Aberdeen

Midfielder Ryan Duncan, 22, who is on loan at Ross County from Aberdeen, is unsure over his Pittodrie future. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch all the highlights as Afeez Aremu's early goal helped Aberdeen to all three points against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Malky: First and foremost delighted with the clean sheet and three points two games in a row, that has to be a confidence builder. All but safe but should not take our foot off the gas, it's still mathematically possible. My only real concern is that Killie could, and probably should, have had a handful of goals themselves. There's still a weakness in our defence and there's still a handful of players that are just not up to being an Aberdeen player. Hopefully the manager has clocked that by now and he's working on resolving it for next season.

Mark: A great start and although we maybe rode our luck with them hitting the bar twice we seem a bit more difficult to beat. The points and confidence from these results are the most important thing right now and confidence is building.

Fred: More grit and determination but Kilmarnock were the better team.

Niall: After a fast start and an early goal it looked like we would kick on and seal the deal. At the end of the match three precious points were taken and it wasn't pretty. There's no doubt Aberdeen are fighting for their survival but the reality is there is such a massive rebuild required to restore the levels of where this club belongs. At the moment we are far too easy to play against and so toothless up front.

Eric: Good to see another clean sheet, and what looks like the core of a team for next season. A much more solid team performance and although we rode our luck at times, we also had our chances. Would be a good end to the season to finish unbeaten.

Scott: I'll take the three points, but boy did we get a lucky break. I'll take that too, as we haven't had much luck this season. We're far from safe as things stand. Livi on Friday will be a tough game, and we'll need other results to go our way. The big thing for me is that we have to win our home games, if nothing else. Do that, we're safe. The thing is, I still have my doubts about these players capability to do that.

Aberdeen took a significant step towards Scottish Premiership safety by digging out a vital victory at home to Kilmarnock, who stay in the relegation play-off place.

What did you think about the Dons' performance?

Have your say.

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Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson: "Delighted with the result. I thought we started really, really well and played brilliantly for 15-20 minutes. Then we looked very nervous after that.

"It's to be expected of course. But one thing that hasn't been said about an Aberdeen side for a while is they're hard to beat, they defended crosses well and defended set-plays well.

"Their character was questioned throughout the season and I thought to a man they stood up today. Can we better on the ball? Of course we can.

"We can be more composed, take more touches and create more chances. But overall we created more chances, we allowed Killie to have the ball in certain areas, pressed them well and took the ball off them at times.

"I'm really proud of how they conducted themselves today, how they played, the energy, aggression, organisation - that's the basics.

"That's what hasn't been done for a long time here. We have to build on that. The nervousness will calm down hopefully and we'll add to that.

"Until someone tells me mathematically we're away from the play-off then we'll be continuing to work and build on that performance."

Aberdeen are interested in landing 21-year-old Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen this summer when his Dunfermline Athletic contract expires. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

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Aberdeen are set to welcome centre-half Mats Knoester and on-loan Hoffenheim midfielder Dennis Geiger back into contention.

But Nicky Devlin, Kristers Tobers and Nick Suman remain out.

Marley Watkins and Jack Thomson will be assessed by Kilmarnock head coach Neil McCann.

However, Tyreece John-Jules, Djenairo Daniels and Matty Kennedy are sidelined.

Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland

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People at Aberdeen have described the atmosphere at the club as "the best in months", according to head coach Stephen Robinson.

Robinson's comments come prior to Saturday's game against Kilmarnock, with the 51-year-old believing a win would give his side "breathing space" in the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot.

Aberdeen picked up a vital three points in their last game against Hibernian - their first win since mid-February - and victory against Killie at Pittodrie would put Robinson's men eight points above their second-bottom opponents.

Robinson inherited a struggling side from Jimmy Thelin but believes he is starting to see more positivity from his players.

He said: "On the Friday before the [Hibs] game, the atmosphere around the training ground was the best I'd seen, and people had said to me it was the best seen in months.

"The atmosphere has been really good, it gives you something to build on.

"We have changed some things in the training ground, creating the players' lounge, creating an area where everybody has to come together.

"People are starting to understand a little bit more what I want from them and we're starting to see people get their confidence back.

"It's the culture I want to create. We're getting there, it takes a little bit of time.

"It takes individuals to buy into that, but I'm starting to see progress in that."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before his side host relegation rivals Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Robinson says on the day before their victory over Hibernian, people around the club told him the atmosphere was the best they'd seen in months.

