Aberdeen

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The biggest week in Aberdeen's season so far has arrived in both the league and League Cup.

First up is a seismic visit of a Rangers team that simply can't afford to lose. Another Aberdeen victory under the glare of the Pittodrie floodlights would prise open an incredible nine-point gap between the two and may cause all sorts of repercussions down Ibrox way.

Of course, that isn't of Jimmy Thelin's concern as he looks to produce the Dons' greatest ever start to a league season.

Saturday's win over Dundee United saw the club better the start made under Derek McInnes in 2015, when they won their first eight Premiership matches before the wheels came off.

You now have to go back to Jimmy Bonthrone's side, who also won eight and drew one of their first nine in 1971. Eddie Turnbull's former Pittodrie assistant watched his team go unbeaten until matchday 13 that season but they were held to a draw by Celtic in their 10th fixture.

The only other such start to a league season came in 1935, so Thelin has the chance to create history this week.

It is traditionally one of Scottish football's most explosive, headline-inducing fixtures and it may not be for the faint-hearted.

But what an occasion it could be with both teams desperate for the win, with other subplots such as Philippe Clement's future and the return of Connor Barron for the first time since he switched clubs.

Following that will be a League Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden on Saturday, a club the Dons haven't got the better of at the national stadium since 1992, which was at this stage of the same tournament. But Aberdeen go into that one having not lost in 90 minutes to the champions this calendar year despite a now 26-game winless streak against Celtic.

By Saturday evening, the Reds could be sitting pretty in the league and into a cup final having beaten the big two from Glasgow. And if that were to come to pass, it could end up being a very special season for the Dons supporters, who have bought into the Thelin revolution and then some with a third home sellout on the bounce ready to greet the sides on Wednesday evening.

"Humble", adjective, having or showing a modest estimate of one's importance. It is famously the Swede's mantra. But two wins in four days would make it difficult for even the most pessimistic Aberdonian to not dream of what might lie ahead.

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• Aberdeen have only won one of their last 13 home games against Rangers in all competitions (D6 L6), a 2-0 league victory in April 2023.

• Rangers have only lost two of their last 19 league meetings with Aberdeen (W12 D5), although both of those have come in their last five such clashes (W2 D1 L2).

• Aberdeen won their last home league midweek match (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 5-1 over Livingston in May, but haven't won back-to-back such fixtures since December 2018.

• Rangers have won just two of their last nine away league games (D3 L4), and just one of their last six (D2 L3), beating Dundee United 1-0 in September.

• Since the Scottish Premiership rebranded in 2013, Rangers' James Tavernier has more goals against Aberdeen (13) than any player has against a single club in the competition, with 11 of his 13 such strikes being penalties.

Former Aberdeen striker Lee Miller says Jimmy Thelin's "well-drilled" Dons are free of pressure against Rangers and will be relishing the opportunity to extend their unbeaten start with a statement win.

Listen to the big-game preview on the Scottish football podcast

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Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet will be assessed after missing the win over Dundee United with a knock.

Dante Polvara (hamstring) is back in training but not ready to be involved and Pape Habib Gueye (quad) remains out.

Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi returns from suspension while Tom Lawrence has recovered from a knock and John Souttar is available after being rested against St Mirren.

Ridvan Yilmaz, Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo and Danilo are all working with the physios.

Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage regrets not signing Nicky Devlin before the Scotland right-back, 31, joined Aberdeen from Livingston. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

The stage is set for a Pittodrie blockbuster on Wednesday night as Aberdeen look to move nine points clear of a Rangers side who are aiming to inflict a first defeat on Dons manager Jimmy Thelin.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin is taking little notice of Rangers' early-season troubles prior to Wednesday night's showdown at Pittodrie.

The unbeaten Dons go into the game joint top of the Premiership and knowing a win would see them open up a nine-point gap over the third-place Ibrox side, who have lost two and drawn one of their opening nine matches.

Right-back Devlin said: "They are coming off the back of beating someone [FCSB] in Europe by four goals, they beat St Mirren at the weekend, so I don’t think they are in a bad place to be honest.

"They are obviously right behind both us and Celtic just now, I am sure they will look at it as an opportunity to close that gap, to put themselves right back in amongst it, and that is what we are up against.

"We have to be wary of that, we have to bring the best Aberdeen and hopefully that will be enough to win the game."

It has been a dream season so far for Devlin. As well playing a key role in Aberdeen's 15-game unbeaten run, the 31-year-old made his Scotland debut as a substitute in the Nations League draw with Portugal at Hampden.

Devlin admits the Dons have enjoyed a "remarkable turnaround" since their last league defeat, which was away to Dundee in March.

"If you had said to me after Dens Park, Peter Leven’s first game when he took over, we would be in this position, I probably wouldn't have believed you," he said.

"It has been a remarkable turnaround since then, but it is something we want to keep building on.

"From the start of the season there was an excitement. [Jimmy Thelin] was a managerial appointment that probably not many people in Scotland knew much about, I would probably say most of the squad as well were very similar, didn’t really know what to expect.

"But he has instilled a belief in us to go and try and win every game, and that is what we have managed to do for most of season so far."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Wednesday night's Premiership encounter with Rangers at Pittodrie.

