Aberdeen

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Aberdeen's winning streak cannot last forever, but Jimmy Thelin's side are riding the crest of a "feel-good" wave, according to The Scotsman's sport editor Mark Atkinson.

The Dons came from behind to beat Hearts 3-2 at Pittodrie on Sunday, with Ante Palaversa's late winner making it 13 consecutive wins to start the season.

Aberdeen are second in the Scottish Premiership, only behind Celtic on goal difference.

"There's so much feel-good factor at Aberdeen right now and they are loving life under Thelin," Atkinson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think they also know that at some point it's going to come to an end, and especially the performance yesterday, I think better teams and more confident teams would have taken something off them.

"But to be in the position they are at the moment, top with Celtic, a 100% record, it's beyond the club's wildest dreams."

Hearts spurned several good chances in the game, and Atkinson believes the Pittodrie crowd pushed Aberdeen over the line.

"[Hearts] really deserved something from that match but when winning becomes a habit you just keep going, and Aberdeen responded really well to going 2-1 down," Atkinson said.

"The crowd got right behind them and then when Hearts went down to 10 men and when Duk came on they just went for it.

"Sometimes you just know in a football stadium that a team is going to score and it felt like that winning Aberdeen goal was coming."

Watch former Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn's assessment of the Dons, after Jimmy Thelin's side won their 13th game in a row.

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after that late victory over Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Eric: Great strength of character to come back and win the game. Strength from the bench definitely added to the final push and great to see Duk and Ante Palaversa show what they can do. If we can stop leaking goals, then there is a great chance we can finish in the top three. We really need to take care with opposition players sneaking in at the back.

Dave: Realistically Hearts should have won the game if they had kept their heads and converted their chances and avoided senseless bookings. But the willpower of Aberdeen when they went 2-1 down was immense and they had the strength and depth off the bench to win it in the end.

Anon: We have had a few shaky moments in recent games but yet again came good in the end. Dimitar Mitov needs coaching on clearing the ball. He needs a strong fist to get it well out of the danger area. He was involved in both Hearts goals. Celtic away next, not sure we will get away with errors there. However, I'm really enjoying the moments for now.

Euan: There is a determination and steeliness about Aberdeen I’ve not seen since the early 90s. If we can stay in contact at the top come the New Year and bring a couple more players in in January then who knows what might happen.

Justin: Fantastic to get three points but I can't not be a little worried about how easily (and often) Hearts ripped us apart. Nonetheless a great fightback and a wonderful result but not all roses. It will be very tough against Celtic if they're given so much space and time.

Gordon: A win's a win but we must be honest that we didn't deserve that today. For most of the game until the sending off Hearts were the better team by some margin. How can Jimmy Thelin have Palaversa sitting on the bench for 70 minutes? He is an amazing player, the best we've got by a country mile. Come on Jimmy, play him!

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Football fairytales spring up all the time and Nicky Devlin's story is another one.

A first Scotland call-up at the age of 30, and a spring in the step clearly seen with a superb display for the Dons, including a goal in their win against Hearts.

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• Hearts have failed to win in their last 10 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 23rd November 2019 to 22nd January 2020.

• Aberdeen have scored in their last 12 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 12 games from 17th January 2016 to 8th April 2016.

• Aberdeen have won their last 7 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 25th February 2023 to 23rd April 2023.

• Hearts have conceded 3 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only St. Johnstone (4) have conceded more.

• Aberdeen have scored 3 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has more.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen beat Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Aberdeen fans, when you come down from cloud nine, get in touch with your thoughts on a thrilling victory at Pittodrie.

Thirteen wins on the bounce and Jimmy Thelin is still cool as a deep frozen cucumber.

Use this link for all things Dons.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland: "It's a lot of emotions. The atmosphere pushed us until the last minute to find a winning goal.

"Hearts were really good, they pushed us in some areas and we struggled a little bit, but we found ways to come back. The hunger we have in the team, I'm so happy with that character. The whole of Pittodrie was bouncing. It's a night to remember."