• Since his arrival, Robinson has been pleased with the increasingly positive feeling around the club and training ground, adding: "I think you need a culture at the football club. When I came in, obviously there had been a lot of change, a lot of managers, a lot of different voices. So that's hard for the players to actually know what you want. So that takes a little bit of time, I think we're getting there now. "

• A win would take Aberdeen eight points clear of Killie in the relegation play-off spot and Robinson says: "If we managed to get the three points then it would ease the pressure a little bit. Certainly, it doesn't confirm that we're safe, but it makes it difficult for other teams to catch us. So it's a huge game."

• After the Dons ended a two-month winless streak with victory over Hibs, Robinson knows the fans will have a huge impact on the players in the run-in: "We had a fantastic backing and 18,500 in the stadium who were all right behind the team, and what a difference that makes. And the players respond to that. So we realise how big a game it is, we want to embrace the game."

• The head coach knows Killie will pose a real challenge under "good manager" Neil McCann and have a nice blend of technical and physical players. Aberdeen "have to be ready at the top of our game" against a side who are now playing with "freedom" in attack and committing players forward.

• With Aberdeen still in a relegation fight, Robinson says "confidence is everything" and praises a "core" in the squad who are setting the example.

• On Findlay Marshall, who recently signed a contract extension, Robinson says: "I pushed for that to be done very quickly and every time he's trained, he's impressed me. And it's just a shame it's not a co-operation agreement that he could probably play the last two games for us. So we're delighted he's on board. He's one of many of the young players I've been impressed with."

• Mats Knoester and Dennis Geiger are both in contention for Saturday's game. Robinson says: "Mats will come back into the squad for tomorrow, which is a huge boost. Dennis Geiger, if he gets through today, will come back into the squad again as well. So yeah, that's another boost for us getting into this game."

Aberdeen have an option to sign Dennis Geiger on a permanent basis but the on-loan midfielder has another year on his contract at Hoffenheim and the Pittodrie club cannot get near those Bundesliga wages. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

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• Aberdeen have won their first game after the Scottish Premiership split in five of the past seven seasons (L2), with two of those wins coming against Kilmarnock in 2017-18 (2-0) and 2018-19 (1-0).

• Kilmarnock have only won their first game after the split in three of their past 18 top-flight campaigns (D2 L13), although one of those was last season, beating Ross County 2-0.

• Aberdeen have won eight of their past nine Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock, losing the other 1-0 in December 2023.

• None of Aberdeen and Kilmarnock's past 15 league meetings have been drawn, with the Dons winning nine and Killie winning six since a 2-2 stalemate in March 2020.

• Kevin Nisbet has scored in his past five home games in the Premiership (eight goals), the first player to do so for Aberdeen since Adam Rooney in December 2015. The last player to score in six successive home appearances for any side in the competition was Kevin van Veen in May 2023, while the last Scottish player to do so was Kris Doolan in May 2017.

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We asked for your views on which Dons player has been the biggest letdown this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Christopher: Jesper Karlsson. A quality player, brought in by a manger that knew how good he was, and never gave 100%. Seemed like he thought he was too good and didn't want to be here.

Alan: Biggest disappointment has to be Nicolas Milanovic. Apparently we fought off big clubs on the continent to get him and it just hasn't happened for him to date. Hoping he can turn out to be the next 'Shady Mo' and can kick on next season.

Ian: Trying to narrow down just one disappointment is too difficult. I think too big a squad for a priority of Europe was a big mistake. Too many gambles across the XI. Formations that didn't suit and forced. Sticking with an interim manager that was poor. Just sub par all round.

Ewen: Millanovic. Came with some fanfare and pedigree regarding his team and player of the year awards in Australia, but has done nothing. Barely looks interested, won't help his team-mates at all. It would be easier to play with 10 men when he's on the pitch.

David: It has to be Milanovic. Signed with significant cost and therefore expectation. It's not easy to adapt from A-League to our league. He looks lost and ill-equipped for the physical side of it so far. A loan to a Scottish Championship side could be what he needs. Otherwise, I had hoped Ante Palaversa would be a mainstay by now. Always looked talented, but again looked distracted and lost at times.

Andrew: Without a doubt it has to be Milanovic. For having paid a reasonable fee for him, he's contributed zilch.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson lauds the impact of 34-year-old captain Graeme Shinnie, who is out of contract this summer. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

For the 10th time since the inception of the split in Scotland's top flight, Aberdeen will take part in the bottom six.

