Aberdeen

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New Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin was delighted to see strikers Ester Sokler and Peter Ambrose score in the 6-0 rout of Dumbarton as Aberdeen progressed in the League Cup.

Sokler grabbed a double while Ambrose scored late on, with last year's top scorer Bojan Miovski left on the bench amid speculation about his future.

"The work Ester does on the training pitch is the important thing," Thelin told club media.

"Every day he’s trying to improve himself and how he plays with his team-mates. Of course, it’s important for his position to score. But also how he defends, how he sacrifices himself for the team.

"It’s always good for the strikers to score, but I don’t want to put pressure on him. It’s most important how he develops and grows as a player."

“Two great finishes, how he arrived in the box and how he kept the calmness in the situation is nice to see. It’s a really good quality he has there.

“You just need to give him good passes inside the box and he has to be there. So good work from him."

Slovenian Sokler has already matched his tally of goals last season with four strikes in the League Cup group stage, while Ambrose's strike against Dumbarton was his first for his new club.

“It was good for Peter to score too," Thelin added. "Like I said, I don’t want to say you have to score, but they have to show up and be there. But if you are a striker and you score, it’s always a good feeling, especially at a new club."

Bojan Miovski was again left on the bench by Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin for the game against Dumbarton, with Spanish club Espanyol joining Italian Serie A sides Genoa and Bologna in having an interest in the forward. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Sunday's gossip.

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin sees his spell at the Pittodrie club as a three-year project. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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“The sun is shining and a game tomorrow, it couldn’t be any better.”

Jimmy Thelin has taken quite well to life as Aberdeen manager.

Following his first game at Pittodrie in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Airdrieonians, the Swede is urging the home crowd to "bring the positive vibes and energy" again on Saturday - and always - as he committed to his long-term plan with the Dons.

“I liked the energy, it’s good that people have trust in us and want to progress with us, it’s a thing we have to do together – it’s not a one-man show, or the players or the coaches, it’s the whole city," he said ahead of Saturday's final Premier Sports game against Dumbarton.

"I tried to say from day one that I came here, this is a long term project," he added.

"The supporters have to bring this energy, step by step, to be a consistent team at the top. We have to start from somewhere, then try and build from there and that’s why we need everybody behind us.

“I liked the positive vibes and the energy that was there, because we’re going to need it. It’s not going to be an easy journey but we’re going to take this progress, we believe in it but it’s not a quick fix.

“With training, hard work and a strong support from everyone, we’re going to try and build something we can believe in for the future, otherwise it isn’t possible. We need everyone behind us to try and create small momentums."

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Jimmy Thelin addressed the media ahead of Aberdeen's final Premier Sports Cup game against Dumbarton on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the manager:

• Thelin confirmed Bojan Miovksi is "fully focussed" on the weekend's game and said he was impressed seeing him in action against Airdrieonians.

• The Aberdeen manager said his side will not be playing just for a point, they are going for the win.

• He stressed the importance of remembering it's "a long-term project" at Aberdeen.

• Thelin enjoyed the Pittodrie atmosphere on Tuesday and reminded supporters they "have to bring this energy, step-by-step".

• He confirmed Angus MacDonald had a small operation but should be available in 10 days time.

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It's pretty straightforward... avoid defeat.

Aberdeen just need a point at home to Dumbarton to secure top spot in Group above Airdrieonians and Queen of the South, who meet in Lanarkshire with the chance to move on to nine points.

The Diamonds currently have the best goal difference of the second-placed teams with a +8 total, and victory would put them in a strong position to qualify.

Espanyol have expressed an interest in Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who is also a prime target for Bologna, and have made the 25-year-old North Macedonia international one of their main targets this summer. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is confident the club have a contingency plan in place for the possible transfer exit of striker Bojan Miovski. (Press & Journal), external

Aberdeen are plotting a move for 19-year-old Ghana centre-half Nurudeen Abdulai, who helped Medeama win his national Premier League this season. (Football Insider), external

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, the 33-year-old former Aberdeen and Livingston striker, is interesting Scottish Championship clubs after joining Greenock Morton on trial. (Transfers Scotland), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Jimmy Thelin has hailed Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski after his first appearance of the season for the club amid continuing speculation about the striker's future.