Here are the key points:

• Thelin says Rangers are "a good team" with an experienced manager.

• Asked if Aberdeen are favourites going into the game, Thelin says "I don’t speculate about those kind of things" and "every game is a challenge".

• On whether the pressure is all on Rangers - who would be nine points adrift of the Dons if beaten - says: "It is so early, we are in October. I don’t think about the table in that way or how many points etc, for me the most important thing is the performance for ourselves in this game and that is the only thing we focus on."

• Despite their fine form, Thelin insists Aberdeen have a lot of things still to improve on.

• He rejected any notion his team may have an eye on this weekend's League Cup semi final with Celtic.

• Asked if Kevin Nisbet would be fit for the Rangers game, Thelin said "maybe". Dante Polvara is the only other absentee.

Considering Aberdeen survived what was seen as the first major test of Jimmy Thelin's buoyant new era by coming from two down to draw at Celtic Park, they will go into a home game against a vulnerable Rangers with growing belief of sustaining a title challenge.

Brendan Rodgers' reigning champions are the only side to have denied the Swede's side a victory in 15 outings this season - and nine of the victories, including Sunday's 1-0 win over Dundee United, have come in front of their home fans.

A 3-1 defeat at home to a less intimidating Aberdeen last September was a contributing factor to Michael Beale's demise as Rangers manager and the Ibrox side have failed to win at Pittodrie in their latest two visits.

Current Ibrox boss Philippe Clement arrives with grumbles among the fanbase growing over his own position just over a year since the Belgian took charge.

Rangers recovered from their insipid 1-0 defeat in Kilmarnock with a convincing 4-0 dismissal of FCSB in the Europa League, but they then laboured to a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.

Those wins were both at Ibrox. Away from Govan, Clement's side have only won twice in six outings this season and, in the Premiership, have taken all three points just twice in nine outings - one in their last six.

At least he knows how to beat Aberdeen, albeit winning their latest two meetings came before they came under Thelin's spell - and, again, those were at home.

Clement left Pittodrie with a 1-1 draw on his only visit there almost exactly a year ago, but a repeat would do little to ease the pressure on the former Club Brugge boss considering it would leave Rangers still six points behind the Dons and probably more adrift of Celtic.

Clement surprised many by dropping captain James Tavernier to the bench on Sunday. A return for the Englishman seems likely considering his 13 goals against Aberdeen is more than any player has against a single club since the Premiership was rebranded in 2013.

Read all the midweek Premiership picks

Gary Scott
Fan writer

As the rain lashed down over Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday evening, Jimmy Thelin's hooded figure looked every inch the Jedi Knight and such is Aberdeen’s remarkable turnaround in fortunes under the Swede, it's hard not to believe he may hold the Force in his hands.

Dundee United were the latest victims of Thelin's vibrant side as the Dons stretched their unbeaten run to 25 games and sat top of the pops on their lonesome for 24 hours.

After a fairly tepid and even first 45 minutes, it was Thelin's substitutions that worked a treat. Similarly to last time out at Parkhead, the Swede was not shy about making a change during the break as Topi Keskinen was swapped for Shayden Morris, who played a key role in shifting the momentum of the game in Aberdeen's favour.

The 22-year-old winger, ironically signed by Jim Goodwin, is perhaps the most obvious example in the change in fortunes that Thelin has brought. Morris' Pittodrie career seemed sunk, but Thelin has transformed him into an old-fashioned winger – full of drive, vigour and determination.

Morris' introduction pinned Will Ferry into a defensive position for much of the second half and United ended up having to double up on the winger.

This, coupled with his willingness to stick to his wing, created huge gaps across midfield which the Dons were able to attack with impunity. Another set of positive subs from Thelin saw three more attacking players take to the field.

Even as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, there was an unerring calm around Pittodrie that a goal would arrive.

Arrive it did, Peter Ambrose notching his first league goal of the season after Nicky Devlin maintained his knack of popping up in the right place at the right time to outmuscle Ferry and knock the ball back for the striker to sweep home.

A guttural roar greeted Ambrose's winner and the full-time whistle sparked scenes we didn't think were possible – yes, Thelin broke out a wee jig on the pitch.

The midweek visit of Rangers to Pittodrie has all the makings of a classic of the SPFL genre.

A win for the Dons would see them open up a nine-point gap on their Govan rivals prior to Saturday's trip to Hampden to face Celtic in the League Cup semi-final. Some week ahead, and the Red Army can't wait.

Gary Scott can be found at The ABZ Football Podcast, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen continued their impressive start to the season nabbing all three points with a late winner against Dundee United, and the Dons have two players in my Team of the Week.

Aberdeen have been scintillating as an attacking entity under Jimmy Thelin, but defensively they have been sound as well. Gavin Molloy has played a major part in this. "He can grow into something special," the words of Dons legend Willie Miller after his display on Saturday. He should know. Molloy also played his part in the Aberdeen winner against Dundee United with an excellent left foot delivery into the box.

