Aberdeen

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Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin wants his players to "keep building" ahead of Tuesday night's trip to league leaders Celtic.

An added-time winner against Kilmarnock at the weekend saw the Dons retain third place in the table, and make it three victories in a row in all competitions.

Now they are braced for the toughest challenge in Scottish football - an outing at Parkhead.

"I think we have a clear picture of what we want to be in the future and to be better," Thelin said.

"Now we play Celtic away, it is a difficult game. Brendan Rodgers has done a really good job, they are a good team so for us we need to take these challenges and grow with that and give everything we can and try to get the points.

"The rest of the season, every game is going to be so crucial, so important for us and the other teams.

"We know that and that is a good pressure because you have to be sharp every game and it there is no room for rest you have to push the whole way now to deserve the third place in the table."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media ahead of their Premiership trip to play Celtic on Tuesday night.

Here are the main points:

• Thelin admits it is "a difficult game" but says "we have to believe" and be ready for the challenge.

• On if he is braced for a Celtic backlash after they lost at Hibs at the weekend – he pointed out that Celtic are always good at home adding Aberdeen's focus on "what we want to do".

• He accepts you get fewer chances at Parkhead so you "need to be sharp" when they come along

• Thelin says it is "one isolated game" adding that "every game is really important" if they want to achieve their goals – saying it is "a good pressure".

• After goalie Dimitar Mitov was restored to the starting line up at the weekend following a spell out with injury, Thelin praised his "leadership" and "presence".

• After both players went off injured at the weekend, Jack MacKenzie is available for Tuesday's game, but it will be "too early" for Nicky Devlin who has a shoulder issue.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Yabba Dabbagh Do, the sense of relief was palpable as Obday Dabbagh lifted the ball into the roof of the net to open his Dons account on his home debut.

A seismic weekend in Scottish football, with results elsewhere making that goal and moment feel crucial in our season.

This Aberdeen team either loses or fails to win that game a few weeks ago. Are we finally seeing signs that this team's attitude has changed and they mean the business I questioned the other week?

The January transfer window is often viewed as a difficult market to operate in. Jimmy Thelin however looks to have made shrewd signings, and in centre-backs Mats Knoesters and Kristers Tobers, defensive solidity has returned. Alexander Jensen with another solid performance switching positions more than Rangers switch managers.

However, it is up top where the biggest difference could be.

A striker was needed, and signed in Obday Dabbagh, his cameo last time out against Dundee showed real encouragement on what he could offer. Saturday he grabbed a goal, fans were waiting Obday for, which will boost his confidence and only excite fans further.

This week sees us visit Celtic then a huge Pittodrie showdown against Dundee United awaits in the race for third.

Feel good factor returning? Excitement building? It certainly feels like it!

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen grabbed their third win in a row with a narrow victory over Kilmarnock and they have one player in my TOTW.

Mats Knoester has slotted in seamlessly. An assured display as Aberdeen claimed three points.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin believes forwards Oday Dabbagh and Kevin Nisbet could form a formidable partnership. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Aberdeen's build up to their winning goal.

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Jimmy Thelin has hinted that strikers Kevin Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh could form an attacking partnership.

Aberdeen have mainly played with one striker up top this season, but the emergence of January signing Dabbagh, who scored the winner against Dundee at the weekend, could lead to a change of shape.

"It can be," answered Thelin when asked about the possibility of a new striking duo. "It's important for a striker to score when they come to a new club. If you can wish a start, you wish that.

"However it's also other things that are important for a striker to contribute to victories as a team, but the goals are important."

"They can play as number nines or 10s or as two strikers. We can do it in the future – let's see."

Nisbet has had to step up to the plate following the departure of Bojan Miovski and the early injury to Pape Gueye, who started the season in red-hot form.

The Scotland striker now has seven goals to his name this season after arriving on loan from Millwall in the summer, where he had an unhappy spell following a move from Hibs.

"Kevin has grown into the team and also with his fitness levels and how he competes. He can cope more and more in 90 minutes and take responsibility.

"Kevin is looking much sharper in how he helps us in the build-up and he also has the power left to go to the box."

Watch highlights as Aberdeen win 1-0 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Dick: This was the poorest demonstration of football seen at Pittodrie for a long time as Kilmarnock stifled a creative Aberdeen offering with long balls and a high press.

A physical encounter where Aberdeen scored two good goals and hit the post to no reply. Graeme Shinnie introduced composure while Shayden Morris added penetration as substitutes.

Stuart: Confidence seems to be back, however Tuesday's game will tell us if that's the case. Surely the club must get Kevin Nisbet signed on a permanent deal, he is showing he wants to be at Aberdeen.

Peter: Good result considering where we've been, new faces and also that Killie have had a good run of form. Some good individual performances but much better as a unit.

My worry is Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh are on loan. We need permanent forwards who will perform.

Tyler: Aberdeen were dull in that game but a needed win for Jimmy Thelin. Dabbagh looks a great new signing and put away a great finish to start him off. Killie came close but Aberdeen came out better.

Fred: Good to get another win. A very competitive match which could have gone either way. The team looks better balanced and much stronger defence-wise. Hope we are on a run of good results, especially as we see Celtic are not invincible.