The North Macedonian international was a half-time substitute as the Dons came back from goal down to Airdrie to win 2-1.

Miovski missed the first two group games of the League Cup, as transfer talk continues to surround him, but Thelin was quick to praise his striker for his showing against the Championship side.

“We take it day by day," the Dons boss said. "He was ready to play and he showed on the pitch that he was giving everything for Aberdeen, the club and the fans.

“He’s an amazing player. He is clever in the pressing and connects with other players in our build-up. He’s a top player.”

The new head coach said he was pleased with his side's fightback after Airdrie's strong first-half performance.

“We were a little wrong in our positions and late in situations and they could switch us too much," he said.

“But the good thing is how we reacted at half-time, how we prepared ourselves and came out with a lot more energy and power in our press, more intensity in our transitions and how we attacked the goal.

“We did really, really well in the second half. It was a tough game but the team found a way to win.”

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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Gavin Molloy says his Shelbourne experience meant he was prepared for Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin's philosophy.

Defender Molloy, who has started in both the Dons' League Cup group wins this term, benefitted from Damien Duff's high-intensity system at his previous club in Ireland.

And the 22-year-old feels that has played a role in quickly integrating him into Thelin's side, who play at Pittodrie for the first time this season when they welcome Airdrieonians on Tuesday night.

"I've done the best I can and settled in with the lads," Molloy said.

"In Ireland we played this way with Shelbourne, we liked to play intense and aggressive. I'm fully used to it.

On experiencing an Aberdeen home support this week, he added: "I'm really excited to play in front of them. I can't wait to step out there and I expect it to be a really good atmosphere."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin can't wait for his first taste of the Pittodrie atmosphere when his side take on Airdrieonians in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Both sides have six points from their opening two games with Airdrieonians top of the group on goal difference, and Thelin hopes his side can go above their Championship opponents.

"It’s going to be really nice to play at home and get the feeling of that and meet the supporters there – everything surrounding playing at home for the first time at this club, I’m looking forward to it,” said Thelin. "I’m really excited. Hopefully it is going to be a good evening.

"When there are tough times on the pitch, the fans can be the big difference. The extra energy, extra support. That’s the energy you need sometimes when you are heavy in the legs."

Thelin also revealed striker Bojan Miovski is set to make his first appearance of the season, despite speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

"He will be in the squad," said Thelin. "So far everything is like it was last week and tomorrow he will be in the squad ready to play. In the beginning he was not 100 per cent, but now he is 100 per cent.

"We had a talk before the first cup game as there were a lot of things going around him, so we calmed down the situation a little bit and focused on the training. Now he is ready to play again and that is where we are right now."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been talking to the media before his side's League Cup group stage match against Airdrieonians on Tuesday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Thelin says his players are all working towards the same goal, but he says they still have a lot of room for growth.

• Star striker Bojan Miovski is "ready to play" after sitting out the Dons' previous cup games against Queen of the South and East Kilbride.

• The Swedish boss was reluctant to talk about potential transfer business, just saying "let’s see what happens by the last day of the window".

• Says Aberdeen will need to be "really sharp" to beat Airdrieonians, who he was full of praise for: "They play with overloads the areas around the box, a lot more crosses, a lot more switches".

• Before his first competitive game in charge at Pittodrie, Thelin says he expects the Aberdeen fans to make a big difference for his side this season. "When there are tough times on the pitch, the fans can be the big difference," he said. "The extra energy, extra support."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was full of praise for winger Vicente Besuijen after the winger made his first appearance for the club in 18 months.

Besuijen started as the Dons cruised to a 4-0 League Cup victory over East Kilbride on Saturday, having last featured in the dismal Scottish Cup to Darvel in January 2023.