On meeting Celtic next...

"We have to improve in our positioning and that's down to me and my staff," he adds. "We stayed in the game and slowly got better. It's the perfect sign of a good character."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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This victory opens up a 19-point gap between Aberdeen and Hearts, who strolled to third place last term. Thelin's side have a game in hand on the Edinburgh side, too.

The Dons were far from fluent, struggling to retain possession against aggressive opponents.

There were a few hairy moments at the back as well, with a defence that had only conceded five in 12, making some sloppy errors.

Hearts really should have added to their tally, but the way Aberdeen responded to going behind for the first time in the league under their Swedish manager was hugely impressive.

Palaversa, Ester Sokler and Duk made a positive impact from the bench, adding muscularity to the attack.

Duk, who refused to return to the club over the summer in a bid to force a transfer, went some way to winning over fans with a cameo full of energy.

Devlin's volley from the edge of the box was a clever piece of improvisation and the full-back, called up for the first time by Scotland, celebrated a great sliding block to deny Shankland with just as much gusto.

The Aberdeen defence had a few shaky moments but right-back Nicky Devlin conjured up a lovely volley to get it back to 2-2 and afterwards made a fantastic goal-saving block to deny Lawrence Shankland.

The Dons' remarkable winning run has buoyed confidence at Pittodrie and a first Scotland call up is merited.

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Aberdeen striker Pape Gueye was this week ruled out until early 2025 with a quad muscle tear and midfielder Dante Polvara remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime will be assessed after going off with what interim boss Liam Fox described as "fatigue" during Thursday's win over Dinamo Minsk.

Musa Drammeh is back in contention after not being included in the squad for European matches. Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) and Gerald Taylor (knee) are both out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has no interest in looking at the Premiership table as he stands on the brink of a Scottish record.

Thelin, whose current run of 12 wins equals Martin O'Neill's 100% start at Celtic in 2000, will set a new milestone should his side defeat Hearts at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Aberdeen trail leaders Celtic on goal difference and will move 19 points clear of bottom club Hearts with victory.

Thelin said: "It is so early in the season, I am not thinking about the past or how much the gap is to other teams.

"We have a lot of games to play and our only focus is this game and also how they (Hearts) performed the last two games, they have done really well, they have played stable.

"Liam [Fox] has made some changes and some good things to add to the team, so we need to be 100% prepared for the game on Sunday.

"We can talk about the table when we have one game to play at the end of the season, but not now."

The Swede praised 30-year-old defender Nicky Devlin, who this week received his first call-up to the Scotland squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

He said: "That is so nice with this sport, you can never stop learning. There is always something to learn and improve wherever you are in your career, how old or young you are.

"And the hunger he shows, he trains so well every training session and performs in the games, so everybody here is happy for him and it is going to be a nice experience for him."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin urges caution over the Dons' impressive start to the season as there "are a lot of points left". (Record), external

No player's place is safe in the Aberdeen starting line-up, says captain and midfielder Graeme Shinnie. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

In: Jimmy Thelin, manager (Elfsborg); Topi Keskinen, forward (HJK Helsinki); Ante Palaversa, midfielder (Troyes, undisclosed); Sivert Heltne Nilsen, midfielder (Brann, undisclosed); Dimitar Mitov, goalkeeper (St Johnstone, undisclosed); Peter Ambrose, forward (Ujpest, undisclosed); Noah McDonnell, defender (Larne, undisclosed); Gavin Molloy, defender (Shelbourne).

Loan in: Kevin Nisbet, forward (Millwall).

Out: Bojan Miovski, forward (Girona, undisclosed); Connor Barron, midfielder (Rangers, undisclosed); Junior Hoilett, forward (Hibernian); Kelle Roos, goalkeeper (Triestina); Kieran Ngwenya, defender (Dunfermline Athletic); Aaron Reid, forward (Airdrieonians); Finlay Murray, defender (Cove Rangers); Jonny Hayes, midfielder (retired); Liam MacDonald, midfielder (Elgin City); Jayden Richardson, defender; Anthony Stewart, defender.

