Aberdeen

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Three of Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will join Celtic and Rangers in Europe next season after Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing side reached the Scottish Cup final.

Had bottom-six sides St Johnstone or Hearts progressed through the last-four stage, they could still have claimed the European place awarded to the cup winners.

But that is no longer a possibility, which adds another layer of intrigue to the post-split fixtures in the top half of the division.

So what do we know?

Well, Celtic have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers and will enter at the play-off round assuming they clinch the title.

Rangers will almost certainly be in that competition, too, but at the second qualifying round stage.

After that, there remains a wee bit of uncertainty.

The Scottish Cup winners earn a spot in the Europa League play-off round, so if Aberdeen upset Celtic at Hampden on 24 May, that's straightforward.

However, should the holders retain the trophy, the place would go to whoever finishes third in the league.

Currently, that's Hibs. But United and Aberdeen and St Mirren - albeit the arithmetic is hugely against them - are still in the mix.

Given whoever it is would be guaranteed - at worst - a six-game Conference League campaign, it's a lucrative prize for their season's work.

But two of the clubs who miss out on third would still be rewarded.

Fourth place would be upgraded from Conference League second qualifying round to the Europa League equivalent, with the Conference spot going to fifth place.

Read more: Premiership quartet fight for three European spots

Oday Dabbagh, who scored the winning goal in Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Heart of Midlothian, has admitted there is a chance the final will be his last game as an Aberdeen player, with the on-loan 26-year-old forward from Charleroi leaving his future to his agent. (Daily Record), external

Oday Dabbagh says he has yet to consider the possibility of a long-term stay with Aberdeen, who hold the option to sign him permanent this summer from Charleroi, for whom the Palestinian forward has signed a new contract until 2026. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Forward Oday Dabbagh says his Scottish Cup semi-final winning goal for Aberdeen was the "best moment of his career".

The striker's extra-time goal gave the Dons a 2-1 victory over nine-man Hearts at Hampden on Saturday and sends them into next month's Scottish Cup final.

Jimmy Thelin's side are fifth in the Premiership table with five games to go, are still in contention to finish third, with a cup final to look forward to and Dabbagh is delighted to give the fans something to get excited about.

"To be honest, I cannot explain my emotions," Dabbagh said.

"My feeling was a very, very good feeling. Especially when I saw the ball inside the net, I ran to the supporters. It was a very, very good feeling.

"I'm so happy, it was one of the best moments [of his career].

"The fans deserve this win, they deserve to be at the final because they are really, really a crazy support.

"I'm so happy to make them happy. We always speak in the dressing room, just, let's fight.

"We look game by game, and we are in the final, now we focus on the Hibs game. We just look forward game by game.

"There's still five weeks, we have a very important game next week. We just focus on the next game and we'll see.

"The most important thing is just to keep going, and that's what happened, that's why I scored."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov says his side "can't be too happy" with their Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hearts and must be fully focused on their remaining league games.

Dons substitute Oday Dabbagh notched the winner with just two minutes left of extra-time as Hearts had to see out the match with just nine men on the pitch.

"It was hectic, but overall I'm really happy we were able to reach the final," Mitov said.

"I knew with the quality on the pitch and with Hearts tiring that bit as well we had the quality and would get one opportunity.

"We had the trust in our strikers to put the ball away.

"I did say to Craig Gordon after the game, he managed to pull off one incredible save in the first half [of extra-time] and he was very unlucky with the second one, but overall I am really happy with the win.

"I have just said to the boys inside we can't be too happy about it. There is still one game to go and the job is not finished. So we need to now fully focus on the league, have a day off tomorrow, prepare for Saturday and we need to put in a performance there as well."

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 2-1 win against Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Here's what some of you said:

Les: Pretty awful game and not a great performance against 10 men. Lacking in pace and imagination. Still, we got to the final and hopefully we can avoid a Hampden defeat.

Karl: A real tough watch at times but let's not forget Hearts came to spoil the game and succeeded. The red card made them very compact and hard to break down, I thought once extra time kicked in the extra man really showed. Oday Dabbagh and especially Dante Polvara were brilliant when they came on. Polvara needs to start the next game in my opinion. On to the final and that's all that matters. This could still be a very successful season if we win a few more games.