John: Much more positive. Great atmosphere throughout at Pittodrie. Got the win and new boys all performing in a much more settled starting XI. Let's hope the Dons can keep it going.

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• Aberdeen have scored 11 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Celtic (16) have scored more.

• Aberdeen have a record of W7, D0, L1 when scoring the opening goal at home in the Premiership this season.

• Kilmarnock have failed to score a first-half goal in 20 of their 27 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season. They have failed to score at all in 10 of those 27 games - only St Mirren (11) have failed to score more often.

• Kilmarnock have conceded 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (16) and Hibernian (15) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

Aberdeen continued their revival and kept hold of third place in the Scottish Premiership after Oday Dabbagh's injury-time goal edged out Kilmarnock.

The Palestinian international strike, making his home debut, latched on to a Leighton Clarkson pass and converted at the back post to ensure consecutive league wins for Jimmy Thelin's side and three in all competitions.

With both sides taking back-to-back wins into the game, there was a positive mood at Pittodrie, but chances were at a premium in a high tempo first half which burst into life as the interval approached.

Referee Nick Walsh awarded Kilmarnock a penalty after Liam Donnelly went down in the box under pressure from Kristers Tobers, but that decision was overturned after the offical was called over to consult the screens.

Moments later, Aberdeen had the ball in the back of the net, but Jeppe Okkels' curling effort was ruled out for offside after another VAR intervention.

The second half was a similar story – plenty of endeavour, but not a huge amount of quality.

Aberdeen went close just before the hour when Pape Habib Gueye played in Topi Keskinen, whose angled shot was parried away by Kieran O'Hara.

And it was the hosts who looked the most likely to snatch the points.

As full time approached, great build-up play ended with a Kevin Nisbet shot striking a post. But they weren't to be denied, with Dabbagh striking at the death.

Let us know your thoughts on the match here., external

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I'm really happy with the way we competed.

"It was a difficult game, we stayed in it and tried in the last part to push for the victory.

"It was not that fluid but we take the three points and can celebrate with the supporters.

"Finally, we win at home. It was important for us to win a league game at home."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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After an incredible slump in form appeared to have been arrested, many were asking if Aberdeen had turned a corner.

On the basis of this, the answer would appear to be yes.

When they were seemingly untouchable earlier in the campaign, a hallmark of Thelin's side was an ability to find a way of winning games. They look to have rediscovered that quality once again.

Aberdeen were relatively comfortable against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup a couple of weeks ago, then hung on to win at Dundee in the league. On Saturday, they got the job done once again.

This season could go down as one of the more bizarre in the club's history given the remarkable rollercoaster nature of their form.

But if they are now back on the right track, there is every chance it could be one which could still yield plenty.

Scotland and Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie is on the radar of Crystal Palace and any transfer would net former club Aberdeen a sell-on fee. (Press & Journal), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers admits there was a sense of relief after they ended their winless league run, but says they are not satisfied with just one victory.

The Dons were 2-1 winners at Dundee last time out, their first Premiership triumph since early November - a result that lifted them up to third in the table.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Kilmarnock, Tobers was asked what the mood has been like around the place following the win at Dens Park.

"Of course positive," he said. "The guys are happy.

"We are going to build from that. It was really important and a relief for a lot of players. Important we got three points and now we keep building on that and hopefully it is going to be a positive result tomorrow as well."

Latvia captain Tobers arrived at Pittodrie early in the January transfer window in the middle of the winless streak, and says the mood in camp has always been upbeat despite on-field issues.

"It has always been positive, everybody understood we cannot be negative before going to the game," he said. "Everybody needs to look forward even if it is a hard situation. Everybody was positive still and looking forward to a game to break the not winning streak.

"We got the cup win (against Dunfermline) as well but we were missing that win in the [league] so that helped us to boost our confidence even more."

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Aberdeen are still without Jamie McGrath, Gavin Molloy (both shoulder), Ester Sokler (hamstring), Dante Polvara (leg), Vicente Besuijen (knee) and Jack Milne (ankle).

Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell and defender Stuart Findlay (both ankle) remain out but both are back running. Midfielder Kyle Magennis had a scan on his knee and it proved clear.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says the decision over who starts in goal against Kilmarnock on Saturday highlights the quality he has at his disposal right throughout the squad.

First-choice keeper Dimitar Mitov is back from injury, but was on the bench during their win at Dundee last time out, with Ross Doohan continuing between the sticks.

With Doohan doing well in Mitov's absence, Thelin was asked how tough a choice it is as to who gets the nod.

"The competition is healthy," the Swedish manager said. "We have good players - that is what you need because it is a long season. It is not a dilemma, it is only positive that we have a strong competition in the goalkeeper position, everywhere on the pitch.

"It is important for everyone to stay sharp and keep that hunger all the time. We are always going to choose the team we think is the best chance to start the game to give us the result."

The victory at Dens Park last weekend saw Aberdeen end a 14-game winless run in the league, and lift them up to third in the Premiership table.

Despite that difficult run, Thelin says goals never shifted from the start of the season.

