Aberdeen

Gary Scott
Fan writer

This Scottish football lark is a piece of cake, isn’t it?

Jimmy Thelin made it six wins from his first six games in charge as his Aberdeen side comfortably saw off St Mirren on Sunday afternoon to maintain a 100% start to their Premiership campaign.

There is an uncharacteristic wave of optimism sweeping the North East about the season ahead.

Contrary to Stephen Robinson’s view of the game, Aberdeen were in command from the first whistle. Only a defensive mix-up between Gavin Molloy, Slobodan Rubezic and Dimitar Mitov allowed Saints the opportunity to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

Jamie McGrath’s strong start to the campaign continued as he grabbed another goal and assist before forgotten man Vinnie Besuijen got on the scoresheet for the first time since October 2022 as he dived to head home an incredible cross ball from Graeme Shinnie.

With Pape Habib Gueye notching his first Aberdeen goal, Thelin will be incredibly encouraged by the fact there have been 12 separate scorers already this season.

Perhaps most crucially, none have come via talismanic striker Bojan Miovski, who took the acclaim of the Pittodrie faithful for one final time before his imminent move to La Liga side Girona is finalised this week.

Miovksi has been a class act from the minute he arrived from MTK Budapest in the summer of 2022 and his tally of 44 goals in 98 appearances only tells one part of his journey with Aberdeen. There can be no doubt he has improved significantly during his time in the North East, becoming a truly all-round No. 9.

As much as Miovksi has been good for Aberdeen, Aberdeen has been good for Miovski. And he will be delighted to secure a move to a top five European league as well as to a side with Champions League football to contend with this season.

Thelin has been able to keep up the positive momentum with the acquisition of Finland Under21 starlet Topi Keskinen from HJK Helsinki.

With a rumoured transfer fee of just over €1m, and with Aberdeen fighting off competition from the likes of Blackburn, Sunderland and Middlesbrough along with interest in Italy and the MLS, this is a real statement signing by Aberdeen and Thelin appears to have played no small part in convincing Keskinen that his future lay at Pittdrie.

While no Aberdeen fan will want to get ahead of themselves, this feels like a club that has finally got to grips with itself.

All eyes now focus on a first meeting with Queen’s Park at Pittodrie since 1972 on Saturday in the League Cup, which is also a chance to get one step closer to the club's first silverware since 2014.

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It might not be much of a comfort now, but in time it could be.

If reports, and Bojan Miovski's apparent goodbye to Aberdeen fans on Sunday, are anything to go by, his impending departure could be "really good business", according to former striker Rory Loy.

Figures as high as £7 million are being circled, and Loy - who followed Aberdeen in the Conference League with BBC Radio Scotland last season - believes such a fee is "exactly on the nose" and can only be an aid to Jimmy Thelin's fine start in the Dons dugout.

"I think it's a good fee, £7 million is a very good fee actually," Loy said on the Scottish Football Podcast. "How much of that is upfront, or add-ons, you never know how deals are structured these days, it's far more complicated than it used to be.

"There has to be an element of the league in it, but I think for Miovski, £7 million is exactly on the nose. It's really good business for Aberdeen, and Thelin will be hoping it gives him a little bit of a budget to go and get somebody because Miovski - as good as he is - was signed when he was an unknown face, so I'm unsure what he would have been earning.

"Aberdeen may now be able to go out and get somebody in and offer them good money.

"We'll see who fills that hole, but it's certainly a very good start for Thelin, a start which also gives him leverage to go to the board and say, 'a couple more signings and we'll be pushing and challenging'."

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Topi Kiskinen has already sampled the "amazing atmosphere" at Pittodrie, but the newest Aberdeen recruit is hungry for more.

The Finland under-21 international played against the Dons in last season's Conference League for HJK Helsinki, and was impressed by the "real football stadium" vibes it gave off.

Now, he'll be calling Pittodrie home, and the young winger is hoping to create many happy memories - and goals - at his new stomping ground.

"I remember when we had matchday minus one [here last season], I said to my team-mates at the time, 'this is a real football stadium',” Keskinen said on signing a four-year deal with the Dons.

“The atmosphere was amazing. I remember it being super nice and it was a great stadium to play in.

“My first impressions of Aberdeen, and the training ground are very good. Everything is very professional, everything is done properly."

Many Aberdeen fans will no doubt remember the direct and deft winger from last season's European games, but in case anyone was in any doubt, Keskinen reminded all what he's about.

“I would say that I am a really aggressive player, an attacking winger who likes one-v-one situations, and also running behind the lines," he told club media. "I am a player who always gives my all.

“Scoring goals is the best part of playing football, and hopefully I can chip in with some goals for Aberdeen, but I always like to create chances for my team-mates, that is what I do.

