Aberdeen

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Cup quarter-final with Queen's Park at Pittodrie.

Here are the key things he said:

• Thelin heaped praise on his captain, Graeme Shinnie, who is set to reach an "incredible" milestone of 600 club games.

• The manager said the Dons "have to be really sharp and ready" for a Queen's Park side who beat Rangers in the last round. When asked what sort of warning that was, he said, "every game is a new game".

• Championship side Queen's Park are a really good side with a good manager, added Thelin.

• On onlookers suggesting Aberdeen are among the favourites to win the Scottish Cup, the manager assured he's not looking beyond the Spiders but that, "we have to believe in ourselves".

• "Improving the start of home games," is an ambition for the manager.

• Thelin confirmed Ester Sokler, Jack Milne and Dante Polvara are all back from injury, "we have strong competition now".

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Queen's Park were the story of the previous round, knocking out Rangers at Ibrox and contributing to the eventual demise of Ibrox manager Philippe Clement.

It is not only that historic result - the first side outside the top tier to have beaten Rangers in the cup on their own patch - that ensures there will be no element of surprise this time when they visit Aberdeen in this weekend's second Scottish Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

The Spiders have visited Pittodrie once before this season, when top-flight Aberdeen had to wait until stoppage time before Topi Keskinen's solitary goal secured progress in August to the League Cup quarter-finals.

Including Ibrox, Callum Davidson's side are three unbeaten on the road, all without conceding, but will need to recover from Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat by Ayr United that leaves them down in sixth place in the Championship.

Jimmy Thelin's hosts have themselves dropped to fourth in the top flight after a 5-1 thumping at Celtic Park and Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United.

However, the Dons' recent inconsistency is at least an improvement on their previous dismal run of one win in 15, they have now only lost once in five outings and they are unbeaten in their latest three at home.

Which all points against Queen's Park causing another major shock in front of a live television audience on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer. Then again, that 2023 humiliation by sixth-tier Darvel is still fresh in Aberdeen's memory.

• Aberdeen lost in the cup semi-finals on penalties to eventual winners Celtic last season.

• Queen's Park last reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals in the 1927–28 season, when they lost to Celtic.

• The Spiders last reached the quarter-finals in the 1981–82 season, losing 2-1 at home to Forfar Athletic.

• Queen's Park have not beaten Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup since their first-ever meeting in November 1889 - when the Glasgow side won 13-1 away from home.

• However, Queen's Park did beat the Dons on penalties in the League Cup in 2006 after 0-0 draw.

• Aberdeen lifted the cup for a seventh time in 2014.

• Queen's Park won cup for their 10th and final time in 1893.

What to look out for on Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.

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Callum Davidson reckons his Queen's Park side are facing "one of the favourites" for the Scottish Cup when they visit Aberdeen on Saturday.

Davidson, who famously won a domestic cup double in 2021 with St Johnstone, guided his current side to a memorable upset in the previous round against Rangers at Ibrox.

Another away trip against a top-flight team awaits at Pittodrie, where the Dons are unbeaten in their previous three games.

"We've knocked one of the favourites out, now we're playing another one of the favourites," Davidson said.

"So it's really important that, can we do something? Can we do something special? That's why you play the game. That's why you play sport.

"You don't play sport just to accept things. You play sport to try and achieve things. And we'll try and do that on Saturday."

Despite Aberdeen's stop-start form lately, they will be buoyed by their late two-goal comeback against Dundee United to rescue a point at the weekend, with Davidson well aware his side will have to be at their best to be in with a chance of cup progression.

"But you know what? It comes down to the game," he adds.

"We've just got to make sure we perform. If we don't perform well, we don't win. I accept that.

"But I just want the boys to be brave and have a go."

We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody's talking about at Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

David: An endemic problem at Aberdeen for many years has been our inability to keep clean sheets, despite numerous defensive changes and formations! If this is not resolved a European place is going to be beyond us this season.

Malky: I would have to go back several months and reiterate that the problem lies with how open and easy to attack we are. We are so fragile defensively. We have somehow stopped attacking with pace and everything is utterly predictable as well. If we can find a middle ground with both of these issues, we will be absolutely fine and more! COYR!

Fred: For me it is the lack of defending consistency and these are now mainly players bought under the new management team. I also wonder about the training regime as we have so many injuries but my main concern is the lack of opportunity given to the young players with real potential.

Douglas: Ageing legs in midfield. A solution is key to turning some talented individuals into a dynamic team.

Scott: We have used eight different players at centre-back with various pairings and still leak soft goals. It must be the tactics and manager's zonal system as not all these players can be at fault.

Kieran: Nobody is talking about how good we will be next season, I believe we will be. Thelin and some players will have more experience because of the Scottish game and be more confident.

After three successive wins, a 5-1 defeat by Celtic and a 2-2 draw with Dundee United leaves Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen fourth in the Scottish Premiership, just one point behind Hibs in third.