Shayden Morris changed the game for Aberdeen when he came on in the second half. He's shown glimpses in the past that he can be a real asset. Has the chance now - in a winning side - to show he can do it consistently.

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Lee Miller reflect on Aberdeen's performance in their 1-0 win against Dundee United.

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

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Jimmy Thelin is hoping for another full house at Pittodrie as Aberdeen prepare to host Rangers on Wednesday night.

After coming from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against Celtic before a late winner against Dundee United, Thelin stretched his unbeaten run to 15 games.

Their next test comes on Wednesday night against a Rangers side who se last Premiership game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock.

"The players get these extra metres in the legs at the end of the games and keep pushing and pushing because of the support we have and this atmosphere," Thelin said.

"I hope Pittodrie is a full house again on Wednesday.

"We know it’s a big game but for us we have to focus on the right things and then we take on the game on Wednesday and try to be the best we can be and fight for the three points.

"We will try to work as usual in how we prepare ourselves. Rangers are a really strong team, they are good, so it will be a tough game.

"We know we need to stay focused on the right things. We need some short days now to prepare ourselves and reload and prepare for that game."

Dons fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's 1-0 win over Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Cameron: These are the games that we need to be winning if we have any chance at splitting the Old Firm. It's too early to be talking about making a run at the title, but considering where we ended last season, I could not be happier with the progress we are making under the new manager.

William: I have been a supporter since I was four, I'm now 81, and I love seeing them playing as a team and working for each other. I love watching them. Still a bit to go but the manager knows the game and has proven that every game. We can't afford to lose him.

Marty: The dream continues. Another determined, gritty and professional display by Aberdeen. You can tell what it means to every player. What Jimmy Thelin has done is build a bond between everyone involved at the club and created a feeling of unity and togetherness. Can we challenge for the league? Absolutely, 100 per cent.

Bruce: Jimmy seems to have a real knack of creating unlikely heroes – Peter Ambrose this time. I hated United's spoiling tactics, bringing down players on dangerous breaks. When it happens repeatedly, a simple yellow card for each player isn't enough punishment when so many subs can be made. Perhaps warn the captain after two, then straight red for the third offender.

Jim: Another fairly dominant performance. Another one where we didn't get as many goals as I felt we could have, or should, but absolutely no complaints, a win is a win. I feared for a moment that United would sneak an equaliser with one of their long throws, especially with Slobodan Rubezic undergoing treatment. This match showed we can break down deep defending teams too.

Stuart: An excellent result despite playing against a team who came for a draw, the real tests now come in the next two games. At least Rangers will come and try to win the game but another packed Pittodrie should bring out the best in our lads.

Donald: I'm with Jimmy on taking one game at a time. That way the players, the team and the fans shouldn't get ahead of themselves. It is absolutely correct to repeat that you don't win trophies in October. The start to the season has been fantastic but there is a long, long way to go. We require to keep our feet on the ground, for now.

Jacqui: Aberdeen's victory over Dundee United may not have been a masterclass in beautiful football but it is precisely these kinds of hard-fought wins that define true champions. The ability to dig deep, to stay resilient in challenging moments, and to grind out results when the game is scrappy shows a level of grit and determination.

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• Aberdeen have scored five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Dundee United (six) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have conceded four goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has conceded more.

• Aberdeen are undefeated in their last 18 games in the Premiership, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2013/2014).

• Dundee United failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it's the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the Premiership since facing Rangers on 15th September 2024.

Did you take in Aberdeen's win over Dundee United?

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "[The substitutes] were so good. I'm happy for the players and the team. We have an amazing team spirit. It is a strong togetherness.

"We always try to find solutions. First half, we were open. We did not play exactly how we wanted. We talked at half-time about patience and finding more crosses. I hope everyone enjoyed this evening. Tomorrow we start working for the next game again."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Scottish Premiership defeat is becoming a distant memory for Aberdeen supporters, last experiencing such ignominy 18 games ago in mid-March.

And it is the manner in which the Dons are finishing games that impresses the most. Late goals have secured victory against Queen's Park, Ross County, Hearts and now Dundee United while dogged defending squeezed out a point at Celtic Park last weekend.

Manager Jimmy Thelin's alterations in the second half forced the issue with Dundee United having less and less of a foothold in the match following Shayden Morris' introduction and scorer Peter Ambrose offering a different threat to Luis 'Duk' Lopes.

Aberdeen's next two fixtures could be season defining with Rangers' midweek league visit followed by Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.

Shayden Morris improved Aberdeen's performance after coming on as a half-time substitute.

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Jimmy Thelin opts to make three changes ahead of his first taste of the New Firm derby.

Centre-forward Ester Sokler starts after scoring last weekend versus Celtic after his introduction at half-time started off their two-goal comeback.

Duk returns to the Dons' starting XI for the first time this season after going AWOL in the summer. Also slotting into the line-up is Croatian midfielder Ante Palaversa.

Club captain Graeme Shinnie drops to the bench after netting the equaliser last Saturday, with attacking midfielder Leighton Clarkson also named amongst the substitutes.

Kevin Nisbet is the third player dropping out of the XI as the striker misses out entirely alongside injured pair Dante Polvara and Pape Habib Gueye.