Aberdeen

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen's extraordinary start to the season continued after a thrilling battle with Hearts at Pittodrie on Sunday as they racked up win number 13 in succession.

The early success that Jimmy Thelin has enjoyed has surprised even the man himself as they came through another test of their credentials against a rejuvenated-looking Edinburgh side who produced their best performance of the season in the Granite City.

The Swede has already surpassed the win totals of predecessors Stephen Glass (nine), Alex Miller (10), Jim Goodwin (11) and matched Mark McGhee.

It's true the Dons lived a charmed life at times, with Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas guilty of passing up gilt-edged opportunities before Jorge Grant's sending off, but Aberdeen found a way to win. Just as they did in Dundee and Dingwall.

On 14 March, then interim manager Peter Leven admitted the team was "in trouble" in the wake of a defeat at Dens Park that left Aberdeen without a league win in 11 outings.

They sat perilously close to the relegation play-off position and not one Dons fan who witnessed that performance would have taken you seriously if you'd told them they wouldn't lose a Premiership game for the next seven months.

The return of Duk appears to be a timely one as well. He thanked the packed home sections for a warm welcome back into the fold by setting up Ante Palaversa's late winner and his presence is a nice surprise for Thelin.

Talking of Palaversa, what a signing he could prove to be and it would be no surprise to see him start games regularly after his dramatic cameo against Hearts.

Manchester City signed him for 7m euros in 2019 and he looks a class act. Thelin will surely be looking at starting him in their next match, that being a top-of-the-table clash at Celtic Park.

What a prospect that match is and what a time it would be for Aberdeen to address a woeful current record against the champions.

With the international break upon us, that match is on the back-burner for now and we will reconvene next time to put that fixture under the microscope as the Dons look to make everyone stand up and take notice of the Thelin revolution.

Both Celtic and Aberdeen have a 100% Premiership start. And both scored 88th-minute winners at the weekend to preserve that perfect record with comeback wins.

The Dons edged out Hearts in a five-goal stormer at Pittodrie, while Celtic avoided a European hangover by taking full points in Dingwall.

It sets things up nicely for the mouthwatering top-of-the-table showdown when the leading pair meet at Celtic Park a weekend on Saturday.

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Jack MacKenzie admits his first Scotland call-up came as a surprise because he had "no idea" he was in Steve Clarke's thoughts.

The 24-year-old Aberdeen left-back has been drafted in for the Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal after Celtic's Greg Taylor withdrew injured.

MacKenzie will have two familiar faces for company, with Dons right-back Nicky Devlin already in the squad and striker Kevin Nisbet subsequently added.

"When I got the news, I phoned my dad first," MacKenzie said.

"He has been big inspiration for my football. He has always been there, so it was really nice to share the moment with him and speak to him about it. I also spoke to my mum. It's a great moment for all the family.

"It is an incredible feeling. It is something you dream of as a kid. I'm just absolutely buzzing.

"The only downside is I was looking forward to having two weeks away from Nicky Devlin, but that is obviously not going to be the case any more!

"I had no idea that I was even being considered for a call-up.

"I am full of confidence at the moment and looking forward to the opportunity. Staying fit has also been a big plus for me over the last year or so, and that has meant me getting a nice run of games."

Kevin Nisbet is expected to join Aberdeen teammates Nicky Devlin and Jack MacKenzie in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad to face Croatia and Portugal. (Daily Record, external)

Scott Brown says he probably should have retired as a player after leaving Celtic and focused on coaching, instead of joining Aberdeen. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan insists Aberdeen cannot be considered title contenders yet, despite the Dons' perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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It's been four decades since Aberdeen last lifted the Scottish title. After a cracking start this season to life under Jimmy Thelin, can they finally do it again?

The Dons are joint top of the league having won all seven of their Premiership matches so far and Celtic's superior goal difference is the only thing keeping Thelin's side from the summit.

Aberdeen have played 13 games across all competitions (six in the League Cup) and have won them all - giving Thelin the record for greatest start in Scottish football.

With their victory over Hearts on Sunday, the Dons boss overtook Martin O'Neill's previous mark of 12 games set back in 2000.

So, are Thelin's side really title material? Former Dons David Robertson and Theo ten Caat have been giving their verdict on a special Aberdeen episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Robertson, referencing Leicester City's fairytale English title win of 2016, said: "Aberdeen's next two or three games [against Celtic, Dundee United and Rangers] will dictate a lot. But anything can happen.

"Look at Leicester. I listened to a podcast with Marc Albrighton, and he said they negotiated their bonuses with the chairman for eighth place - they didn't have a bonus for winning it. That's how much they didn't even expect to finish in the top eight.

"So I think Aberdeen will just quietly go about their business. For Aberdeen, second and third is certainly achievable, and you never know, you might get the real unexpected one and win the whole thing.

"I think the difference this year is they've actually beaten teams without playing particularly well.

"And they're beating teams that they couldn't beat last year or the year before. That's always the most important thing to win the league."

