Aberdeen

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Amid a perfect winning start, singling out any of Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen players feels somewhat unfair.

There have been epic contributions all over the pitch so far, from Dimitar Mitov in goal all the way up to Pape Habib Gueye in attack.

But the efforts of Jamie McGrath, deployed in a left midfield role this term, simply cannot go unnoticed.

With four Premiership assists to his name already this season, no other player has managed more.

Factor in the two goals he has also scored in the league, his goal and assist contribution of six is only bettered by Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn (seven).

The 28-year-old Irishman is also dominating the charts for chance creation - nobody has provided more chances (20) or big chances (four).

And the former St Mirren and Dundee United man's contribution isn't just about his attacking output.

Off the ball, McGrath has made 14 tackles, five interceptions and won possession on 32 occasions in what has been a stellar start to the campaign.

Aberdeen's toughest test of the season is on the horizon this Saturday with a trip to Celtic, who must make sure they nullify the Dons midfielder's threat in a top-of-the-table showdown in Glasgow.

Ex-Aberdeen striker Duncan Shearer would be tempted to play unpredictable striker Duk at Celtic this weekend. (Press & Journal)

Former defender Andy Considine is enjoying life as Aberdeen Under-16s as he builds towards his goal of becoming a manager. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

Dundee midfielder Sammy Braybrooke, 20, hopes to emulate England international James Maddison, who once worked with Dens Park boss Tony Docherty at Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Willie Miller has hailed the simplicity of the football being played by Aberdeen under manager Jimmy Thelin, and believes there is still more to come from the high-flying Dons.

Aberdeen have won all 13 of their games this season under the Swedish manager, despite the summer departure of talisman Bojan Miovski, and sit second in the Scottish Premiership, behind Celtic on goal difference.

Thelin's side go to Celtic Park after the international break, and Miller says "everything is rosy" before that top-of-the-table clash.

"I think there's still a lot of improvement to be made, but it's simple football," Miller told Sportsound. "Thelin has a really good shape, it's forward-thinking football.

"If you're sitting in the stands, you want to see attractive football, you want to see your team putting the opposition under pressure and Thelin has got all that.

"You're looking at Miovski leaving, and you're thinking 'what's going to happen?' - that's their talisman. They haven't missed him at all, they've found goals all over the pitch.

"Everything is rosy in the north east, and I haven't been able to say that for a long time. It will be a real test next week, I'm looking forward to how Aberdeen stand up to it."

Miller also highlighted the roles of several high-performing defenders in Aberdeen's winning run.

"The two full-backs - Nicky Devlin and Jack MacKenzie - who have been drafted into the Scotland squad, they deserve it," Miller said. "They have both been playing at a very high level.

"Out of possession, they aren't giving away many goals. Gavin Molloy has been really impressive, very thoughtful. He was bought as a project, they weren't expecting him to be in the starting XI, so that's a real bonus."

Preston North End, Sheffield United and Stoke City are tracking Aberdeen left-back Jack MacKenzie, 24. (Sun), external

Ex-Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has urged Dons fans to dream big after they won their opening 13 games this season. (Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Nicky Devlin is "absolutely delighted" to sign a new contract with Aberdeen until 2027.

The right-back, who is currently in Croatia with the Scotland national team for the first time, has become a key player for the Dons, particularly this season under new manager Jimmy Thelin.

"I've loved my time at Aberdeen and I am absolutely delighted to be extending my time here," the 30-year-old told Aberdeen's website.

"We are really starting to build something positive at the club and I’m looking forward to being part of that."

Devlin joined from Livingston at the beginning of last season and signed a two-year deal then, but manager Thelin was determined to ensure the services of the "dependable" full-back for longer.

"Nicky is a dependable member of the squad, always the professional, and a leader in the dressing room," the Swede said.

"He is the type of player we want here and we're delighted he will remain with us at Pittodrie for the next few years.

"His performances this season have quite righty earned him a call-up to the national squad and we are all so pleased to see him recognised at this level.

"Senior players such as Nicky are so important to helping establish the correct environment at a club, his appetite and desire to success are clear to see and he will remain an integral part of what are building here."

BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Alan asked: Tom, the gap between the financial power of the Old Firm and the rest of Scottish football is huge and getting wider. Can you suggest one pragmatic change that would make for a more level playing field and allow a more even competition?

Tom answered: Hi Alan. To be honest with you, I can't. And I've tried. Aberdeen's turnover is about £16m, Rangers is around £84m and Celtic have a turnover of circa £125m. I can’t think of a measure that would be fair to all clubs while making a significant difference on the financial side.

If you redistributed the TV and prize money around the other 10 clubs, instead of all 12, then it still wouldn't scratch the surface. Not that that redistribution would ever happen. The gulf is just impossibly wide.

Champions League riches and a thriving player trading model are the twin earners that have taken Celtic out of sight of everybody else. The sale of Matt O'Riley brought in more cash to Celtic than Aberdeen's turnover for an entire season. That's the savage reality.

Aberdeen need group-stage European football season after season after season. Use that money wisely to buy imaginatively and sell on players for big money, as the club has already done very effectively on a number of occasions.

That's all you can do. A huge task in itself, of course, but Jimmy Thelin is a seriously impressive character. The Aberdeen story fascinates me.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are tracking new Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin, while former West Ham United boss David Moyes is also a potential replacement, should Gary O'Neil fail to secure better results during the forthcoming more favourable run of fixtures for the Premier League club. (The Sun), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Ross asked: How would you compare Aberdeen's squad depth to the rest of the league, including the Old Firm? As a fan, I cannot remember a stronger squad where substitutions are of such high quality and in form.

Tom answered: The squad is the best outside of the Old Firm, I think. Hearts have a good squad that will rouse itself sooner or later, but when you look closely at what Aberdeen have, they've got a lot of guys you can hang your hat on.

Sunday was the perfect example. They needed something off the bench and they got it in those pivotal seconds with Duk and Ante Palaversa. Kevin Nisbet scored a winner when coming on in previous weeks. Vicente Besuijen scored when coming on as well.

This is just the league I'm talking about. They're getting a really good return from their bench, which is utterly crucial. Obviously, that signals good depth.

Also, what I like is that they lost their main goalscorer in Bojan Miovski, then they lost Pape Gueye, who was flying. Two goalscorers down would destroy a lot of clubs, but they had Nisbet, who's really good and will only get better at Aberdeen.

Duk coming back is potentially significant. He offers something completely different if his head stays screwed on. They have a very, very settled team and squad. Avoid injuries to the defence and they're a banker bet for third at the end of the season.

I don't think the squad is deep enough as it is to challenge for second, but you never know, January might change that.

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Jimmy Thelin can lead his team to Celtic with "fantastic confidence" after making a "remarkable" start to his Aberdeen tenure, says Dons legend Alex McLeish.

Following the international break, Swede Thelin will take his side to Glasgow for a top-of-the-table showdown with the reigning Premiership champions.

Both clubs have won each of their seven league games this term, with Thelin on a 13-game winning run overall since his appointment.

But McLeish, who was an integral part of the last Dons side to win the title under Alex Ferguson in 1985, says his former team will face "the acid test" at Parkhead.

"Celtic are formidable in the Scottish league," the former defender told BBC Scotland. "But Aberdeen must be going there with fantastic confidence.

"The way they're playing, the way Jimmy has set them up, you know they're playing with great verve and swagger. Can they take that to the Old Firm? That's the question.

"Way back in the day, I always remember Sir Alex when we went to Glasgow, he wanted to quicken things up a bit, tempo, tempo, tempo, because they expect teams to come and waste time down there.

"Hopefully Aberdeen are well organised, they've got to make themselves hard to beat in these games but also look like a goal threat as well."

On the job Thelin has done so far as Aberdeen boss, McLeish added: "It's remarkable, fantastic. You have to hand it to him, nobody knew Jimmy.

"The Aberdeen directors, the chairman, they look as if they've done their homework extremely well and right now everything is inspirational and fantastic."

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.

Who has been the top performer so far? Is the manager exceeding expectations?