The fact they are facing a battle to preserve their unbroken top-tier status has almost thrown a cloak over their failure to finish in the top half of the table. They still have bigger fish to fry after all.

However, on Saturday they welcome 11th-place Kilmarnock to Pittodrie knowing a win would surely vanquish all thoughts of being sucked into a play-off against Partick Thistle, Arbroath or the Dons' Scottish Cup conquerors and finalists Dunfermline.

Stephen Robinson secured the services of midfielder Findlay Marshall, who is currently on loan at Arbroath, for next season and beyond as the club signed the Stonehaven youngster on a two-year extension.

It was an announcement the supporters were hoping would be made by the club after his outstanding campaign in the Championship this season where he has scored 15 times and set up four. Marshall's Dons career looked over before it had started under Jimmy Thelin.

It was a smart move and it is now up to Marshall to step up and become a first-team regular next season.

Aberdeen's post-split fixtures look favourable with Killie and St Mirren both due in the Granite City and now Robinson has had more time with the players.

The Northern Irishman is addressing issues within the squad as he seeks more togetherness that seemed to have been lost.

If they can chisel out an eight-point lead over Killie by Saturday evening with an already superior goal difference, he can start planning for next season in earnest.

Last week we asked for your Aberdeen player of the year - and Kevin Nisbet's goals gave him the edge.

Now we want to know the Pittodrie player who has been the biggest disappointment this season.

It could be a new signing who has underwhelmed or an existing squad member who has failed to kick on.

Share your thoughts here.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson backs striker Kevin Nisbet for a Scotland World Cup call-up. (Record - subscription required), external

Robinson challenges 11-times capped Nisbet, 29, to make a late push for the World Cup. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Aberdeen could look into extending defender Liam Morrison's loan deal from Queens Park Rangers if it was an option for next season, says Robinson. (Aberdeen Live), external

Captain Graeme Shinnie is happy for Aberdeen to win ugly so long as they win. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Tom McIntyre, who joined Aberdeen in February, has played his last game on loan to the Scottish Premiership club after the defender returned to Portsmouth for treatment on a hamstring injury that has ruled the 27-year-old out for the rest of the season. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Aberdeen are weighing up whether to make a summer transfer move for Granite City-raised Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle, with the 32-year-old set to leave Easter Road at the end of the season. (Press & Journal), external

Hibs forward Martin Boyle is among a number of forward options being considered by Aberdeen but has lucrative options in Australia and Asia, while there is also interest from English clubs. (Daily Record), external

Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson has confirmed he is considering moving to extend 23-year-old centre-half Liam Morrison's loan deal from Queens Park Rangers. (Press & Journal), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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We asked for your views on who deserves to be Aberdeen's player of the year.

Here's what you said:

Justin: It has to be Kevin Nisbet, without his goals god knows where we'd be.

Marty: Its a tough one to call. Regardless of our defensive frailties, Jack Milne has stood out. He is still young but I see a great prospect in him. That said, I think it has to go to Nisbet, he seems to be the only one that can score, which is an area we are poor in. Give him the service, and he will give us the goals.

Ross: Dylan Lobban is the player of the year. His attitude towards getting forward and taking men on is not only encouraging but it's entertaining. Scotland loves wing play, this kid has it!

Chris: Mats Knoester was solid and we'd likely be in a better place in the table if he'd been here the last 11 games. That said, Nisbet is my pick. Give him service and he'll score. Some cracking goals scored and likely a few more before the season end. I'd have him as my fourth-pick World Cup striker as with better players around him he is quality.

Andy: That's a hard one, it was a collective failing in my opinion. The one player I would pick out is Nisbet. He did his best despite the dreadful service he received. No other pass marks I'm afraid.

Marc: After many gutless performances, not one of those players really deserve to win POTY. If I had to pick one, it would be Knoester. He plays for the badge.

David: Player of the year has been Jack Milne. Shouldering responsibility when he should be learning from somebody beside him.

Evan: In a season where at some point I've thought ever single player should be paid off and never play another game for Aberdeen FC again... the goals of Nisbet may be what saves us from a relegation play-off. Notable mentions to Mitchel Frame and Dylan Lobban, but neither played enough to clinch it.

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson will ban mobile phones at the training ground from next season as he tries to improve squad harmony. (Press and Journal), external