Justin: Couldn't be happier with getting to a final but a cup final appearance is going to be another level of nerves and that's what I think led to such a below par showing. Fantastic to be through and you never know, it's a funny old game.

Eric: This was a hard watch, painful at times, but it's the result that matters. The Hampden pitch always plays it's part in these matches and it proved it once again. Time now to use some of the fringe players with five very hard league games ahead, as some of the main team were posted missing in this match and there will be some very tired legs.

Niall: It was a tough, frustrating watch for 117 minutes. The real lack of Dons urgency, cutting edge, and thrust in the final third against 10 men for the second half was disappointing. However, eventually, one quality cross, a good attempt, which made Craig Gordon have to work, finally led to an instinctive reaction from Dabbagh to settle this drab affair. The way this match had gone I really had no confidence in Dons success. Let's take this result and turn this season into something special for Jimmy Thelin and the whole club.

Bob: Not a great performance but semi-finals are seldom pretty. We would have been happy with our place in all competitions at the start of the season and we're making progress.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen had the bigger share of possession with 61 percent, compared to Hearts' 39 percent.

• The Dons had 18 shots, with four on target, while the Jambos attempted seven shots, and only had one on target.

• Goalkeeper Craig Gordon made three saves, compared to Dimitar Mitov, who didn't have to do much in the Aberdeen net.

• Seven cards were given in this match, with three yellows to Aberdeen, and two yellow cards and two red cards to Hearts.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says the club are spending "quite a few million" on extending training ground facilities, which will include an indoor pitch. (The Herald - subscription), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Oday Dabbagh's late extra-time strike has taken Aberdeen through to the Scottish Cup semi-final against either St Johnstone or holders Celtic.

Were you at Hampden or watch the game on BBC One Scotland? Give us your thoughts.

Have your say.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was delighted there was no repeat of last week - when they conceded of a two-goal lead against 10-man Rangers - as his side scored deep into extra time to beat Hearts and reach the Scottish Cup final.

"I think Hearts started the game really, really well and we were under pressure," he told BBC Scotland.

"Obviously the red card helped us win the game, but we knew from last week we had to be careful. We had some patience and finally we scored a goal.

"Hearts gave everything they had to defend the goal, they had some set plays and transition, so we had to be really calm and try not to make too many mistakes. I think the team did that really well.

"We have now six games left, five in the league and the final. We have to enjoy today, but we know we have so many difficult games left."

On Oday Dabbagh's winning goal, Thelin added: "What can I say, you have to be there.

"It was a good cross also. I asked one of the referees if it was fine so I could celebrate."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen headed to Hampden to face Hearts looking to repair the hurt of two semi-final defeats by Celtic - on penalties a year ago in the same competition and a 6-0 thrashing in this season's League Cup.

Last weekend's surrending of a two-goal lead to 10-man Rangers in the Premiership at Pittodrie seemed to be weighing just as heavily as they toiled even before Hearts lost their Austrian centre-half, Michael Steinwender, to a straight red card.

At full strength, it was Hearts creating the better chances and only the speed of Shayden Morris and Keskinen on the wings sporadically threatened.

Down to 10 men and now with five at the back, Hearts snubbed out that threat and Aberdeen again lacked the guile to penetrate a packed defence.

However, Cammy Devlin's dismissal two minutes before the end of extra time proved crucial and subsititute Oday Dabbagh's fourth goal of the season sent Aberdeen into their 17th Scottish Cup final and the chance to lift the trophy for an eighth time and their first in 35 years.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen defender Mats Knoester is ready to embrace the "chaos" at Hampden on Saturday as he bids to avoid more cup heartache.

The Dutchman makes his first trip to the national stadium for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts - live on BBC One Scotland - following his January arrival from Ferencvaros.

Knoester was a runner-up last season while on loan at AGF, who lost 1-0 to Silkeborg in the Danish showpiece.

"Unfortunately we lost that one so last season I experienced it one time, a final, but I haven't won it yet so I think it is time to win it now," the 26-year-old said.