Put your questions to Tom here, external.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen's extraordinary start to the season continued after a thrilling battle with Hearts at Pittodrie on Sunday as they racked up win number 13 in succession.

The early success that Jimmy Thelin has enjoyed has surprised even the man himself as they came through another test of their credentials against a rejuvenated-looking Edinburgh side who produced their best performance of the season in the Granite City.

The Swede has already surpassed the win totals of predecessors Stephen Glass (nine), Alex Miller (10), Jim Goodwin (11) and matched Mark McGhee.

It's true the Dons lived a charmed life at times, with Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas guilty of passing up gilt-edged opportunities before Jorge Grant's sending off, but Aberdeen found a way to win. Just as they did in Dundee and Dingwall.

On 14 March, then interim manager Peter Leven admitted the team was "in trouble" in the wake of a defeat at Dens Park that left Aberdeen without a league win in 11 outings.

They sat perilously close to the relegation play-off position and not one Dons fan who witnessed that performance would have taken you seriously if you'd told them they wouldn't lose a Premiership game for the next seven months.

The return of Duk appears to be a timely one as well. He thanked the packed home sections for a warm welcome back into the fold by setting up Ante Palaversa's late winner and his presence is a nice surprise for Thelin.

Talking of Palaversa, what a signing he could prove to be and it would be no surprise to see him start games regularly after his dramatic cameo against Hearts.

Manchester City signed him for 7m euros in 2019 and he looks a class act. Thelin will surely be looking at starting him in their next match, that being a top-of-the-table clash at Celtic Park.

What a prospect that match is and what a time it would be for Aberdeen to address a woeful current record against the champions.

With the international break upon us, that match is on the back-burner for now and we will reconvene next time to put that fixture under the microscope as the Dons look to make everyone stand up and take notice of the Thelin revolution.

Both Celtic and Aberdeen have a 100% Premiership start. And both scored 88th-minute winners at the weekend to preserve that perfect record with comeback wins.

The Dons edged out Hearts in a five-goal stormer at Pittodrie, while Celtic avoided a European hangover by taking full points in Dingwall.

It sets things up nicely for the mouthwatering top-of-the-table showdown when the leading pair meet at Celtic Park a weekend on Saturday.

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Jack MacKenzie admits his first Scotland call-up came as a surprise because he had "no idea" he was in Steve Clarke's thoughts.

The 24-year-old Aberdeen left-back has been drafted in for the Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal after Celtic's Greg Taylor withdrew injured.

MacKenzie will have two familiar faces for company, with Dons right-back Nicky Devlin already in the squad and striker Kevin Nisbet subsequently added.

"When I got the news, I phoned my dad first," MacKenzie said.

"He has been big inspiration for my football. He has always been there, so it was really nice to share the moment with him and speak to him about it. I also spoke to my mum. It's a great moment for all the family.

"It is an incredible feeling. It is something you dream of as a kid. I'm just absolutely buzzing.

"The only downside is I was looking forward to having two weeks away from Nicky Devlin, but that is obviously not going to be the case any more!

"I had no idea that I was even being considered for a call-up.

"I am full of confidence at the moment and looking forward to the opportunity. Staying fit has also been a big plus for me over the last year or so, and that has meant me getting a nice run of games."

Kevin Nisbet is expected to join Aberdeen teammates Nicky Devlin and Jack MacKenzie in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad to face Croatia and Portugal. (Daily Record, external)

Scott Brown says he probably should have retired as a player after leaving Celtic and focused on coaching, instead of joining Aberdeen. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan insists Aberdeen cannot be considered title contenders yet, despite the Dons' perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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It's been four decades since Aberdeen last lifted the Scottish title. After a cracking start this season to life under Jimmy Thelin, can they finally do it again?

The Dons are joint top of the league having won all seven of their Premiership matches so far and Celtic's superior goal difference is the only thing keeping Thelin's side from the summit.

Aberdeen have played 13 games across all competitions (six in the League Cup) and have won them all - giving Thelin the record for greatest start in Scottish football.

With their victory over Hearts on Sunday, the Dons boss overtook Martin O'Neill's previous mark of 12 games set back in 2000.

