Aberdeen

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "We were prepared for a difficult game. there was a lot of second balls today. They are good at that, but we were really stable as a team today. Everybody took responsibility. We kept them out for most of the game.

"It was difficult for us to create chances today but I've looked at Shayden's goal and it's amazing. We're happy, they are three important points for us.

"If you look at his journey this year, the assists and goals he gets, how he defends... it's good to see players take steps and grow. It's a lot of work from his side, he has a strong mentality, he pushes himself."

"It was a different kind of game [to last week], not so open. It was more about second balls. But the structure of the team was good. Everybody fought and that's important.

"We don't think about [other games]. We have to keep winning our games, and not think about other teams."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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This season will go down as one of the more bizarre in Aberdeen's recent history.

After a remarkable winning start, there was an arguably even more remarkable winless run which has been followed by a more positive return to form.

In fact, the Dons will be happy to forget what happened in the middle if this is a campaign bookended by a couple of very favourable runs of results.

It's all about the destination, rather than the journey, for Dons fans. Securing their top-six status last weekend was one objective, albeit the very minimum objective , ticked off.

Now, it's all about chasing down a European place, and trying to secure third spot. On the evidence of what happened in Dingwall, manager Jimmy Thelin's side appear to be very well placed to mount a concerted challenge.

His squad has several key players missing through injury, but those who have stepped in to replace them have stepped up.

They look more assured at the back and have a cutting edge up front – a combination Thelin will be hoping can get them over the line.

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Shayden Morris. Only a seventh league start of the season for Morris, who has been given two chances now to prove that he should be a starter instead of an impact sub.

If he fluffed the first audition, he aced the second with a game-winning strike that will be included in 'goal of the season' competitions.

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Ross County welcome back Michee Efete from a three-month lay-off but Ryan Leak (Achilles) remains sidelined.

Aberdeen remain without Dimitar Mitov (shoulder), Kristers Tobers (hamstring) and Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) along with long-term absentees Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath and Gavin Molloy (both shoulder).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin believes his team are on an upward trend as they continue their European pursuit.

The fourth-place Dons, who have lost just one of their past eight games in all competitions, secured their top six-status last weekend and travel to play Ross County on Saturday.

"Things can change quickly but if you see the trend, how you perform over some games, there are always ups and downs but the trend I think is upwards and that is good for us in a really important part of the season now and the target we have for the season," said Thelin.

"We have focused a lot in the last month more about what we have to do as a team, especially when you have a lot of players in and out of the squad, and keep working with the identity, the responsibilities, how we can be a good collective team but still making the players individually grow.

"So I think the most important thing for us is to keep going and do our things really well and always have the respect of the opponent, their strengths and weaknesses, but still doing our things much better.

"I think we have seen some signs of that in the last games that we are more consistent in our actions and there is a better rhythm and more timing in the team."

Aberdeen clicked into gear with a 4-1 home win over Motherwell last time out and Thelin wants his side to build on "a really strong collective effort and a shared mind on the pitch".

He added: "It was so nice to see also how they coached each other on the pitch, the responsibility they take.

"So I hope we can keep building on this and that is important for us in the long and short term."

Dutch defender Mats Knoester, meanwhile, is enjoying life with the Dons after his arrival from Hungarian side Ferencvaros during the winter transfer window.

Knoester, who has established himself in the heart of the Aberdeen defence, said: "I feel good, I feel happy on and off the pitch, it has been a good time so far.

"I just did the thing I always do and try to give my best performance. So far it has been working well and if the results are good of course it is very helpful as well."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Aberdeen's trip to face Ross County this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the Dons boss:

• The game will come too soon for injured pair Dimitar Mitov and Kristers Tobers: "They are more involved now in the sessions, especially today, but still not 100%. I think next week will be good for them."

• Sivert Nilsen remains out long term with an eye injury and Thelin says they will possibly learn more after his next assessment in the next couple of weeks.

• On Aberdeen having lost just one of their past eight matches: "I have seen some signs in the last games that we are more consistent in our actions and there is a better rhythm and more timing to the team."

• Thelin adds: "The trend I think is upwards and that is good for us in a really important part of the season now and the target we have for the season."

• With third-place Hibs, who are a point above the Dons, visiting Rangers on Saturday, could it be a big opportunity for Thelin's side? "I don't think about other games, I think about our game."

• He described the 4-1 win over Motherwell last weekend as a "really strong collective effort" and wants to build on that.

• Thelin is expecting a difficult game against County, who beat the Dons at Pittodrie in January and are a "good home team with a good manager".