"I expect some chaos [at Hampden] and some exciting people for the game so it is going to be good.

"If we are good we can definitely beat Hearts. It is a competitive team, I haven't played them yet but I have heard the games were close.

"They are a good team as well but if we are at the top of our game we should definitely win.

"Mentality is very important, especially in the cup because it has to come together in one game. We can't catch up later in the season, it is tomorrow or it is over."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has no doubts over Hibs-bound Jamie McGrath's focus as he welcomes back the Irishman and two other key players for the Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts.

Having been out injured since January, midfielder McGrath - who will move to Easter Road this summer - and compatriot Gavin Molloy were expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

But both have returned sooner than expected and are joined by goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov in being declared fit for Hampden on Saturday - live on BBC One Scotland.

"They have done really well," Thelin said of McGrath and defender Molloy's return.

"Sometimes it can go quicker than we thought and this time they are actually available now for the last games of the season. That is good as before it was more or less their last game.

"Jamie is a really good character and he is fully here with his mind and heart. His contract is with Aberdeen, he is still an Aberdeen player and really focused."

Goalkeeper Mitov has missed the past three games with a shoulder injury sustained on international duty with Bulgaria.

Thelin added: "We have good options to find the right balance to the squad for the game tomorrow."

Aberdeen are fifth in the Premiership and taking decent form into the semi-final, having lost one of their past 10 games, while Hearts are winless in three and smarting from failing to secure a top-six place.

"They are a good team, they have a clear idea, the games before have been really tight against them and now it is a semi-final, everybody wants to go to the final," said Thelin.

"My expectation is it is going to be a really tight game. The best way to learn and to manage these kind of games is to live them and to be there."

As the sides prepare to meet in the semis at Hampden this weekend, relive the 1986 Scottish Cup final as Aberdeen beat Hearts 3-0 to lift the trophy for the fourth time in fifth years.

(Available to UK users only)

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Hearts in Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

Here are the main points:

• After lengthy spells out injured Gavin Molloy and Jamie McGrath are both available for the game, as is goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

• Even though McGrath will join Hibs in the summer, Thelin insists the midfielder is focused on his remaining time at Pittdorie - "he is fully here with his mind and heart".

• Thelin says the Dons are not distracted by Hearts' poor form and stresses Neil Critchley's men "are a good team, they have good players, they have a clear idea" but his team are "ready" to reach the final.

• On trying to end Aberdeen's 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory, the manager says everyone knows how difficult it is to win silverware but "you have to believe".

• Thelin knows Aberdeen have to take "learning points" from the heavy defeat by Celtic in the League Cup semi-final earlier in the season and games like last weekend's 2-2 draw with Rangers.

• In other team news, this weekend's game comes too early for Kristers Tobers, while Sivert Heltne Nilsen remains out with an eye injury.

Fourth round: Elgin City 0-3 Aberdeen (18 Jan)

The Dons began their Scottish Cup campaign with a much-needed win as they ended a 12-game run without victory.

After a shaky start against the fourth-tier hosts, Shayden Morris settled Jimmy Thelin's side with a 20th-minute opener.

Duk's second-half double made sure of their progress.

Fifth round: Aberdeen 3-0 Dunfermline (9 Feb)

Fit-again striker Pape Gueye scored his first goal since September as Aberdeen made light work of Championship side Dunfermline at Pittodrie.

The Senegalese forward headed the opener from Ante Palaversa's free-kick seconds before half-time.

Alexander Jensen slotted the second after the interval and Kevin Nisbet's late third wrapped up the Dons' second win in 16 outings.

Quarter-finals: Aberdeen 4-1 Queen's Park (8 March)

The second-tier Spiders had famously stunned Rangers in the previous round, but Aberdeen comfortably avoided a similar shock.

Two goals in two first-half minutes from Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh put the hosts firmly in control.

Shinnie made it three just before half-time and Dabbagh completed his double before Zak Rudden's consolation strike as Aberdeen swept through to a sixth semi-final in nine seasons.

Belgian club Sporting Charleroi have taken up the option to extend the contract of Oday Dabbagh, with the Palestine striker currently on loan at Aberdeen. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.