Aberdeen

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jerome Prior - Livingston: A superb performance from the Livingston keeper, who pulled off a variety of fantastic stops to repel Rangers time and again. No shame in ultimately conceding two given the deluge he was under.

Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell: Has been a true, versatile hero at the back for the Steelmen this season. Looks like a player rejuvenated every weekend in this brilliant Motherwell side.

Brooklyn Kabongolo - Livingston: What. A. Strike! Finished like one of the world's best strikers to put Livingston ahead against Rangers. Also put in a big shift at the back.

Harry Milne - Hearts: Not one of the most celebrated at the time, but has to be one of the best recent signings Hearts have made. A model of consistency. The former Partick Thistle player put in another energised, dependable performance for his manager.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell: Thought he looked offside for his goal, but who am I to argue with the VAR lines. Has been an awesome presence down the left for the Steelmen all season.

Felix Passlack - Hibernian: The former Borussia Dortmund player arrived at Easter Road with a fine CV and underlined those credentials with a fine showing at Celtic Park. Took his opportunity superbly with an unstoppable header to fire Hibs in front.

Elijah Just - Motherwell: Every weekend Just underlines his credentials as a player of the year contender. Opened the scoring in the demolition of St Mirren with another brilliant goal.

Ethan Hamilton - Dundee: For his thunderbolt winner against Aberdeen. Great follow-up to his sublime strike against Celtic in the cup, but that was ultimately in vain while this strike at Pittodrie bagged what could turn out to be a vital three points. A statement season for the midfielder.

Callum Slattery - Motherwell: Difficult to look past the fact he went down far too easily as Richard King was sent off. However, the actual football performance from Slattery was excellent. Three assists for the midfielder as the Steelmen further underlined their title credentials by tearing St Mirren apart.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian: Hibs are simply a far better side with Nicky Cadden in it. His delivery from the left offers so much to Hibs in attack, as shown by the assist for Passlack's diving header against Celtic.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen: The light in the north for the slightly dismal Dons at the moment. His first was freakish - helped massively by Dundee keeper Jon McCracken - but his second was an absolute firecracker of a free kick. On another day might easily have had a hat-trick.

Watch the pick of a thrilling contest as Dundee beat 10-man Aberdeen 3-2 for a first win at Pittodrie in the Premiership for more than two decades. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after 10-man Aberdeen lost 3-2 at home to Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Excuses. Poor discipline. Non-progressive. Fearful. Tired. No confidence. Poor defensively. Lack of intensity. No backbone and grit. Aberdeen need to sit back and really evaluate the direction the club is going. Large financial commitments have been made with transfer fees and wage structure... and it is getting worse, not better.

Mike: Things usually get worse before they get better and this is what we are seeing. Not sure the club can wait until the summer though if results don't improve as all the uncertainty is having a psychological impact on everyone including the coaches. Any potential manager humming and hawing like Eirik Horneland should be deleted from the list and move on. Another example of poor leadership at the top.

Sandy: Dire, dismal, dreich. I am not talking about the weather. Forget about this so-called frontrunner for the manager's job. If he can't come now, get someone else in the door. Who is in charge, the club or this so called frontrunner?

Neil: This season has transpired as the worst in my 50-plus years supporting the club. There have been far too many mediocre players signed, too many in on loan and general apathy in footballers playing for the badge. Ultimately, the club owners need to come out and speak to the many fans who still attend matches to explain how they plan to turn this around.

Chris: Useless, clueless, heartless - any of these cover how the team perform week on week. Time for the fans to vote with their feet and stay away till change comes.

Mark: Garbage again and the same old excuses about defending and refereeing decisions. So poor from Aberdeen and time for a clearout from boardroom level to playing staff. Nothing positive can be taken from this season.

Ethan Hamilton's stunning late strike gave Dundee a first Scottish Premiership win at Pittodrie since 2004 after a thrilling and bizarre game against 10-man Aberdeen.

Have your say.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven: "Really frustrating. I thought we started really well, score a goal. Then score another goal [Nisbet's disallowed strike from Lyall Cameron's free kick].

"It looked like he [referee Steven McLean] put his whistle to his mouth, dropped it, watched the goal go in and then brought it back.

"Lyall says he didn't say wait for the whistle so we're confused on that one.

"We stopped playing football, they equalise and then there's the red card. We need to be better at dealing with a long ball. But he's cut across him, I'm not sure what he can do and I don't know why we're punished twice. But we've got to take it on the chin.

"I thought at times we were good in the second half. We get it back to 2-2 and it's got to be a point in that game. We turn the ball over too easy, we've got to go up the line and gain territory. But we gave it away and don't defend the shot.

"We've got to take out chances and go two or three-nil up. But we get a wee bit nervy and stop doing what we did early on. That's two red cards in two games - it's not good enough."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie will complete his suspension. Emmanuel Gyamfi is pushing for a recall, while Stuart Armstrong (calf), Mats Knoester (concussion), Kristers Tobers (knee) and Nick Suman (ankle) remain out.

