Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin believes qualifying for European football again is key in the Premiership club's bid to pose a long-term challenge at the top of the Scottish game. (Daily Record), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSFormer Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson believes his old club can sustain their Premiership title challenge.
The Dons have made a blistering start under Jimmy Thelin, whose side are level on points with leaders Celtic having won 10 and drawn one of their opening 11 games.
Anderson said: "I think they can sustain the challenge. Of all the games I have seen so far, I think they are good enough to beat anyone on any given day.
"They have a lot of confidence at the moment and the manager, I have heard him already, it is the old cliche of taking one game at a time. He will be reminding the players about what they are actually doing to allow them to win the games rather than thinking too far ahead.
"So if they continue in that vein and can keep everyone fit, there is nothing to suggest they can’t sustain this for the season.
"And it would be really interesting to see, if they are still neck and neck with Celtic maybe after another 10, 20 games, what that would look like for the run-in."
Anderson is hoping the positivity generated by Thelin's side filters through as he prepares to skipper a team of former Pittodrie players at the Scottish Masters in the Granite City on Thursday night, live on the BBC.
Celtic, Rangers and Dundee United complete the quartet of sides taking part.
Anderson said "There is a feelgood factor about the city when it comes to football at the moment which is nice to see and feel. Hopefully some of that we can take advantage of on Thursday night."
Watch the Scottish Masters live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website on Thursday, 14 November at 19:15 GMT.
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Aberdeen provided the perfect tonic for their Hampden humbling with an eventually convincing victory over Dundee at Pittodrie to continue this remarkable start to the Premiership season.
Their points haul of 31 out of a possible 33 is staggering. Celtic have obviously achieved it as well but only a handful of times in the champions’ history have they managed this sort of opening to a campaign, which shows you just how impressive it has been by the Dons.
There have only been a few examples of sides having won 10 of their first 11 games in a season and not going on to win the title.
That remains a tall order and some bookmakers still make Rangers second favourites behind Celtic, whose odds are anywhere between 1/12 and 1/20. It's up to the Dons players to show they can do what the likes of Leicester City, Montpellier, Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli have done over the last decade or so in their respective countries and overcome those sort of odds.
The international break allows manager Jimmy Thelin to take stock of where Aberdeen are and what lies ahead and that is a tough set of fixtures.
Three away games follow at St Mirren, Hibernian and Hearts and all are venues Aberdeen have struggled at in recent seasons. The Dons are nine league visits to Paisley without success and while they won at Easter Road late last season, that is their only victory in their last seven trips to Leith.
Their record down Gorgie Road leaves a lot to be desired with no wins there since May 2017 and, despite the travails of all three of those sides at times this season, these will be tough assignments.
Once those games are done and dusted there comes a visit to Pittodrie from Celtic in early December. If Thelin can navigate the road trips that lie ahead, what a spectacle that could be.
Former Rangers and Aberdeen striker Billy Dodds ponders which club will finish higher in the Premiership this season, with the Dons currently nine points above Philippe Clement's men after 11 Premiership games.
Kevin Nisbet and Vicente Besuijen combine brilliantly for Aberdeen's third goal just 21 seconds after coming off the bench in Saturday night's 4-1 win over Dundee.
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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has confirmed Jamie McGrath underwent surgery last week in a bid to limit the number of games the Republic of Ireland midfielder will miss. (Press & Journal - subscription), external
Aberdeen's form has put Celtic on alert, says the defending champions' captain Callum McGregor. (Record), external
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
If you want an example of substitutes making an instant impact, look no further than Jimmy Thelin's double swap during the second half of Aberdeen's 4-1 victory over Dundee.
Kevin Nisbet came off the bench to set up fellow sub Vicente Besuijen's goal with a wonderfully weighted free-kick within a minute of coming on, before getting on the scoresheet himself late on.
Could we see him force his way back into Steve Clarke's Scotland squad this season?
Honourable mentions too for Dimitar Mitov and Ante Palaversa, who were unfortunate not to make the cut for my team this week.
What would you like to ask Tom English about Aberdeen?
Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.
Answers will be provided on Tuesday’s episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast and on this page later in the week.
Ante Palaversa had no doubt Aberdeen would bounce back from their League Cup humbling by Celtic, as the Dons got back to winning ways against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership. (Record), external
Watch highlights of Aberdeen's 4-1 win against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
(Available to UK audiences only)
We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 4-1 win against Dundee.
Here's what some of you said:
Steven: This was a big result and our manager has a knack of knowing when to make substitutions that make a difference in the second half of games. We also can't under estimate Dimitar Mitov’s contribution on the penalty save. After the international break we have tough matches but the Dons juggernaut keeps on going.
