Aberdeen

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Prague

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Trying to gatecrash the Scotland squad for next summer's World Cup is "a big motivator" for Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet.

The last of Nisbet's 11 caps came as a substitute late in the second half as the Scots defeated Georgia 2-0 in a Euro qualifier at Hampden in 2023.

"Obviously the World Cup is coming up which is a big motivator for me so it is just up to myself now to go and get myself in the squad," the 28-year-old said.

"For me it is just about getting as many goals up until maybe January and then kind of looking from there.

"I have been around the squad, I have been to the Euros, so I know how good it is. The motivation is there, I have been there and it is just about me trying to get in the squad.

"To go to a World Cup would be great but right now it is just full focus on Aberdeen."

Nisbet returned to the Dons on a three-year deal from Millwall in the summer after impressing on loan last term where he netted 14 in 38 appearances.

Nisbet has scored just twice this season, both in the past six games, and believes he is finding form after a disjointed start.

Speaking before Thursday night's Conference League dead rubber away to Sparta Prague, he said: "I think I have grown into the season.

"I came off the back of a broken pre-season as well, similar to last year, and just trying to get minutes under my belt.

"I think probably the last three or four weeks I have been putting in good performances so it has been great.

"I feel I am up to speed now, I feel I can impact games more. The longer the games go on I am not as tired, not as leggy any more, so it is going to be an interesting season."

Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven is the bookmakers' favourite to be Kilmarnock's new manager, ahead of Livingston's David Martindale and interim boss Kris Doolan. (The Scotsman), external

Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, recently sacked by Raith Rovers, was pictured alongside Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes at a first-team training session at the Oriam on Wednesday. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Prague

Jimmy Thelin says there has been "no approach" from Kilmarnock for Aberdeen assistant Peter Leven despite reports linking him to the vacant manager's job.

Stuart Kettlewell was sacked on Monday following Killie's 10-match winless run, including eight defeats, which leaves the side sitting second bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Reports in the last couple of days have suggested Leven is a contender to replace Kettlewell, but Thelin said "no one has approached" Aberdeen.

"First of all, no one has approached us about this situation," Thelin said at his pre-match press conference before Aberdeen's final Conference League game against Sprta Prague on Thursday.

"I have also talked to Peter and he didn't know anything about it.

"Right now his focus is here and we are focused to have him here, too.

"I think when you are working hard in this business and you do a good job there can always be interest in you, but we haven't talked about anything else other than Aberdeen right now.

"Everybody owns their own decisions, it is not my job to talk about what he should do with his life, but right now he is working for Aberdeen and he is focused here."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Prague

Image source, SNS

Manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Aberdeen's final Conference League match away to Sparta Prague on Thursday.

Here are the key points:

• Following reports linking Aberdeen assistant Peter Leven with the vacant manager's job at Kilmarnock, Thelin said: "No one has approached us about this situation. I have also talked to Peter and he didn't know anything about it. Right now he is working for Aberdeen and he is focused here."

• Despite already being knocked out of the competition, the manager said "we are going to pick the best team available," pointing out "we have strong competition inside the squad".

• Thelin says Sparta are "a good team with a lot good players," but he's want his side to "prove to ourselves we are also a good team".

• The manager feels "the team has grown" during the European campaign and wants this game to be a continuation of that.

• Aberdeen have brought "the same squad as before" to Prague, but some players "have some small issues".

Sparta Prague captain Lukas Haraslin was surprised by Aberdeen's "Spanish" style of play when he watched footage of the Dons in action before the sides' Conference League meeting on Thursday.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, EPA

Sparta Prague head coach Brian Priske is expecting to come up against a "free" Aberdeen side playing for pride on Thursday night.

The Dons were eliminated from the Conference League after last week's home 1-0 defeat to Strasbourg left them 33rd in the 36-team table.

Sparta are sixth and know a win in the final league-phase game will put them straight through to the round of 16, avoiding a play-off.

"It is going to be a tough game," Priske said.

"They have pride to play for, that is not everything but it is a lot and we know they can come here and play free.

"I know they have a tough game at the weekend back home [away to Celtic] but they have had some good games in the Conference League so far.

"Obviously they got battered [6-0] in Athens but other than that they have been very good, they have been strong, they have been close to picking up more points than they actually have.

"I think they have a good style of play, their system and their philosophy is really good, it is attacking minded.

"Maybe since the big loss in Athens they have been sitting back a little bit more but they for sure have quality in the front three players."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, Uefa via Getty Images

While Sparta Prague are already through to the Conference League knockout play-off round at least, they still need to beat Aberdeen on Thursday night to protect their place in the top eight and book a place directly into the last 16.