Aberdeen are believed to be opposed to a smaller, 10-team Scottish Premiership in principle after the Scottish Professional Football League competitions working group agreed to a request to explore a revamp of the current four-tier model. (Press & Journal), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• After their 2-1 win in January, Ross County could earn successive league victories over Aberdeen for the first time since October 2013 (three in a row).

• Aberdeen have lost just once in their past 11 league visits to Ross County (W7 D3), and are unbeaten in their past six (W3 D3) since going down 4-1 in January 2021.

• Ross County are the lowest scorers in the 2024-24 Premiership with 31 goals. The Staggies have found the net just once in their past four league games combined, and have failed to score in a league-high 13 matches.

• Aberdeen have won just one of their past 12 away league games (D4 L7), a 2-1 victory at Dundee in February, while they have failed to score in six of their past eight league matches on the road.

• Kevin Nisbet has been directly involved in eight of Aberdeen's past 11 league goals (six goals, two assists). Nisbet has scored two plus goals in two of his past three Scottish Premiership appearances, having only done so in two of his previous 92 before this.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It is hard to fathom what Aberdeen experienced at the end of that 3-3 Easter Road epic in late November.

They went from the exhilarating high of thinking they had won in its dying embers to the crushing low moments later of having to settle for a draw.

A point in the capital is usually viewed positively, but the manner of this one had negative ramifications.

Just a few weeks before, the Dons had been thrashed 6-0 by Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals.

If you then add in the hammer blow at Hibs, it is maybe unsurprising they were blown way off course.

They went from a team that started the campaign in blistering fashion and would always find a way to win, to one that looked brittle, fragile and devoid of belief.

It would be two and a half months before they would win another league game.

There may have been other factors behind Aberdeen's incredible slump, but there is no doubt that wild minute at Easter Road was a pivotal screw that loosened the wheels before they came off.

Read more on the six-goal epic that changed two teams' seasons

Millwall had a representative watching Kevin Nisbet continue his impressive goalscoring heroics on loan to Aberdeen last weekend amid speculation around the in-form striker's future with the London club. (The Herald), external

Aberdeen's proven track record of propelling players into the top leagues in Europe can be a valuable bargaining tool in securing summer signing targets for manager Jimmy Thelin and head of recruitment Nuno de Almeida. (Press & Journal), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen turned in their best display since October to hammer Motherwell at a sell-out Pittodrie and seal a top-six place, the 16th time they've achieved that since the inception of the split in 2000.

It was an impressive performance and probably the Dons' best since the win over Rangers that had them nine points clear of the Ibrox side and level with Celtic.

This was just their fourth Premiership win since then, but Jimmy Thelin believes they will kick on from here and the formula he has struck with Leighton Clarkson and Ante Palaversa in the engine room, with captain Graeme Shinnie at left-back, is paying dividends.

With Sivert Heltne Nilsen out for an extended period, Thelin will surely stick with this set-up now after altering it for the St Johnstone stalemate last time out.

Clarkson was superb and the 'quarter-back' role seems to suit him. His goal was outstanding and he was involved in just about everything.

Kevin Nisbet has also been reborn and his recall to the Scotland squad will have given him a further boost. He could yet be the difference between success and failure for Thelin this season. It is now seven goals in eight games for the forward.

With Hibernian going to Rangers on Saturday, where they haven't won since 2018, the Dons potentially have a chance to reclaim third place when they travel to face Ross County before a visit from Barry Ferguson's side, who go to Pittodrie between the two legs of their Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao.

The club also deserve praise for their ticket initiative which ensured a full house with an excellent travelling support up from Lanarkshire for the game.

The win over the Steelmen was also notable as being the first time this season that Aberdeen have come from behind to win a league game, and that in itself points to an improvement in character with much still to play for.

More performances like this will give the Dons fans belief that this rollercoaster of a season could yet end on a maximum high.

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says summer transfer window targets must have the right character to play for the club and must also display they are rounded players by being potent in both defence and attack. (Press & Journal), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Aberdeen's return to form has coincided with one all-important factor: Kevin Nisbet is looking like his old goalscoring self.

With a European spot in their sights after securing top six, and a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts on the horizon, Scotland striker Nisbet is hitting his stride at the opportune moment for Jimmy Thelin's side.

Nisbet's double - his second brace in four games - in the 4-1 weekend trouncing of Motherwell took his tally to seven goals in his past eight matches, only one of which the Dons have lost.

The 28-year-old put Saturday's game to bed with a header and 30-yard stunner from a combined xG of just 0.51, but it's not just his form in front of goal that's lifting spirits again around Pittodrie.

The on-loan Millwall forward also created two chances for his team-mates, recovered the ball four times, and had the highest passing accuracy of anyone who played more than 45 minutes, with 19 of his 20 passes finding a red shirt.