“I am just looking forward to meeting all the fans at the stadium. Hopefully we will have some nice moments together and I will score some goals so we can celebrate together. That is what I want.”

An expected Aberdeen bid will reportedly trigger the release clause that could lead to the signing of St Johnstone forward Adama Sidibeh, 26. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Shayden Morris is eager to show Aberdeen can thrive without striker Bojan Miovski, who is close to joining Girona. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Aberdeen could face competition from LASK and Salzburg for Fulham defender Ibane Bowat, 21, having agreed a £500,000 fee for the Scotland Under-21 international. (Aberdeen Live), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Dons fans, we asked for your views after that 3-1 win over St Mirren on Sunday and what may have been Bojan Miovski's final game for Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Eric: A good win but still some very worrying signs in central defence, I still think we need to strengthen this area. Good to see some fringe players get their chance. Farewell to Bojan, wish him all the best with Girona. Will be watching his progress and he will remain in the fans' hearts for a long time.

Duncan: Great positive start to the season but that is all it is. Great to see the progression on the pitch, quick one touch football, balanced and controlled aggression. Once Jimmy Thelin gets the final pieces bedded in over the course of the season, we will be a joy to behold. This work in progress will be a pleasure to support.

Allan: A great start to both league and League Cup campaigns with a variety of players scoring shows we are now more than one man. Sure Bojan will be missed at some point but it’s up to the guys left to get a decent amount of goals.

Donald: Very decent start to the season by Thelin's Dons. St Mirren were always going to be a tough test and it's a positive measure of this side's capabilities to defeat them so comprehensively and deservedly. The icing on the cake would’ve been a Miovski goal. Thank you Bojan for all your commitment and true class, once a Don always a Don!

Steve: Take nothing away from yesterday’s game, three valuable points, but it was all about saying goodbye to our talisman striker Miovski! We can only but thank him for his 100% commitment to our cause, unlike Duk has shown towards Aberdeen. He can leave with his head held high along with an impressive goal ratio to his credit. Thank you Bojan - a Dons legend.

John: Great start to the new season the real test will be when we play against the Old Firm. We still have to find a replacement for Bojan.

Mark: The squad's getting stronger with new signings and the eventual return of Clarkson and Polvara. However some of the Pittodrie regulars need to show more patience and are far too quick to criticise players almost from kick-off. One step at a time and we'll be fine if patience is shown.

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Replacing Bojan Miovski will prove incredibly difficult for Aberdeen because they will lose more than just a goal-scorer, according to former Scotland defender Stephen O'Donnell.

Miovski appeared to wave goodbye to the Pittodrie faithful after Sunday's win over St Mirren.

Manager Jimmy Thelin refused to confirm whether the North Macedonia international will leave the club, but Miovski is expected to sign for La Liga side Girona in the coming days.

"Miovski's movement, stretching the team, coming short so he can link the play, he's very much an all-round striker," O'Donnell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Losing that on top of the goals is kind of extra salt in the wounds but the positive is they're getting a good bit of money for him.

"It's so important that the manager's given that to go and strengthen. He obviously will be a big miss for Aberdeen but for their sake, I hope they get the money to spend."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen were superb again against St Mirren on Sunday, and continued their perfect record under new manager Jimmy Thelin.

Jamie McGrath makes my Team of the Week. He once again proved his worth to the Dons with a superbly taken goal plus an assist.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen host St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

The deal to take Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski to Girona is almost done and the 25-year-old is poised to join the La Liga club next week. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Aberdeen made it two Scottish Premiership wins out of two against St Mirren as Pittodrie fans bid an apparent farewell to Bojan Miovski.

The striker, who has scored 44 Dons goals over the past two years, made a likely swansong off the bench amid talks between Girona and Aberdeen over his future and appeared emotional while he waved to supporters after full-time.

Pape Habib Gueye nodded the hosts in front but Toyosi Olusanya capitalised on sloppy defending to force a leveller on half-time.

Jamie McGrath finished well after Ester Sokler's cross had been helped on by Shayden Morris and Vicente Besuijen headed in Graeme Shinnie's cross for Aberdeen's third.

Click here , externalto have your say on Aberdeen's win.

BBC Scotland's Andy Campbell

Aberdeen initially struggled to find the fluidity of the performance that produced an opening weekend win at St Johnstone.

When they first found the net, it was largely down to St Mirren. Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe conceded possession near his box and a corner soon followed. Jamie McGrath's delivery had curl but Balcombe was suspect as he came off his line only to see Pape Habib Gueye find the net.

Their second-half goals, though, were much more in-keeping with their early season form as their attacking players combined to find the opening for McGrath to score and then Graeme Shinnie picked out Vicente Besuijen from deep.