Lindsey: What a result! Finally a comfortable win. Once again the subs made an impact. Nisbet in particular was superb. Slobodan Rubezic was uncomfortable without Sivert Nilsen in front and made a few clumsy errors, would like to see if Angus McDonald could offer more composure. Nonetheless, with top players missing, our team is never compromised.
Marty: Another convincing win in the end. We possibly rode our luck a bit in the early stages of the game but we were much more clinical and composed in the second half. Again the substitutions changed the game. I can't help thinking how we would be with Bojan Miovski still in the team, although that said it's not like we are struggling to find the back of the net.
John M: Great to get back to winning games and by a good margin. Jimmy and the staff deserve a lot of praise for their work with the squad this week. However, we are giving easy chances to the opposition and again lost a cheap goal, our defenders are poor markers sometimes, Simon Murray should have never had a clear header for the Dundee goal.
William: A decent game of football, both sides trying to play a good game. Dundee were the better side first half but the Dons stuck to their game plan and got the rewards. Great goals and still looking for more, right to the last kick rather than the traditional Scottish way of holding onto what you have.
Fred: Mitov set us up with a great penalty save and again masterful substitutions produced the win. Overall an impressive performance by players and management. We definitely look like the best of the rest. A great match.
Keith: I thought it was a good answer to the question of how we handle a bump in the road. The bus is still motoring, and the wheels are still on. Happy days. It wasn't a complete 90 minute performance, but with Jimmy, we seem to only need 45 minutes most games. Who knows where this season is going, but I'm all in.
Mike: Great to bounce back after last week's heavy defeat with a convincing win. Could have been a different outcome if Dundee had converted their first half penalty though and we would then have had to come from behind. Although we've done that already this season against Hearts.
Daniel: Another Thelin win in the face of those who were at pains to drive home the 'embarrassing' nature of the loss to Celtic. This train isn't derailing that easily. Remember, this is only month five of a three year project.
Niall: A scintillating second half display from the Dons settled this tussle against a quality Dundee side. It's clear that there is such cohesion in this squad with another big impact from the subs, 42 secs for the Vinnie goal must be some kind of record. Comfortable and calm on the ball, intensity in transition and high press are key to success.
Image source, SNSJimmy Thelin disclosed attacker Jamie McGrath missed Aberdeen's 4-1 win over Dundee after undergoing minor facial surgery.
The Republic of Ireland international was taken to hospital after a clash of heads with Ross County goalkeeper Kacper Lopata at the end of August.
The club and the player elected to have the procedure done last week so that McGrath will have time to heal during the international break.
"We had to make a decision after Jamie got a hit against Ross County," the Swede said after the big win at Pittodrie.
"They needed to fix some parts so he had minor surgery. We had to decide whether to do it before this game or wait until after the international break, when he's then going to miss maybe three or four games.
"So, we took the decision to get it done before this game instead and now after the break he'll be fresh to play again.
"It was a minor operation because of that hit in the collision at Ross County.
"There was no danger to Jamie, but we had to do it sometime and that was the perfect opportunity for us to do it.
"To be able to still get the victory without him says a lot to us about the squad.
"Some players have played a lot but then other players take the opportunities and responsibilities.
"So, a season is for a squad, not for a starting XI."
Image source, SNSAberdeen have scored eight goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.
Aberdeen have scored four goals in a game for the first time since 15 May 2024 against Livingston (W5-1).
Kevin Nisbet has scored his third goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 28 September 2024 against Dundee.
Dundee have conceded six goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has conceded more.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says he was happy with Aberdeen's response to their League Cup semi-final defeat after they beat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Aberdeen bounced back from their League Cup semi-final humbling to move ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a sizzling second-half showing at home to Dundee.
Ante Palaversa’s classy finish broke the deadlock at a sold-out Pittodrie, and within four minutes it was two when Topi Keskinen lashed the ball through the legs of Jon McCracken.
Dundee briefly rallied, and Simon Murray - who had a first-half penalty saved - glanced a header into the far corner.
However, their revival was doused just moments later when Vicente Besuijen - only on the pitch for just 42 seconds - raced onto a Kevin Nisbet through ball to finish.
And Nisbet added a late fourth himself, as his deflected shot evaded Jon McCracken.
Jimmy Thelin’s side - who suffered a first defeat of the campaign in losing 6-0 to Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals last weekend - were more like themselves as they extended their unbeaten league run to 11.
Dundee - the last team to beat Aberdeen in the league at Dens Park back in March - drop to seventh as their winless run at Pittodrie stretches to 16 games.
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I'm feeling good, especially for the character of the players and the identity we want to create here.
"In the first half, Dundee were good. Also, we were really open and the game was back and forth.
"We talked about adjusting small things and not panicking. I'm so happy with how we responded. The first 30 minutes of the second half was really strong, and the players who come into the pitch make an impact. They are so sharp.