After an up-and-down campaign, the Dons are still in the hunt for European football and host Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

You know your club best, so what is the one thing regarding Aberdeen - good or bad - nobody is talking about at Pittodrie?

Let us know., external

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Character has been questioned in recent weeks at Pittodrie and at 2-0 down without a shot on target after an hour, fans had a lot of questions for Jimmy Thelin's side.

A change of personnel and a Kevin Nisbet brace earned what could prove to be a valuable point against Dundee United in the race for that coveted third place.

The concern for Thelin will be how many players were off the pace in that first hour, alarming given the importance of the fixture and the upcoming important games.

The crumb of comfort I will take is that, not only did the crowd stick with the team, but the players' heads didn't drop, they stuck to the task and staged a rousing comeback.

Some may feel it is two points dropped, and maybe last month we wouldn't have come back.

One thing we need to see is a more complete performance, rather than 20-minute spells.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

A new £300m project – which will include a new stadium for Aberdeen and is being compared to the planned redevelopment of Old Trafford – has been unveiled for Aberdeen beach. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen showed excellent battling qualities to come from two goals down and rescue a point against Dundee Utd on Sunday.

A month or so ago such an act of escapology may have been beyond them so in that regard there was tangible proof there is something of a spark there.

However, it was yet another poor start to a game. Aberdeen's first-half performances have been a problem all season, even when they were rampaging through that scarcely believable first quarter of the season.

With the exception of the win over Rangers at the end of October, when they should have been out of sight by half-time, they have been way too slow out of the traps.

It was the same story on Sunday as they found themselves in a hole at the break and once again Jimmy Thelin had to make changes before the second 45 got under way, with Jeppe Okkels and Jack MacKenzie sacrificed.

What we saw in the second half was a determined performance yet the Dons need to find a way of starting games in that manner. A lot of the play in that first half was too ponderous with the forward players taking too many touches when shots at goal were on.

The goals conceded were extremely cheap, which has been another constant throughout the winter months. It could prove to be an important point, but equally it could prove to be a costly two dropped although the Dons fans would have taken a draw as the match ticked into stoppage time.

And so attention returns to the Scottish Cup and a visit from Rangers' conquerors Queen's Park.

Aberdeen know all about the Championship side's qualities having faced them in the League Cup group stage and although they won that one, they were reliant on a late debut goal from Topi Keskinen.

However, it is a home tie against lower-league opposition and Thelin has an enormous opportunity to take the club back to Hampden as they look to end three-and-a-half decades of pain and misery in the tournament.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

The Dons don't do it the easy way.

Aberdeen came from behind to snatch a vital point at home to Dundee United, and the man to thank for that comeback makes my team of the week.

There's been question marks over Kevin Nisbet's contribution at times this season, but he proved his worth with two huge goals to grab an important draw for Aberdeen against Dundee United. He has a great instinct for goalscoring.

We asked for your views after came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

John: A great point. Whatever Jimmy said to them at half-time certainly worked, a team of two halves. Nisbet is looking sharper every game. We know what we have to do, win every game until the split and then take it from there. Great crowd and atmosphere on Sunday, long may it continue.

Mark: Great strength of character by Aberdeen. If the team stop conceding soft goals, more wins will start to happen. Thank goodness the days of negative Goodwin football are gone for us!

Mike: We're still a long way from the finished article, lots of possession but not much end product. To be honest, we're nowhere near the third best team so any European place would be good from here. All in all, a thoroughly disappointing season after our start.

William: Teams don't have to work particularly hard to score against this Aberdeen team. We were worth a point on second half effort but had we started the game this way, we wouldn't have been chasing it. Once again we've assembled a squad of good individuals that can't play as a team.

Paul: Very lucky to get a draw. The whole team looked disinterested for most of the game. My patience with Thelin has all but gone. Its now his team, yet he still persists with players who aren't performing week in, week out. Clueless manager, clueless players, roll on the end of another rubbish season.

Eilidh: Jimmy Thelin is the man for Aberdeen but his favouritism for certain players is his downfall. Jeppe Okkels nowhere near good enough to be starting, he also makes Topi Keskinen weaker by being on the left. Shadyen Morris deserves to start over him. All our games up until the split are must win now.

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• Aberdeen have scored in each of their last four games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

• Kevin Nisbet has now scored five goals in nine appearances in the Premiership against Dundee United.

• Dundee United have lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (20) have lost more.

• Samuel Dalby has scored 13 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Manager Jimmy Thelin told his players to lean on how Pittodrie can make "fans and players come together" to inspire Aberdeen's comeback against Dundee United. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Kevin Nisbet struck in stoppage time as Aberdeen came from 2-0 down to earn a point at home to Dundee United.

Nisbet has struggled at times during his loan from Millwall but his first effort set up a grandstand finish, and his fourth goal in five games ensured the points were shared.

What did you think of that, Aberdeen fans? Was a point deserved? Who impressed you?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "Performance wise, maybe we're not happy with the result. But football is football.