"Nothing has changed," he said. "We are trying to arrive in Europe next season and that is what we are still working for. In the long term we are trying to be a stable team in Europe.

"We have a lot of things to improve but we are still in the race and still in the competition, there are still many games left.

"When you have this run we have, we know it is tough. So far we are there and we have to keep pushing for that."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership match against Kilmarnock.

Here is the best of what he said:

• On whether the Dons have now turned a corner after back-to-back wins, he said "the team is performing a little bit more stable", but notes that there are still areas where they can improve.

• He insists the "drive was always there" even when results were going against his side.

• With Dimitar Mitov back fit and Ross Doohan performing well, Thelin was asked how big a dilemma he faces now over who starts in goal – he said he doesn't see it as a dilemma, stressing how good it is to have real competition all round the squad.

• He added that the new signings have raised the levels in the squad.

• Now the Dons are back up to third in the table, the manager was asked about the challenge of staying there – he said their objective to qualify for European competition hasn't changed since the start of the season, saying they are "still in the race".

• On the challenge of Kilmarnock – Thelin said he is expecting a "tough game" against "a good team".

• Team News: Ester Sokler, Dante Polvara and Jack Milne are back training with the squad, but are still a couple of weeks away from playing. Gavin Molloy and Jamie McGrath remain out.

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• Aberdeen have won six of their last seven home league games against Kilmarnock, losing the other 1-0 in December 2023.

• Kilmarnock have won four of their last five league meetings with Aberdeen (L1), as many as their previous 38 beforehand (W4 D8 L26).

• Aberdeen's 2-1 win at Dundee last time out ended their 14-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership (D4 L10). Before that winless run, the Dons were unbeaten in 20 league games (W16 D4), and before that streak, they were winless in 11 (D5 L6).

• Kilmarnock have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row within a single season in the Scottish Premiership in October 2020 under Alex Dyer.

• Kilmarnock have seen more goals scored by teenagers (excl. own goals) in the Scottish Premiership this season (6) than any other club. 19-year-old Bobby Wales has scored in two of Killie's last three league games.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The sense of relief from the Aberdeen supporters was palpable from the top of Dundee Law all the way down to the Tay as the Dons won a league game for the first time in three months at Dens Park.

Topi Keskinen's decisive goal was worthy of winning any match, anywhere. The huge visiting support in the Bob Shankly stand had a perfect view of it, too, as the Finn's rocket whistled past Jon McCracken in the Dundee goal. In that moment of quality you could see why the Aberdeen board sanctioned the big transfer fee to land Keskinen in the summer.

Jimmy Thelin will hope that the long-awaited victory kick-starts their Premiership season with a visit from Kilmarnock to come on Saturday.

There were plenty positives for the manager to take from the win with winter arrivals Alexander Jensen, Mats Knoester and Kristers Tobers all impressing as the Dons stopped their record-breaking winless league streak at 14.

Throughout the storm that had engulfed the club during those 14 matches, Thelin has remained calm both on the touchline and in front of the microphones and he will personally be relieved that things appear to be moving in the right direction again having sealed a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals the previous Sunday.

The team has also recorded successive wins for the first time since beating Dundee United and Rangers in the halcyon days of October.

It is quite remarkable, that, despite the 99-day wait for a Premiership victory, Aberdeen emerged from the weekend in third place and with it all to play for.

There are seven games to go until the split with nine teams realistically fighting it out for the four places in the top half that remain available and the Dons' face four of the current bottom six in the lead up to the 33-game mark.

The Dons' fans have been riding the rollercoaster all season and it shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

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Giant-killers Queen's Park's trip to Aberdeen in next month's Scottish Cup quarter-finals will be televised live on BBC One Scotland.

The Scottish Championship side stunned top-flight Rangers in the last round and will aim to back up their shock win at Ibrox when they travel to Pittodrie on Saturday, 8 March.

Callum Davidson's side will kick off against Jimmy Thelin's Premiership outfit at 12:30 GMT on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

It may have taken 14 winless league games, but Aberdeen have finally gotten there.

A 2-1 victory over Dundee has ended the wait for victory.

Topi Keskinen slammed in a goal of the season contender, and Kevin Nisbet looked in the mood for more.

Are things finally clicking into gear once again for Jimmy Thelin's charges? The manager stuck with the team who secured victory over Dunfermline and they repaid the faith shown in them.

I spoke last week about how I wanted this team to show they meant business.

On Saturday, they certainly showed they did and results elsewhere saw us leap back into third place. Impressive given how long we have waited for a win! More importantly, it means the race for third is back in our own hands.

The centre-back pairing of Kristers Tobers and Mats Knoester looks to be what we have longed for - steady, assured, and blocking everything a team throws at them.

Ante Palaversa and Sivert Heltne Nilsen have started three games in midfield together in 2025, and we've won them all! Coincidence?...

Up top, Nisbet looks a different player. Perhaps he's been aided by the competition brought in by Oday Dabbagh, who himself looked sharp off the bench against Dundee.

With a positive result alongside a fairly positive performance, the Red Army have lots to smile about this week.

Let's hope we make it a hat-trick of victories this weekend over Kilmarnock.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external