Since then, the 23-year-old has played all of his football on loan at Dutch sides Excelsior and Emmen.

However, Thelin has offered Besuijen a fresh start at Pittodrie.

"I want to give the players opportunities to show themselves," Thelin said.

"Vinny has had some problems with the hamstring in the last weeks, but that was his first game, and while he was fresh, he did well.

"He can’t play 90 [minutes] yet because he hasn’t trained fully, but he did well. He protected the ball well, he found some combinations, and he worked hard."

Forward Pape Habib Gueye, 24, could be used as a winger after returning to Aberdeen from a loan spell at Kristiansund BK. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie says Saturday's League Cup trip to East Kilbride is "massive" as the Dons target another strong cup run.

They lost 1-0 to Rangers in last year's final, a game MacKenzie missed through suspension.

The Dons opened their Group A account this time around with a 3-0 win at League 1 Queen of the South, and MacKenzie is taking nothing for granted against lower-league opposition.

"We got to the final last year so we are looking to go one better this year," he said.

"Obviously not being in Europe means we have to play these group-stage games but if we don’t take them seriously and we don’t win these games then we wont have a chance of getting to Hampden come November, December.

"These games are massive and they are must-win games.

"We have got three points to gain to put ourselves at the top of the group so I think the motivation is there."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has praised the "positive energy" around the club, and insists no-one is focused "on the wrong priorities" amid an ongoing situation Duk.

Last week the club issued a statement saying they were taking disciplinary action against the Cape Verde forward after he "failed to report to training and is currently absent without permission".

Before Saturday's League Cup trip to East Kilbride, Thelin said he can't "make any further comment".

However, the Swedish manager insists he has no concerns about the matter casting a cloud over his squad.

"It is a positive energy here," he added. "Everybody is focused, everybody is enjoying training and the focus is on the right spot.

"[We are] trying to build something strong here for the league season but also take these cup games really respectfully. We try to improve things and try to find ways to win and develop from where we are right now.

"I haven’t felt that anybody’s focus is on the wrong priorities right now."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media ahead of Aberdeen's League Cup trip to East Kilbride this weekend.

Here are the key points he made:

• With regards to the ongoing situation with Duk, Thelin said he "can’t make any further comment on that right now, so it is the same situation as last week".

• When asked if the situation could cast a shadow over things until it is resolved, he said there is a "positive energy" around the club and that everyone is focused on the correct priorities.

• Thelin confirmed Bojan Miovski will be in the squad for tomorrow's game after leaving him out last weekend. He said, "he has behaved really well, he is pushing himself in training and so my feeling is he is good about that situation."

• On facing East Kilbride, the manager said, “everybody can beat everyone, but we have to be focussed on our things and always have respect".

• He added he believes the players have "answered really well" to what he and his staff are asking of them, while admitting, "in the beginning there can be some small setbacks, but so far, so good."

• The Aberdeen manager finally confirmed Dante Polvara has had surgery on his injured hamstring and is the only fitness issue ahead of the game.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin expressed his delight at midfielder David Babunski's Dundee United introduction after revealing a previous attempt to sign him for Aberdeen.

The former Barcelona youth graduate and North Macedonia international joined from Hungarian side Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet this week and made his first outing in United colours against Stenhousemuir on the same day.

It is a case of second time lucky for Goodwin, who tried to recruit the 30-year-old during his stint at Pittodrie.

"I have known David for about three years now," the United boss said. "I have built up a good network of contacts in eastern Europe.

"At [Aberdeen] we had done a good bit of business in that league with the likes of Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani. David was one we also tried to get, but unfortunately we couldn’t make a deal happen.

"I don’t want to put too much pressure on the lad, but he has had a great education in the game at arguably the best academy in world football.

"The lads have been asking him about the certain players he has trained with over the years. He has got a nice picture of himself with Lionel Messi.

"So he has done things in the game that some of us could only dream of and you can see his technical ability. You can see what he brings, he is a very calming influence and will demand the ball in tight areas."