That, and the fact this is their final game before a six-week winter break, means they have less incentive to rotate their squad than the Dons.

Brian Priske's side are unbeaten in four games and have only lost one of their past nine, but a lack of victories in the league recently means they have slipped seven points behind rivals Slavia.

In the Conference League, 4-1 home win over Shamrock Rovers aside, their games have been decided by a single goal.

Away wins over Legia Warsaw and Craiova of Romania have been key to getting them into sixth spot, while their only loss came in Rijeka amid farcical scenes, when the second half had to be played the next day after a biblical downpour postponed the match.

Sparta use a 3-4-3 formation and their key man is captain Lukas Haraslin, who plays on the left of the front three.

The 49-cap Czech Republic international is technically excellent and has five goals and five assists this season, including setting up the winner in Romania last time.

Kosovo striker Albion Rrahmani has 12 goals, while another Czech international, Jan Kuchta, has nine.

It is a team with plenty of European and international experience, and which has lost just once in 15 home games this season, making it a daunting task for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen, who play their final Conference League match of the season away to Sparta Prague on Thursday, are urged to make an immediate return to European football next season by manager Jimmy Thelin. (Record), external

European qualification is a minimum target for Aberdeen, says goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Chelsea Women goalkeeper Katie Cox's loan to Aberdeen could be terminated amid reports suggesting Women's Super League clubs are keen on signing the 19-year-old in January. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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On-loan Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge scored four goals - all in the first half - as Inverness Caledonian Thistle thumped Dumbarton 9-0 in the KDM Evolution Trophy.

The 19-year-old got the Scottish League 1 leaders off the mark after just four minutes and they were 7-0 up by the break against their League 2 hosts.

It takes Bavidge up to 14 goals for the season and he has now scored five times in two games, having also found the net in Saturday's 4-0 league defeat of Hamilton Academical.

The victory over Dumbarton sets up a third-round tie away to Partick Thistle, who won 2-1 away to Cove Rangers.

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Former Scotland and Aberdeen defender Mikey Devlin has announced his retirement from professional football at age 32.

He had been without a club for six months after being released by Ayr United in the summer.

Devlin made his professional debut with Hamilton, where he racked up almost 150 appearances in a seven-year spell, before joining Aberdeen in 2018.

He won his three Scotland caps in October and November 2019, but was blighted by injuries in the final five years of his career, including stints at Hibernian and Livingston.

Confirming his retirement on LinkedIn, external, Devlin wrote: "After a lot of reflection and contemplation, I feel ready for it. To walk away from a job that was my dream, something I loved deeply and my identity for vast majority of my life was, and is, a challenge. That being said, not only do I feel ready, I feel excited about what's next.

"I'm incredibly proud of what I achieved in my career. Without doubt, representing my country is the highlight.

"The highs and lows are expected, to a degree, but football has the potential to take you to places mentally which you don't have the capacity to make sense of. This was certainly the greatest challenge I faced personally.

"I consider myself unbelievably fortunate to have experienced what I have throughout my 16 years as a professional. I played for brilliant clubs and worked with amazing people."

Devlin will continue as chair of PFA Scotland where he also takes on a new full-time role as head of projects, adding: "I hope my lived experience as a player can influence and guide me as I seek to support and drive change for every other footballer in Scotland."

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

VAR controversy had a hand in Aberdeen's latest win as two decisions changed the game.

Kilmarnock had a spot-kick for handball overturned then the visitors conceded one for Jesper Karlsson's late winner.

It was a deserved but hard-earned victory that led to the sacking of Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell.

The visitors took full advantage in an awful first 45 with a fine finish from Tyreece John-Jules. Dimitar Mitov kept up his fine from from Thursday by preventing further damage with an outstanding save to defy Bruce Anderson.

The second half brought an end to the left wing-back experiment of Topi Keskinen, which just hasn't worked. Graeme Shinnie turned in a true captain's performance in his 45-minute outing.

Kenan Bilalovic made an impact off the bench, scoring his first Don goal, and a deserved winner followed from the spot.

A trip to Prague rounds off our European adventure before the weekend trip to Celtic Park. Can we take some Christmas cheer and pile the misery on Celtic?

On Sunday's second-half showing there's no reason why not.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

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Aberdeen coach Peter Leven is under consideration for the vacant Kilmarnock manager's job following Stuart Kettlewell's dismissal. (Daily Record), external

We asked for your views after Aberdeen came from behind the beat Kilmarnock 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: The Dons as good in the second half as they were awful in the first half. We just need 90 minutes from them now. Graeme Shinnie turned the game around, what a performance. Dynamic and inspirational.