"[The penalty save] was a really important situation. It's the second time he's saved in the league, and this one is so crucial to keep us in the game.
"The spirit from the first day, they support us. The people give us a lot of energy and we are so grateful for that."
Image source, SNSKevin Nisbet. The Scotland striker came off the bench and set up Vicente Besuijen's goal with a wonderfully weighted free-kick before getting on the scoresheet himself late on.
Andrew Southwick
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAberdeen suffered their first set-back of the season at Hampden last weekend as their unbeaten start came to a shuddering halt.
Despite their lofty position in the table, they still have frailties in defence which Celtic had exposed. And Dundee were keen to test their resolve after that chastening defeat.
However, with the Dons fans packing out Pittodrie for the fourth time in a row, a trip to the Granite City is much tougher these days. Eleven teams have now gone back down the A90 this season with nothing.
Aberdeen needed a Dimitar Mitov penalty save – his second of the season – to keep them level after a first half where Aberdeen had been second best.
Gavin Molloy, who had been at fault when conceding a penalty at Dens Park earlier this season, was the fall guy again when he hauled down Simon Murray in the box. This time his goalkeeper bailed him out.
However, the Dons have a knack of finding another gear after half-time, and they could have won by more with Duk heading off the bar among a string of chances.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Mackenzie, Molloy, Rubezic, Shinnie, Palaversa, Duk, Clarkson, Keskinen, Sokler.
Substitutes: Doohan, Nisbet, McGarry, Besuijen, Morris, Milne, MacDonald, Ambrose, Stewart.
Dundee: McCracken, C.Robertson, Astley, McGhee, Mulligan, Cameron, Adewumi, Murray, Larkeche, Palmer-Houlden, Sylla
Substitutes: Sharp, Ingram, Tiffoney, Main, F.Robertson, Koumetio, Braybrooke, Portales.
Image source, SNSAberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet returns while Dante Polvara will be back in the squad after the international break. Pape Habib Gueye (quad) remains out.
Dundee will be without Julien Vetro after he fainted in the dressing room before last weekend’s win over Kilmarnock. Although there have been no further problems, Dundee are waiting for tests before putting him back in the squad.
Trevor Carson and Scott Fraser will be back in training after the international break while Joe Shaughnessy is working his way back from a long-term knee injury.
MacKenzie 'needs to think' about Aberdeen contract renewal
Defender Jack MacKenzie admits his Aberdeen future is "something I will need to think about very shortly" as his deal enters its final months.
The 24-year-old left-back - who earned a first Scotland call-up last month - is out of contract next summer at his boyhood club.
He said: "To be honest there is not much to report at the moment because I have been trying my best just to focus on the football we have had a lot of massive games.
"I had the Scotland call-up as well so it has all been going on, but it is obviously something I will need to think about very shortly.
"I absolutely love it here, it is where I have been ever since I was a boy. It is where my family are, it is where I have grown up, I do love the club and I am really enjoying it here."
MacKenzie says Aberdeen won't let the League Cup semi-final thrashing by Celtic derail the excellent start to the season they have made.
Dundee visit Pittodrie on Saturday night and the defender said: "Obviously last week was very disappointing, but we came in on Monday morning and just had to go again. To be fair the mood has been very good.
"We know how well we have done this season and we are not letting one result affect that so we haven’t been feeling sorry for ourselves, we have been working hard and ready to go again."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has urged his side not to linger on their League Cup thrashing as they look to continue their unbeaten Premiership start this weekend.
The 6-0 mauling by Celtic at Hampden was Aberdeen's first defeat under Thelin, but they aim to bounce back when they host Dundee on Saturday night.
Asked if the Dons have got the cup defeat out of their system, the Swede said: "Yes, it is not always easy but that is a skill you need as a player or coach.
"Of course you have to take learning points and analyse the game but you have to move on. It is a new game around the corner and you have to put the focus on the right things.
"That is the only way to be better, how you improve from this game. It is another three points to compete for so you have to move on and that is one of the most important things.
"Win or lose, you have to move on but always learn from both games."
Thelin's team, having opened the league campaign with nine wins and a draw, are level on points with leaders Celtic.
This weekend a lot of eyes will be on the Dons to see how they react to a defeat.
"I don’t think it is going to have an impact on the game on Saturday, so for us it is more about the long term and we know we still have things to learn," added Thelin.
"We know we have to improve things all the time and be a little bit quicker as a team in our decisions, a little bit stronger in some areas, and that is the things we work on."
The Pittodrie boss is expecting a tough game against a Dundee side they narrowly defeated 2-1 at Dens Park earlier in the season.
He said: "They had a late winner in their last game, they are strong in what they are doing.
"They are good in some directness but also how they try to get crosses in and transitions, so they have a lot of good things we have to think about."