Brad Halliday is expected to join a Dundee absentee list which includes Billy Koumetio (knee), Clark Robertson (thigh), Joe Westley (ankle) and Ashley Hay (broken toe).

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie backs team-mate Dennis Geiger following the midfielder's red card against Motherwell. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Referee John Beaton will officiate Dundee United's Saturday home Premiership meeting with Kilmarnock three days on from sending off three players in Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win over Motherwell.

Friday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

• Since the start of last season, Aberdeen have won all five of their league meetings with Dundee, their most victories against any opponent in this time.

• Dundee are winless in their last 17 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L12) since a 2-1 victory in May 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Aberdeen have lost six of their last seven league games - all without scoring - while the exception was a 6-2 win over Livingston in January. Indeed, since the first game of this period (30 Dec v Hibernian), no side has fewer points than the Dons in the Scottish Premiership (three, level with Livingston), while only Dundee (five) have scored fewer goals than them (six).

• Dundee have failed to score in each of their last three away league games, last going four without a goal on the road in the top-flight in December 2004.

• While Aberdeen have used more different players in the Scottish Premiership this season than any side (36), Dundee have used the fewest (26). Despite this, Dundee have had more different goal scorers in the competition this term (12) than the Dons (11).

Image source, SNS

A successful defence of the Scottish Cup is "everything" to Aberdeen after they reached the quarter-finals of the competition, according to The Herald's football writer Stephen McGowan.

The Dons came out on top in a dramatic fourth round tie at Pittodrie, winning 2-0 against Motherwell in a match where they had Dennis Geiger sent off but their opponents saw Oscar Priestman and Liam Gordon dismissed.

Aberdeen lifted the trophy with a famous victory over Celtic last May but this season has failed to deliver, with Jimmy Thelin sacked and the team still under the interim leadership of Peter Leven as the search for a new manager drags on.

With the side languishing in eighth place in the Premiership table, progress in the cup looks increasingly vital to the team's hopes of rescuing their season.

"I thought it was huge for Aberdeen," McGowan told the Scottish Football Podcast. "I think you saw what it meant to them at the end as well.

"Graeme Shinnie, was pushed to the Red Shed by the manager and was kissing the badge when he scored the goal. I think that shows you how much it means to him.

"The Scottish Cup is it for Aberdeen now.

"It doesn't look as if they'll even make the top six. So it's all about retaining that trophy.

"You saw what it meant to them last year. I think going to Hampden at least for the semi-finals, maybe for the final would be big for them.

"I mean, they're in a kind of holding pattern, aren't they? Because they don't have a manager, they're hanging on to the summer to see if they can get the new man over the line, get it done.

"They're kind of just clutching at straws wherever they can find them. And I think last night was quite a big straw for them to clutch at because they have a winnable, appealing game against Dunfermline in the next round now.

"It just extends their season a little bit longer because make no mistake, if they had lost last night, the season was over."

Holders Aberdeen overcome Motherwell in a controversial Scottish Cup fifth-round tie to set up a quarter-final meeting with Dunfermline Athletic (UK users only).

Image source, SNS

Scotland midfielder John McGinn criticised VAR north of the border as "a mess" as his brother Paul's Motherwell exited the Scottish Cup at the hands of Aberdeen in a tie featuring three red cards. (Sun), external

Motherwell have contacted Scottish head of refereeing Willie Collum after having two players sent off at Pittodrie. (Record), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after last night's Scottish Cup win over Motherwell.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Chris: A bit of a mixed bag. Looked dangerous at times (especially in the first half), but clumsy and tentative at others. I'm not sure what game Willie Miller was watching when he said Motherwell were the better side though.

Blair: I thought it was a really good game from an Aberdeen point of view. But I feel like Jens Berthel Askou and his Motherwell side can learn from their mistakes and come out bigger and stronger next time.

Malky: I just don't get this team. I really don't. There has been significant investment and a ridiculous turnover of players, yet we look like a team that's regressing instead of progressing. Listen, into the next round of the competition, you take it, but you really have to fear for this team going forward. Retaining the cup would be monumental, it would be phenomenal, but this club need to get their act together and fast.

Andy: Let's face it Aberdeen were the underdogs. Before the game I was happy to take a scrappy 1-0 win. Despite having two men sent off Motherwell were the better team. Two good goals but overall it was a hard watch if you were an Aberdeen fan.

Mark: An eventful game to say the least and the spotlight will very much be on VAR as usual, however I thought Well looked sloppy in possession even before the second sending off. Graeme Shinnie and Lyall Cameron really drove the team on and it's a massive result. I hope it's not another false Don…

Justin: A win is great but still very unconvincing although in spells we played well. The man advantage didn't seem apparent which is worrying. Nerves were evident but hopefully a step in the right direction.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven: "Delighted to get through, but we need to be better.

"I thought we looked nervous at times, maybe that's where we are at the season right now, but looking back on Sunday, I thought we did really well away to Motherwell, had a lot more possession, lots of chances and got nothing at the game.