Ten Caat has stressed the importance of having squad depth, given the potential for suspension and injuries throughout the season.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Aberdeen win against Celtic and Rangers," the Dutch former striker said.

"I hope Aberdeen have more than 11 good players. There has to be at least 14 or 15.

"We won in 1991 against Rangers to the surprise of everyone. We had a good spell at that time as well because Alex McLeish was fit.

"When McLeish got injured, we were top of the league, we had a problem, our best player was out for half a year and it all went downhill. So hopefully it won't happen this year with Aberdeen."

Jack Mackenzie's first Scotland call-up is a "great opportunity" for the Aberdeen left-back, says assistant John Carver.

MacKenzie, 24, has replaced Celtic's Greg Taylor for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.

"It's interesting because obviously we had the issue of Greg [Taylor] pulling out and I was going up to Aberdeen anyway and we have had a lot of good reports about him," Carver said.

"He has obviously had a great start, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start and they are playing with confidence.

"I just like the way he plays. He plays with confidence. He is a front-foot player who plays high and likes to get forward.

"It's a great opportunity for him. He came in this morning and is not overawed by the players.

"He trained great this morning so I am looking forward to seeing how he will develop."

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Aberdeen left-back Jack MacKenzie has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.

The 24-year-old replaces injured Celtic defender Greg Taylor in Steve Clarke's set-up for the Nations League games away to Croatia on Saturday and at home to Portugal next Tuesday.

MacKenzie's Pittodrie team-mate Nicky Devlin had already received a first call-up.

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Nicky Devlin has backed "brilliant" Duk to have a major impact on Aberdeen's season after the forward's comeback helped maintain the Dons' stunning start.

Having been given a rapturous welcome from fans when he came off the bench against Hearts on Sunday, Duk was heavily involved in turning the game in the Reds' favour.

He drew the foul from which Harts midfielder Jorge Grant was sent off and then set up Ante Palaversa's 88th-minute winner with a superb piece of play on the left.

It marked an impressive first appearance of the season for the 24-year-old, who was suspended by the club in the summer after going AWOL as he tried to force a move away from Aberdeen.

"Duk was brilliant," said defender Devlin. "I am delighted for him because he has had to work hard.

"The impact he had on the game was massive. He was the reason the boy got sent off. The other full-back that came on [Adam Forrester] also got booked against him and he also set up the winning goal.

"If we can get that Duk between now and the end of the season, then we will have an unbelievable player on our hands."

The victory made it 13 in a row for Aberdeen under Jimmy Thelin this term, with Celtic - the only other side with a flawless domestic start - up next after the international break.

"I have never won this many games in my career before," said defender Devlin. "The amount of wins we have had has been phenomenal.

"We take confidence from the way we started the season and the way we ended the last one. We are in good form and there is a lot of confidence throughout the side, but we know we can be better.

"I don't think we were great against Hearts. But we have done that a couple of times this season, where we haven't been great but the resolve and attitude of the players have managed to find a way.

"Listen, we can be rubbish at Celtic Park but if we can find a way, then I would take that."

A contract extension for in-form Aberdeen full-back Nicky Devlin is a no-brainer, says former Pittodrie favourite Duncan Shearer. (Press & Journal - subscription), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Aberdeen's winning streak cannot last forever, but Jimmy Thelin's side are riding the crest of a "feel-good" wave, according to The Scotsman's sport editor Mark Atkinson.

The Dons came from behind to beat Hearts 3-2 at Pittodrie on Sunday, with Ante Palaversa's late winner making it 13 consecutive wins to start the season.

Aberdeen are second in the Scottish Premiership, only behind Celtic on goal difference.

"There's so much feel-good factor at Aberdeen right now and they are loving life under Thelin," Atkinson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think they also know that at some point it's going to come to an end, and especially the performance yesterday, I think better teams and more confident teams would have taken something off them.

"But to be in the position they are at the moment, top with Celtic, a 100% record, it's beyond the club's wildest dreams."

Hearts spurned several good chances in the game, and Atkinson believes the Pittodrie crowd pushed Aberdeen over the line.

"[Hearts] really deserved something from that match but when winning becomes a habit you just keep going, and Aberdeen responded really well to going 2-1 down," Atkinson said.

"The crowd got right behind them and then when Hearts went down to 10 men and when Duk came on they just went for it.

"Sometimes you just know in a football stadium that a team is going to score and it felt like that winning Aberdeen goal was coming."

Watch former Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn's assessment of the Dons, after Jimmy Thelin's side won their 13th game in a row.

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after that late victory over Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Eric: Great strength of character to come back and win the game. Strength from the bench definitely added to the final push and great to see Duk and Ante Palaversa show what they can do. If we can stop leaking goals, then there is a great chance we can finish in the top three. We really need to take care with opposition players sneaking in at the back.

Dave: Realistically Hearts should have won the game if they had kept their heads and converted their chances and avoided senseless bookings. But the willpower of Aberdeen when they went 2-1 down was immense and they had the strength and depth off the bench to win it in the end.