Loan ended: Stefan Gartenmann, defender (Midtjylland); Killian Phillips, midfielder (Crystal Palace).

Loan out: Richard Jensen, defender (Vejle Boldklub); Alfie Bavidge, forward (Ayr United); Ryan Duncan, forward (Queen's Park); Blair McKenzie, defender (Montrose); Dylan Lobban, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Adam Emslie, forward (Cove Rangers); Findlay Marshall, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Tom Ritchie, goalkeeper (Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Graeme Shinnie says the contrasting fortunes of Aberdeen and Sunday's opponents Hearts illustrates the "mad" nature of football.

If the joint-top Dons continue their 100% start with a seventh straight league win they will move 19 points clear of the capital club.

Wind back a few months to last season - Hearts finished third, 20 points ahead of seventh-place Aberdeen.

Captain Shinnie said: "Football is mad, isn’t it? In different seasons, different things happen.

"The year before that we finished third, it can change all the time. We are focused on trying to continue our run, continue what we have been doing well and build on it and keep getting better.

"Football is mad, mad things happen, we all know that, but Hearts are a good side and we are well aware of that. We know what we have to do to try and win."

Shinnie believes the competition for places all over the park has been a key factor behind the Dons' winning start under Jimmy Thelin.

"That is the way it has to be at a club like this," the midfielder said.

"That is testament to the work that has been done here, everybody knows the jobs they have to do.

"Everybody is ready and focused and when they are called upon, which they will be – it is a long season and we know everybody is needed - players are ready to take their chance.

"That is crucial for us, and it pushes other people on as well to think ‘it is never safe here, my position is not safe and I need to perform to the top of our abilities to keep our place in the team’ – which is very healthy for the squad."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Aberdeen's Premiership encounter with Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the key points from the press conference:

• On the potential of opening a 19-point gap over Hearts, Thelin said: "We can talk about the table when we have one game to play at the end of the season, not now."

• Pape Habib Gueye has had surgery on the muscle injury that will sideline the striker for three months and is "still a really positive guy", says Thelin.

• The Dons boss expressed delight at Nicky Devlin's first Scotland call-up, adding it shows "you can never stop learning" and praised "the hunger he shows".

• He spoke of his happiness that coach Peter Leven has remained at the club despite the advances of St Johnstone.

• Thelin - who has won all 12 matches in charge so far - says Hearts have done well in their last two games, are a "good team" and he is expecting "a tough, tight game".

• Hearts’ European win over Dinamo Minsk "does not change our preparation and how we think about the game".

• Gueye and Dante Polvara are out - everybody else is "healthy and ready".

Former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan says non-Old Firm fans will have enjoyed Celtic and Rangers being given a "taste of their own medicine" by "taking a pasting" in Europe against teams with a bigger budget.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds

On Monday, the prospect of travelling to in-form Aberdeen would have been much more daunting for Hearts.

Without a win all season, the Tynecastle side had an awkward midweek Conference League fixture to negotiate first.

But negotiate it they did. Yan Dhanda's added-time goal against Dinamo Minsk in a closed-doors neutral venue in Azerbaijan secured a first win since May and interim boss Liam Fox takes his once again buoyant squad to Pittodrie on Sunday.

Will Hearts be the team to end Aberdeen's 100% start to the season? They will have their work cut out if so.

Dundee gave Jimmy Thelin's side a stern examination at Dens Park last weekend but the Dons came away with a 2-1 win and start this weekend still five points in front of Rangers and only below Celtic on goal difference.

