Aberdeen

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "It was a really good collective team effort today. We start the game really well and they score more or less the first time they arrive in our box.

"Sometimes teams can react in another way, but it was nice to see the reaction that the team game. The response was really good.

"We have some injuries but the squad is growing, and players are developing. It's not so much about football sometimes, but about responsibility. [Leighton] Clarkson's performance today was really good to see.

"We see players getting better and better - even Alfie [Dorrington] has grown since he arrived [in January]. It's created healthy competition inside the squad. Graeme Shinnie at left-back was really strong today.

"I like the way the team is growing. We need the squad to be good through the season. We need to use the whole squad the whole way.

"Nothing has changed, but it is good to be top six. We can only take it game by game, we have another difficult game away next weekend to prepare for."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen were hoping to progress following the arrival of manager Jimmy Thelin last summer.

And securing their place in the top six is a significant first step – albeit it has been a bit of rollercoaster ride to achieve it.

Last season Aberdeen finished seventh – at the end of a disappointing campaign - so avoiding spending the remainder of this one battling in the bottom half is an undoubted step in the right direction.

But, lets be clear - a place in the top six is the minimum that is expected by the Dons and their fans.

Having ticked off that objective – the next one is to secure European football.

If they can do that, then Thelin, and the Pittodrie powerbrokers, will rightly be satisfied with the work done over the course of the season.

However getting a consistency of performance and results – two things that have been lacking in recent months – between now and the end of the season, will be the key to determining if the Red Army can look out their passports next term.

Image source, SNS

Kevin Nisbet. Harsh not to give this to Leighton Clarkson on a day where the Aberdeen midfielder strolled things, but we'll go with Nisbet just for that second strike alone.

Took the first one well, ghosting in between his markers to power his header home, before scoring a screamer that had more dip than a nacho party.

Seven goals in his last eight games is a good return.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov begins another spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury he sustained on international duty with Bulgaria.

Kristers Tobers (hamstring) and Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) remain out along with long-term absentees Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath and Gavin Molloy (both shoulder).

Motherwell wing-back Marvin Kaleta is a doubt with a stomach bug while Tawanda Maswhanise only returned from playing for Zimbabwe in time for one training session.

The Steelmen remain without Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (broken wrist), Shane Blaney, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Jack Vale (Achilles), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and Archie Mair (hand).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says his side need to be "really sharp" and clinical as they look to achieve their pre-season objective of European football.

The Dons are fourth in the table - one point behind Hibs and two above fifth-place Dundee United - and can guarantee a top-six finish with victory at home to Motherwell on Saturday.

"Every game in the season is important but now there are not so many more points to play for, we don't have another chance to catch up, we need to be really sharp now and take our chances," said Thelin.

"We have to always take it step by step and we have the aim before the season to arrive to the European spots but right now it is really tight, even to the top six, but our aim and direction hasn't changed.

"So we know it is going to be difficult but we have to be focused and believe in what we are doing and be optimistic."

With Motherwell just five points behind in seventh, Thelin is well aware of the challenge his side face.

"They are on a good run right now, they score goals, two goals every game [in each of their last three matches] and some good results," he said of Michael Wimmer's side.

"They have changed some parts in their way of playing with the intensity, build-up and the attacking so it is a different team from the one we played against last time."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership visit of Motherwell.

Here are the key lines from the Dons boss:

• The shoulder injury goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov picked up on Bulgaria duty is not as bad as first feared, but he faces weeks "and not longer than that" out.

• On the eye issue that has sidelined Sivert Heltne Nilsen recently, Thelin says "that is a longer one" and "quite an unusual injury".

• The return of Kristers Tobers, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, is "more about weeks than months".

• With just three games left before the split, Thelin has warned his side "need to be really sharp now and take our chances".

• He feels Aberdeen are in a "better place now as a team" and heading in the right direction at this important part of the season

• Fourth-place Dons can secure a top-six finish with a win this weekend and Thelin says "we have to take it step by step", adding their aim "hasn't changed" since the start of the season.

• He is expecting a tough game against a Motherwell team who are scoring goals and are on a "good run right now", including victory at Ibrox.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen have won three of their past four home league games against Motherwell (D1), and are looking to win three such meetings in a row against the Steelmen for the first time since March 2017.

• After their 2-0 victor in January, Motherwell could earn back-to-back league wins over Aberdeen for the first time since November 2021 under Graham Alexander.

• Aberdeen have drawn their past two league games, 2-2 against Dundee United and 0-0 versus St Johnstone, last drawing three in a row in February 2022, a run that consisted of draws against St Johnstone, Motherwell and Dundee United.

• After their 2-1 win at Rangers, Motherwell are looking to win back-to-back away league games for only the second time this season, previously doing so in October.

• Aberdeen's Graeme Shinnie has made more tackles (84) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

What if the Scottish Premiership was decided on overperforming your expected goals (xG) rating?

You're rolling your eyes, aren't you? Fair enough, but the above graphic still paints an interesting picture.

In the second column you will see each team's current xG tally after 30 games, but the table is sorted based on the third column, which shows how much each side has overperformed or underperformed by.

For example, the chances leaders Celtic have created throughout the season suggests they should have scored around 77 goals, but Brendan Rodgers' side have surpassed that tally with an overperformance of almost 12 goals.

Remarkably, Dundee have overperformed their xG total of 34 by 11 goals. If Tony Docherty's side could sort out their defensive issues, it's safe to assume they wouldn't be fighting for survival.

It's the opposite for Kilmarnock, with their underperformance of 5.5 showing they have struggled to take their chances. Addressing that is key if Derek McInnes wants to pull his side away from the bottom.

Other underperformers include Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County, while the remainder of the teams in the division appear to be fairly steady.

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.