Malky: First and foremost, that type of first-half performance can never happen again. Playing a more confident team and we'd have been out of sight at half-time, it was inexcusable. Second half is the Aberdeen we all want to see, I get you can't maintain that for 90 minutes, no-one can, but you have to get that balance right and you'll win more than you lose. Domestically we are purring along points wise, but the malcontent in me wants to see this team controlling games a lot more, we aren't half frustrating! But on we go.

Chris: The first half was dire, pedestrian and full of failed passing attempts and reluctance to even try to get the ball in the box for anyone to attack, there were no pass marks. The introduction of Shinnie first made the difference, then came Marko Lazetic and Kenan Bilalovic, surprised that Jesper Karlsson stayed on, he was so poor and lacked any vision or penetration. However we were gifted a soft penalty and he did his only good part of his day, he scored and gave us a win. He has a good record from the spot but in general he was poor. We got away with a very poor performance and bagged three points, Stuart Kettlewell must be gutted his team played well.

David: Game of two halves, we were awful in the first half no energy, no penetration, no effort. Second half it was a complete 180, but if we continue to be that split personality team it's going to be a long season because there aren't many Kilmarnock's who will let us back into the game.

Graham: Pleasing to get three points. Still much to do but Jimmy Thelin is beginning to understand his best team. Grinding results is not pretty but the second half performance was immense. Strikers still a huge problem so January needs to sort that and we can make an assault on the top three.

Euan: The team now clearly has the capacity to play some good football, but we have yet to do it for more than half a game. If we can keep high intensity and the confidence to play through the lines we will be in for a fun end to the season. Fighting wins like this can only help that confidence.

Watch all the highlights as Aberdeen come from behind to defeat Kilmarnock and pile further pressure on Stuart Kettlewell.

Available to UK users only

Manager Jimmy Thelin credits captain Graeme Shinnie for Aberdeen's comeback win over Kilmarnock. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

A superb second-half fightback earned Aberdeen all three Scottish Premiership points at Pittodrie and consigned Kilmarnock to a 10th straight game without a win.

Read the match report

Have your say

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "I'm really happy. The second half was really good football from our side and the goals we scored were important.

"Our first half was so bad, the touches, the connections. I know we played in Europe but we need to be better.

"The subs made a difference, but also the players from the first half improved a lot.

"It was so bad that we didn't need to say something special. Everything improved. They looked themselves in the mirror, stepped out like good players that they are.

"I know we have a big squad and they are working hard. I am happy for [Kenan Bilalovic] to score that goal.

"It's a tough league. It's so small margins sometimes. We need to take it game by game and be a little bit better."

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• Aberdeen have won their past two league meetings with Kilmarnock (both 1-0), after having lost five of their previous seven beforehand (W2).

• Kilmarnock have lost seven of their past eight league visits to Aberdeen, winning the other 1-0 in December 2023.

• Aberdeen have won six of their latest nine league games (D2 L1), more than their previous 33 beforehand (W5 D8 L20).

• Kilmarnock are winless in nine Premiership games (D2 L7), their longest run in the competition since March 2021, when they went 10 without victory.

• Stuart Armstrong, who has assisted a goal in both of Aberdeen's past two league games, has been directly involved in five goals in his latest seven Premiership starts against Kilmarnock (four goals, one assist).

• He could become the first player to assist a goal in three successive league appearances for Aberdeen since Jamie McGrath in August 2024 – the third of which was against Killie.

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Aberdeen remain without Gavin Molloy and Kristers Tobers because of knee injuries.

Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson is suspended but Brad Lyons returns from a ban.

Jack Thomson and Marley Watkins will be assessed after missing the defeat by Rangers while Max Stryjek (heart), Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

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Aberdeen's Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Raith Rovers will be shown live on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer.

The game takes place at Pittodrie on Sunday, 18 January (14:30 GMT).

It marks the start of Aberdeen's cup defence after they lifted the trophy for the first time in 35 years last season.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov believes Aberdeen have taken steps in the right direction throughout their Conference League campaign despite failing to register a win.

The 1-0 home defeat to Strasbourg on Thursday night ended the Dons' slim hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

The French side sit top of the tournament standings while Aberdeen are 33rd out of the 36 sides having taken just two points from their five games.

"We have to take our chances," Mitov told BBC Scotland.

"It is really disappointing but at the same time it is really positive as well because if we manage to create the chances we created against teams like that, we are showing we are going in the right direction and we are working in the right way.

"I am really proud of the boys because we are growing so much as a team, we are showing resilience.

"We are much harder to beat than before and that is something you need to give to the boys, everybody is putting in a shift and that is a good sign the team is improving.

"There are definitely more positives to take than negatives for sure."