"And then tonight, we weren't our best, but we got through, so that's football.

"I can't remember it back [first red card], but I just remember it turning to Tony Docherty saying, listen, we need to punish him here on the free-kick, as he did.

"I think Olusanya was through, I don't think anybody's catching him. And Dennis[Geiger] is a little bit high watching it live.

"But again, that comes from us being sloppy, not controlling the game, taking that man advantage, making that second ball game at times and not working hard enough to get on the ball.

"We did a chat before the game, and we want to get to the final again, we want to win the trophy.

"It's a huge win."

On the ongoing managerial situation at the club, Leven added: "No, nothing yet.

"But listen, I'm just taking it game by game just now."

Scottish Cup holders Aberdeen are through to the last eight after beating Motherwell at Pittodrie.

Two of the three cards shown went to the visitors, while Kevin Nisbet and Graeme Shinnie got the goals.

Read the match report.

Send in your thoughts.

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Aberdeen could be forced to rethink their next managerial appointment as a deal for Eirik Horneland has become "complicated".

Earlier this month the Norwegian emerged as a leading candidate for the vacancy left by Jimmy Thelin's departure at Pittodrie.

Horneland, who left the head coach position at French Ligue 2 club Saint-Etienne at the start of February, has also managed SK Brann and Rosenborg in Norway.

But Times Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast that, for reasons outside of the club's control, there may be an issue with appointing Horneland.

"The manager hunt has been complicated," Grant said.

"It's now six and a half weeks since Thelin left and there is that feeling that the manager they want might not come until the summer. Now, I think it's even more complicated than that.

"I'm not convinced or I'm not certain that Eirik Horneland's coming at all.

"He's the man that they've identified and fancied for a number of weeks. I think there's now another issue that's come up which is very complicated and it's a personal thing and it might mean that he doesn't end up coming as manager.

"It's unresolved. It might resolve itself satisfactorily.

"Aberdeen don't know at the moment whether Horneland is still available for this job or whether they might have to start looking elsewhere.

"It's a really difficult situation because if the results go into any sort of tailspin, the fans are going to be up in arms about the fact it's an interim team for so long.

"If it's not going to be Horneland, maybe they can accelerate a chase for an alternative candidate. They have spoken to other people, but there isn't clarity."

Image source, BBC Sport

Midfielder Lyall Cameron admits he expected some negativity around his move after he saw the 'No Old Firm loans' banner displayed at Pittodrie ahead of his Aberdeen debut (Press and Journal), external.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven says his side need to take their chances if they are to take the next step in their Scottish Cup defence by knocking out Motherwell.

The teams meet in their rescheduled fifth round tie at Pittodrie on Wednesday, just days after Motherwell won the Premiership encounter between the sides 2-0 at Fir Park.

Leven said there were plenty of reasons for him to feel encouraged by his side's performance despite defeat but urged the team to be clinical to make the most of any opportunities.

"As I said to the boys today, we are the holders, we want to defend it, we want to get to the final again, and we want to win it," he said.

"We've got to take our chances. Everyone saw that we had enough chances [on Sunday], and they did as well but in the second half we had clear cut opportunities to get back in the game. Obviously we've watched it back and it's frustrating because there was a clear handball. The ball doesn't leave the box because it struck his arm, the ref doesn't see it and it's really frustrating.

"We know how important it is in this league to get the first goal because the chances of you going on to win it are quite high. So it's frustrating but there were a lot of positives from the game that we can go on and cause problems for Motherwell tomorrow."

The interim boss, who said he still hadn't been told anything about his future despite reports that he will be in charge until summer, said it was possible his team might enjoy a break from a difficult league campaign to continue their cup defence. But he said the important thing was just to get a victory.

"It's been difficult, I'm not going to lie," he said. "But we have to take the positives from the last game.

"But we're at the business end of the season and it's about winning games. The most important part is that we are still in the cup, come Thursday.

"Since I've taken over there's been signs that we can get back. The Livingston game, obviously, and parts of the game at the weekend were really good.

"It's just about getting that consistency and doing it for the majority of the game.

"They're a good team in very good form but we're at home. We've got to take the game to them, play our way and again, it's all about getting through."

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

The Dons came out of damp storage after three match postponements.

The return of Tony Docherty to the dugout saw some much needed experience, however it did not improve matters on the pitch.

It was not for the lack of trying, as chance after chance went begging for Aberdeen, and Motherwell, whose form is imperious at Fir Park, edged ahead through Elijah Just.

We had rung the changes pre-match with four debutants.

The lack of match sharpness and fitness was evident throughout. Well our games are coming quick and fast so hopefully the sharpness and fitness comes to the players.

Top-six hopes are as good as gone, we have to be careful not to sleepwalk into a relegation battle, with just eight points between ourselves and the play-off battle.

Could a cup run ignite some excitement? All eyes turn to Wednesday and our defence of the cup.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external