"We started well, but they score and we have to do better in how we defend. It is difficult to be 2-0 down at home at half-time in a really important game.

"But, the belief and the character of the players - and supporters who pushed us until the last second - I'm so proud of that. That atmosphere will be the difference at the end of the season.

"It was important that we didn't lose today and we tried to win. We have to fix some parts and do better but the way we attacked them in the second half was really strong.

"We started quite well but then they score and some stresses come in. The second half we had more players in the box, we were more direct. The players who came on brought a lot of quality.

"I like to see players who, during the season, get better and better. They grow on the training pitch and in the gym. They grow more important on the pitch. Kevin will be an important asset for us now he's showing good form."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Such is the rollercoaster nature of this season, Aberdeen find themselves in a real dogfight for the European places, having been clear in third spot.

After a blistering opening to the campaign, the Dons endured an alarming slide, before seemingly getting themselves back on track with back-to-back wins.

It looked like they would end the weekend in fifth place until Nisbet's late intervention.

The team that prevails in the race to be best of the rest, will need grit, determination and character – as well as a dusting of quality.

We will find out if Aberdeen have the characteristics needed to get them over the line, in the coming weeks.

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Kevin Nisbet. The one-time Scotland striker is doing his best to get back into Steve Clarke's thinking.

He looked a little quiet for large parts, before dragging the Dons back almost single-handedly to earn a point.

Two proper striker's finishes as well.

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Shayden Morris believes Aberdeen are "dealing well" with the pressure of holding onto third sport in the Scottish Premiership.

The Dons sit one point above Sunday's opponents Dundee United, and the 23-year-old forward is hopeful that the home support can inspire an important victory.

"We're looking forward to the game, we know how big the occasion is," said Morris.

"They're close to us in the table, we've played them twice this season and both have been really close games with late winners as well.

"They're doing well this season, they've got a good coach in Jim Goodwin.

"United are a good team, we respect them highly, but being at home, that's a big advantage for us to have the fans behind us like they have been recently.

"I feel like it's a good type of pressure, we're a big team in Scotland, so we want to be in third place. We know that there are other good teams so we're not expecting it to be a massive gap.

"We're dealing with that pressure well and just trying to take every game as it comes.

"We know that from now to the end of the season, every game is a cup final for us, every game we go into is going to be full guns blazing from now on."

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Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers will be assessed. Ester Sokler (hamstring), Dante Polvara (leg) and Jack Milne (ankle) are back training while Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath, Gavin Molloy (both shoulder) remain out.

Ross Docherty (thigh) and Louis Moult (calf) are still missing for Dundee United. Will Ferry limped off along with Luca Stephenson against Hibernian on Wednesday night and will be assessed.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is unflustered about failing to retain Hibs-bound Jamie McGrath after talks over extending his Pittodrie stay failed to "find a solution".

The Republic of Ireland midfielder, whose injury means he has played his last game for the Dons, has signed a pre-contract to move to Easter Road in the summer on a deal until 2029.

Aberdeen confirmed McGrath was happy to remain at the Pittodrie, "but we were not prepared to offer him a four-year extension".

Thelin, speaking before Sunday's visit of Dundee United, said: "We have a good dialogue. It was a discussion about the contract - he was happy to stay but we didn't find a solution.

"He chose another thing for his future and we focus on our future.

"He has behaved really well and is a good player, but sometimes in this sport people go other directions. That's what it is."

Thelin is welcoming the pressure of the five remaining pre-split fixtures as his side aim to secure a top-six spot.

The Dons are third on 41 points, seven clear of St Mirren in seventh before Sunday's match against fifth-place Dundee United, who sit one point back.

"Every game now we have teams that are also quite close," Thelin said. "It's an open race. We know what we need to do and every game is so, so important.

"That's also good - the pressure is there; you have to be sharp every week. We play at home, there's going to be a lot of fans there, a lot of emotions. It's going to be a really good Sunday I hope."

Andrew Southwick
BBC Sport Scotland

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been talking in the build-up to Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• On Jamie McGrath agreeing to join Hibs at the end of the season, Thelin insists the Republic of Ireland midfielder was happy to stay but could not "find a solution". Thelin described McGrath as a "good player" but "it is what it is".

• Thelin feels there are positives to take from the 5-1 loss at Celtic Park last time out, but says they have to defend better.

• The Swede says the past four or five games show the Dons "are more stable and more clear" after ending the their long winless run. His players can feel the competition for places which has made training more intense.

• With just five matches until the split, Thelin stressed that "every game now is so important", and "the pressure is there". He is hoping for a "really good Sunday" at Pittodrie.

• Thelin says more consistency is needed but the players "have been doing an amazing job" and are ready for the last part of the season.

• Team news: Dimitar Mitov and Kristers Tobers are available, but it's still too early for Ester Sokler, Jack Milne and Dante Polvara.