With Queen's Park visiting Pittodrie next week, continuing their 100% season's record would mean a League Cup quarter-final place for Jimmy Thelin's side.

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Jamie McGrath provided the assist for Aberdeen's opener and scored their crucial second.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "We still have parts to improve but the fighting spirit is amazing.

"They give everything they have and they do it together, so I'm delighted with that. It's a strong group.

"I can't say anything about [Girona-linked Bojan Miovski]. There's still strong interest in him but still he's here. That's all I can say."

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Molloy, Rubezic, MacKenzie, McGrath, Heltne Nilsen, Shinnie, Morris, Gueye, Sokler.

Substitutes: Doohan, Jensen, Miovski, McGarry, Besuijen, Milne, Duncan, Boyd, Ambrose.

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Iacovitti, Rooney, Adeniran, Boyd-Munce, Idowu, Tanser, Olusanya, Scott.

Substitutes: Urminsky, Bwomono, Kenny, R Taylor, Brown, F Taylor, Smyth, Ayunga, Mandron.

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New signing Ante Palaversa and defender Angus MacDonald are not quite ready to feature for Aberdeen, who remain without midfielders Leighton Clarkson (shoulder) and Dante Polvara (hamstring) and the AWOL Duk.

Lewis Jamieson returned to training at St Mirren on Friday following his recovery from a thigh injury. Captain Mark O’Hara also has a thigh injury and will be assessed while Conor McMenamin (knee) and Greg Kiltie (ankle) are both long-term absentees.

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Jimmy Thelin is refusing to get carried away despite five wins from his opening five games in charge of the Dons.

The Swedish manager oversaw a perfect League Cup group stage campaign, before beginning the Premiership season with a 2-1 win away to St Johnstone last weekend.

They host St Mirren - who drew 1-1 against Brann in Conference League qualifying on Thursday - in the league on Sunday, and Thelin is expecting a tough test.

"They are a consistent team, I think they are structured really well with how they defend," he said.

"Brann were also very good but they managed to stay in the game and they got an opportunity for an equaliser and they took it.

"In their game against Hibs, in the first half they struggled a little bit but in the second half they scored three goals. They are a team fighting to the end.

"It is going to be a challenge for sure. We need to stay humble and keep working. We have only played one game in the league.

"We have a lot of things to improve. We are going to keep trying and trying and put on a good performance."

Aberdeen have agreed a £860,000 deal and fought off Blackburn Rovers to land Finnish winger Topi Keskinen. (lMTV Urheilu via Daily Record, external)

Spanish club Girona have bid more than £4m for Bojan Miovski but will need to up the ante again if they want to sign the Aberdeen striker. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Jimmy Thelin says Croatian midfielder Ante Palaversa has the "hunger" to succeed at Aberdeen after joining from Troyes for an undisclosed fee.

"He has a spirit," said the manager, who is undefeated so far with the Dons.

"He has a way to get back on a good track in his career. He has had some setbacks in the last years.

"The hunger is there and that is really important for me when you sign a player and you can see it in his eyes how much he wants to play for Aberdeen and how hard he wants to work to achieve something.

"That is the first part and in profile, he is more like a box-to-box midfielder and linking the play. It is a different profile to Graeme [Shinnie] and Sivert [Heltne Nilsen].

"It is good to have the other tools to use inside our game."

The 24-year-old, who was a £7m signing for Manchester City five years ago, is unlikely to make his Dons debut on Sunday when Thelin's side face St Mirren in their first home game of the Premiership season.

"If you ask him he will be [ready] but I think it is a bit too early," added Thelin.

"We need to be careful about the team training and these kind of things. I think he will be ready quite soon but maybe not for the weekend."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin addresses the future of star striker Bojan Miovski, who is in talks with Spanish side Girona as he nears a Pittodrie exit.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been talking to the media before his side's Premiership match against St Mirren on Sunday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Bojan Miovski is still an Aberdeen player and trained with the club today after the North Macedonia international held talks with Spanish side Girona.

• Thelin described the speculation around the striker as "intense", but wouldn’t say whether Miovski was on his way out of the club.

• Rumours have linked the Dons with a move for Finnish winger Topi Keskinen, but Thelin said he would never comment on other team’s players.

• The manager described his latest signing Ante Palaversa as a "box-to-box" player who will help link the play.

• Thelin described coach Peter Leven, who led the club on an interim basis last season, as a good coach and an "important part of the staff" after he was linked with the managerial vacancy at Raith Rovers.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski is keen to make a move to Girona, who are set to make an improved bid for the 25-year-old North Macedonia international. (Daily Record), external

Genoa have pulled out of the race to sign Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski with talks with Spanish club Girona having reached an advanced stage. (Sky Sports), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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