All while having the fewest touches, 38, of any outfield player, showing his ability to be an effective part of the game while often doing a lot of his work off the ball.

"Crucial for Aberdeen has been the return to form of Nisbet," Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"He was just not producing enough, or not producing the form that we knew he was capable of obviously from his Hibs days. But something seems to have clicked in the last few weeks.

"He's back among the goals. And when you've got that threat that can pretty much guarantee goals up front, it's obviously a massive, massive help."

Leighton Clarkson: On song and strolled it, scoring a superb goal. Instrumental as Aberdeen hit all the right notes.

Kevin Nisbet: Should Aberdeen get a deal done with Millwall to make this move a permanent one? On the evidence of recent weeks it could make very real sense. The on-loan striker suddenly looks at home in red.

Watch all the highlights from Aberdeen's 4-1 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

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Jimmy Thelin is targeting European football after Aberdeen secured a top-six finish with their 4-1 win over Motherwell on Saturday.

The Dons missed out on continental action after finishing seventh last term, but now look in good shape to return to Europe by taking one of the league's top four or five positions, if they do not win the Scottish Cup.

"From the beginning we've had a clear picture for the long term, but we want to arrive in Europe this season," said Thelin.

"We will try until the last game both in the Dup and in the league.

"Nothing has changed in terms of what we're pushing for but we have to deserve it. We will now focus on the next game away to Ross County."

47 points was enough for St Mirren to earn European football last season. Thelin's Aberdeen already have 46 on the board with seven matches still to be played.

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your opinions on the 4-1 win over Motherwell that secured your top six status for this season. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Jimibub: The absolute minimum goal has now been met, and what a way to achieve it. That had early season vibes to it. Now, get to the Cup final (or achieve a Cup win, better yet) and secure third.

It has been a rollercoaster, but as all have said so often, if we had gotten here without either run, no one would be complaining. At least Dave Cormack kept his cool for once and didn't sack Jimmy Thelin.

Dick: A crisp, decisive display from an Aberdeen team who had Motherwell chasing shadows in the first half. Leighton Clarkson was back in his best position, distributing the ball from in front of the back two.

Motherwell adjusted their strategy after the break but the addition of Shayden Morris provided width to sort that out. A European slot is next stop.

Fred: An excellent team performance and a well-deserved win. If the team can maintain this standard, third is a definite possibility. All the players performed today, no passengers.

Andrew: One of the best attacking displays we've produced this season. So much more emphasis on moving the ball forward instead of back. Clarkson had a brilliant game and Kevin Nisbet has been a different animal in the last couple of months.

Chris: That was a perfect execution of the manager's tactics. Really good, clever, quick football. However, Motherwell were dreadful. Ponderous, always losing loose balls and no leadership. The Dons were good, but they were not playing a side with quality.

Ritchie: The best performance since last November. Showed great character after going behind, players showed good battling qualities and didn't allow Motherwell to bully them. Clarkson was excellent at spreading play and driving forward. Hopefully a catalyst for strong end to the season.

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• Aberdeen won after conceding the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 15 May 2024 against Livingston (15 games without a win).

• The Dons are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership - their last longer unbeaten streak was from 16 March 2024 to 9 November 2024, a run of 20 games.

• Kevin Nisbet has scored nine goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Aberdeen player. He has now scored seven goals in 12 appearances in the Premiership against Motherwell.

• Jimmy Thelin's side have scored 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (22) and Dundee United (15) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have a record of W0, D1, L11 when trailing at half-time in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (17) and Hibernian (16) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Callum Slattery has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (three goals, one assist).

Aberdeen managerJimmy Thelin is open to a potential move to buy on-loan Kevin Nisbet in the summer, with the Scotland striker having another year to run on his Millwall contract. (Press & Journal - subscription), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Aberdeen secured their place in the Scottish Premiership's top six with an emphatic 4-1 win over Motherwell at Pittodrie.

The visitors made a dream start, breaking the deadlock after just five minutes when Callum Slattery powered a header into the net.

But the Dons were soon back level, after Alfie Dorrington's shot found its way past Motherwell keeper Ellery Balcombe, taking a deflection off Andy Halliday on its way.

The host's second goal was a thing of beauty, Leighton Clarkson curling in a sumptuous 20 yarder as the interval approached.

And they extended their advantage on 76 minutes when Kevin Nisbet headed in from an Alexander Jensen cross.

Nisbet got his second and Aberdeen's fourth with a rasping added-time strike from 30 yards which crashed off the underside of the cross bar and into the net.

What did you think of that, Dons fans? Where did it go right for Aberdeen today?

Who impressed you? And now top six is secure, how do you feel about the rest of the season?

Let us know your thoughts.