Anon: We have had a few shaky moments in recent games but yet again came good in the end. Dimitar Mitov needs coaching on clearing the ball. He needs a strong fist to get it well out of the danger area. He was involved in both Hearts goals. Celtic away next, not sure we will get away with errors there. However, I'm really enjoying the moments for now.

Euan: There is a determination and steeliness about Aberdeen I’ve not seen since the early 90s. If we can stay in contact at the top come the New Year and bring a couple more players in in January then who knows what might happen.

Justin: Fantastic to get three points but I can't not be a little worried about how easily (and often) Hearts ripped us apart. Nonetheless a great fightback and a wonderful result but not all roses. It will be very tough against Celtic if they're given so much space and time.

Gordon: A win's a win but we must be honest that we didn't deserve that today. For most of the game until the sending off Hearts were the better team by some margin. How can Jimmy Thelin have Palaversa sitting on the bench for 70 minutes? He is an amazing player, the best we've got by a country mile. Come on Jimmy, play him!

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Football fairytales spring up all the time and Nicky Devlin's story is another one.

A first Scotland call-up at the age of 30, and a spring in the step clearly seen with a superb display for the Dons, including a goal in their win against Hearts.

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• Hearts have failed to win in their last 10 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 23rd November 2019 to 22nd January 2020.

• Aberdeen have scored in their last 12 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 12 games from 17th January 2016 to 8th April 2016.

• Aberdeen have won their last 7 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 25th February 2023 to 23rd April 2023.

• Hearts have conceded 3 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only St. Johnstone (4) have conceded more.

• Aberdeen have scored 3 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has more.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen beat Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

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Aberdeen fans, when you come down from cloud nine, get in touch with your thoughts on a thrilling victory at Pittodrie.

Thirteen wins on the bounce and Jimmy Thelin is still cool as a deep frozen cucumber.

Use this link for all things Dons.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "It's a lot of emotions. The atmosphere pushed us until the last minute to find a winning goal.

"Hearts were really good, they pushed us in some areas and we struggled a little bit, but we found ways to come back. The hunger we have in the team, I'm so happy with that character. The whole of Pittodrie was bouncing. It's a night to remember."

On meeting Celtic next...

"We have to improve in our positioning and that's down to me and my staff," he adds. "We stayed in the game and slowly got better. It's the perfect sign of a good character."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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This victory opens up a 19-point gap between Aberdeen and Hearts, who strolled to third place last term. Thelin's side have a game in hand on the Edinburgh side, too.

The Dons were far from fluent, struggling to retain possession against aggressive opponents.

There were a few hairy moments at the back as well, with a defence that had only conceded five in 12, making some sloppy errors.

Hearts really should have added to their tally, but the way Aberdeen responded to going behind for the first time in the league under their Swedish manager was hugely impressive.

Palaversa, Ester Sokler and Duk made a positive impact from the bench, adding muscularity to the attack.

Duk, who refused to return to the club over the summer in a bid to force a transfer, went some way to winning over fans with a cameo full of energy.

Devlin's volley from the edge of the box was a clever piece of improvisation and the full-back, called up for the first time by Scotland, celebrated a great sliding block to deny Shankland with just as much gusto.

The Aberdeen defence had a few shaky moments but right-back Nicky Devlin conjured up a lovely volley to get it back to 2-2 and afterwards made a fantastic goal-saving block to deny Lawrence Shankland.

The Dons' remarkable winning run has buoyed confidence at Pittodrie and a first Scotland call up is merited.

Image source, SNS

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Aberdeen striker Pape Gueye was this week ruled out until early 2025 with a quad muscle tear and midfielder Dante Polvara remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime will be assessed after going off with what interim boss Liam Fox described as "fatigue" during Thursday's win over Dinamo Minsk.

Musa Drammeh is back in contention after not being included in the squad for European matches. Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) and Gerald Taylor (knee) are both out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has no interest in looking at the Premiership table as he stands on the brink of a Scottish record.

Thelin, whose current run of 12 wins equals Martin O'Neill's 100% start at Celtic in 2000, will set a new milestone should his side defeat Hearts at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Aberdeen trail leaders Celtic on goal difference and will move 19 points clear of bottom club Hearts with victory.

Thelin said: "It is so early in the season, I am not thinking about the past or how much the gap is to other teams.

"We have a lot of games to play and our only focus is this game and also how they (Hearts) performed the last two games, they have done really well, they have played stable.

"Liam [Fox] has made some changes and some good things to add to the team, so we need to be 100% prepared for the game on Sunday.

"We can talk about the table when we have one game to play at the end of the season, but not now."

The Swede praised 30-year-old defender Nicky Devlin, who this week received his first call-up to the Scotland squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

He said: "That is so nice with this sport, you can never stop learning. There is always something to learn and improve wherever you are in your career, how old or young you are.

"And the hunger he shows, he trains so well every training session and performs in the games, so everybody here is happy for him and it is going to be a nice experience for him."