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

Aberdeen winning the Premiership would be good for Scottish football, says former England captain Alan Shearer. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Injured Aberdeen midfielder Dante Polvara, 24, should return after November's international break. (Record), external

Aberdeen great Jim Leighton is urging men to get checked as he seeks to raise awareness of prostate cancer. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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The idea that Aberdeen striker Pape Habib Gueye would be such a significant figure in Jimmy Thelin's impeccable start as manager seemed fanciful.

Yet, when the club confirmed the striker requires surgery and is out until January, it felt a really significant blow.

It's a startling turnaround. From forgotten fringe man to go-to forward. The man who has somehow seemingly taken on fan-favourite Bojan Miovski's mantle.

The Senegalese striker has, literally, come in from the cold and made an early-season impact that's helped fuel Aberdeen's astonishing revival.

So where exactly has this come from and how badly may he be missed?

Getting game-time helps Gueye bring goals

It was Neil Warnock (remember him?) who suggested Gueye should get out and play games, just not for Aberdeen. How he would have loved someone with Gueye's recent return during his ill-fated tenure.

In February, the striker duly went out on loan to Norway with Kristiansund in the Tippeligaen. That, most thought, signalled the beginning of the end of his short time in Scotland.

More so, as he quickly established himself in his new starting line-up, playing consistently right up to his mid-July return.

Not that his goal return - six in 18 games - was spectacular. A double in defeat against Bodo/Glimt perhaps a personal highlight.

Nothing that suggested a prolific return to Aberdeen and certainly not the man to replace Miovski after his big-money move to Girona. Yet playing consistently seems key to this unlikeliest of revivals.

Norway's season plays out over the summer. Match-fit, Gueye returned and seized his opportunity. He absolutely hit the ground running.

His five Premiership goals in five outings has played a crucial part in Aberdeen's six-game winning streak.

Gueye started the second league game and scored in a 3-1 win over St Mirren. His double at home to Kilmarnock earned a 2-0 victory and another three points. Another double against Motherwell resulted in a 2-1 win over Motherwell.

His goals have, crucially, really counted and earned points.

He is top scorer in the Premiership, two clear of Kyogo Furuhashi and Cyriel Dessers.

He boasts a shot conversion rate of 55% that is second only to Celtic's Callum McGregor. A real threat in the air with four of his five strikes being headers.

Not bad reading at all. So what next up top for Aberdeen?

"We trust the squad and we will work to find solutions to ensure we remain effective in that area of the pitch," Thelin said when Gueye's injury update was revealed.

That'll be hard. Kevin Nisbet appears to be finding some form that'll help ease Gueye's absence.

Redemption for Duk would be one option too but he surely has a long way to go to for a full Dons redemption after a self-imposed period out in the cold.

From nowhere, Gueye's absence offers a conundrum that was unimaginable at the start of the season. If Aberdeen's glorious start is to continue, a solution will have to be found.

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• The last nine league meetings between Aberdeen and Hearts have all been won by the side playing on home soil. Indeed, none of the last 20 league meetings between the two sides have seen an away win (16 home wins, 4 draws) since a 2-1 Aberdeen victory at Tynecastle in May 2017.

• Hearts have lost each of their last eight league visits to Aberdeen, conceding 2+ goals each time, since a goalless draw in December 2017. Their last such win came in May 2016 (1-0) thanks to Abiola Dauda's goal.

• Aberdeen, along with Celtic, are one of two sides with a 100% win rate in this season's Scottish Premiership (6/6). The last side to win each of their opening seven games of a campaign in the competition were Aberdeen in 2015-16 (first 8).

• Hearts are bottom of the Scottish Premiership table with two points in seven games (D2 L5). Should they lose this match, they will be only the second side in the last 19 seasons (2006-07 to 2024-25) to have two or fewer points in their opening eight matches of a top-flight campaign, after Dundee United in 2022-23 (2).

• Hearts have scored four goals from 7.2 expected goals (xG) in the Scottish Premiership this season, the biggest underperformance of any side (-3.2), while their shot conversion rate of 4.3% is also a league low.