I think the result is fair but we need to do more to deserve to win, create more chances to get a winning goal. Today was not enough.

"The opponent did their job well, defended well and so did we but it was not enough. We had a really big away support who pushed us but we have to do more.

"We have to take this point. We have a clean sheet, defensively we did well but we need to do more to get the three points. Hopefully it's going to be a good point when we sum up everything."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

This point in Perth doesn't feel like a good one for Aberdeen.

Of course there is the positive way of looking at it – it is better than nothing and it means they have now lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

But given the tightness of the race for European places - and even for a spot in the top six - there is little margin for error and points can ill afford to be spilled.

A win would have left Jimmy Thelin's side in a really strong position, but the draw leaves them knowing they very much have a lot of work still to do.

That's not to say they can't do it, and there have been signs of late that Aberdeen have turned a corner. However it is wins, not draws, that will take them to where they want to be come the end of the campaign.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone have Victor Griffith pushing for fitness while Uche Ikpeazu, Bozo Mikulic (both knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) are out long term.

Aberdeen forward Ester Sokler is back in contention but Kristers Tobers is still out along with Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath and Gavin Molloy (both shoulder).