So, are Thelin's side really title material? Former Dons David Robertson and Theo ten Caat have been giving their verdict on a special Aberdeen episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Robertson, referencing Leicester City's fairytale English title win of 2016, said: "Aberdeen's next two or three games [against Celtic, Dundee United and Rangers] will dictate a lot. But anything can happen.

"Look at Leicester. I listened to a podcast with Marc Albrighton, and he said they negotiated their bonuses with the chairman for eighth place - they didn't have a bonus for winning it. That's how much they didn't even expect to finish in the top eight.

"So I think Aberdeen will just quietly go about their business. For Aberdeen, second and third is certainly achievable, and you never know, you might get the real unexpected one and win the whole thing.

"I think the difference this year is they've actually beaten teams without playing particularly well.

"And they're beating teams that they couldn't beat last year or the year before. That's always the most important thing to win the league."

Ten Caat has stressed the importance of having squad depth, given the potential for suspension and injuries throughout the season.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Aberdeen win against Celtic and Rangers," the Dutch former striker said.

"I hope Aberdeen have more than 11 good players. There has to be at least 14 or 15.

"We won in 1991 against Rangers to the surprise of everyone. We had a good spell at that time as well because Alex McLeish was fit.

"When McLeish got injured, we were top of the league, we had a problem, our best player was out for half a year and it all went downhill. So hopefully it won't happen this year with Aberdeen."

Jack Mackenzie's first Scotland call-up is a "great opportunity" for the Aberdeen left-back, says assistant John Carver.

MacKenzie, 24, has replaced Celtic's Greg Taylor for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.

"It's interesting because obviously we had the issue of Greg [Taylor] pulling out and I was going up to Aberdeen anyway and we have had a lot of good reports about him," Carver said.

"He has obviously had a great start, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start and they are playing with confidence.

"I just like the way he plays. He plays with confidence. He is a front-foot player who plays high and likes to get forward.

"It's a great opportunity for him. He came in this morning and is not overawed by the players.

"He trained great this morning so I am looking forward to seeing how he will develop."

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Aberdeen left-back Jack MacKenzie has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.

The 24-year-old replaces injured Celtic defender Greg Taylor in Steve Clarke's set-up for the Nations League games away to Croatia on Saturday and at home to Portugal next Tuesday.

MacKenzie's Pittodrie team-mate Nicky Devlin had already received a first call-up.

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Nicky Devlin has backed "brilliant" Duk to have a major impact on Aberdeen's season after the forward's comeback helped maintain the Dons' stunning start.

Having been given a rapturous welcome from fans when he came off the bench against Hearts on Sunday, Duk was heavily involved in turning the game in the Reds' favour.

He drew the foul from which Harts midfielder Jorge Grant was sent off and then set up Ante Palaversa's 88th-minute winner with a superb piece of play on the left.

It marked an impressive first appearance of the season for the 24-year-old, who was suspended by the club in the summer after going AWOL as he tried to force a move away from Aberdeen.

"Duk was brilliant," said defender Devlin. "I am delighted for him because he has had to work hard.

"The impact he had on the game was massive. He was the reason the boy got sent off. The other full-back that came on [Adam Forrester] also got booked against him and he also set up the winning goal.

"If we can get that Duk between now and the end of the season, then we will have an unbelievable player on our hands."

The victory made it 13 in a row for Aberdeen under Jimmy Thelin this term, with Celtic - the only other side with a flawless domestic start - up next after the international break.

"I have never won this many games in my career before," said defender Devlin. "The amount of wins we have had has been phenomenal.

"We take confidence from the way we started the season and the way we ended the last one. We are in good form and there is a lot of confidence throughout the side, but we know we can be better.

"I don't think we were great against Hearts. But we have done that a couple of times this season, where we haven't been great but the resolve and attitude of the players have managed to find a way.

"Listen, we can be rubbish at Celtic Park but if we can find a way, then I would take that."

A contract extension for in-form Aberdeen full-back Nicky Devlin is a no-brainer, says former Pittodrie favourite Duncan Shearer. (Press & Journal - subscription), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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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!