Aberdeen FC

[DavidMc]

St Mirren 0-1 Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 29th December 07
Love Street, Paisley

Substitute Steve Lovell stole the points for Aberdeen as he pounced on a St Mirren mistake to score the only goal seven minutes from time.

Billy Mehmet fired just wide, while Stewart Kean and Marco Miranda headers went close for the Buddies during a dismal first half.

Miranda sent another header past as the second half action failed to improve.

But Lovell pounced after Alan Reid was short with a back-header and the striker provided the clinical finish.

St Mirren had been unchanged following the Boxing Day victory away to Hearts. But Jimmy Calderwood was forced to ring the changes after a draw with Gretna that angered the Aberdeen boss.


Fit-again Scott Severin and Chris Clark came in along with Daniel Smith for injured trio Jackie McNamara, Andrew Considine and Zander Diamond.

The home side were first to threaten and Billy Mehmet slid the ball just wide of the left-hand post after latching on to a mis-hit drive from Franco Miranda.

Foster - so assured at left-back against Gretna - was given a torrid time at right-back in the early stages by Miranda, who St Mirren looked to feed at every opportunity.

Indeed, Calderwood's reshaped defence - with Severin playing sweeper behind man-markers Richie Byrne and Lee Mair - was far from secure in the early stages and Gus McPherson's men looked capable of capitalising.

And, from Alex Burke's inswinging corner, Stewart Kean found himself in space six yards from goal, but the forward wastefully headed over.

Miranda was next to head over as Aberdeen started to come to grips with Buddies strikers Mehmet and Kean.


The second half did not bring an improvement to the quality of football.

Some neat footwork on the edge of the box and a clever chip by central defender Ian Maxwell in the 50th minute was the only bright moment in a dispiriting start to the second period.

A glimmer of a chance arrived just after the hour mark when Burke's low free-kick evaded several Aberdeen defenders and reached Miranda.

But the St Mirren midfielder headed over as he tried to inject power into his effort.

The clearest chance of the match arrived with seven minutes remaining, Sone Aluko crossing well from the left and Lovell's firm strike forcing Chris Smith to scramble the ball around his post.

But Lovell broke the deadlock a minute later.

And Reid's attempt to make amends for his mistake was well held by goalkeeper Jamie Langfield after a drive from the edge of the box as Aberdeen held on for a barely-deserved three points.



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St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Maxwell, Potter, Reid, Mason, Burke (Molloy 72), McGinn, Miranda, Mehmet, Kean (Corcoran 81).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Brady, McCay, Docherty, McAusland.

Booked: Miranda.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Daniel Smith (Aluko 67), Mair, Severin, Byrne, Young (Lovell 67), Nicholson, Foster, Clark, Miller, Jamie Smith.
Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Maguire, De Visscher, Jonathan Smith.

Goals: Lovell 85.

Att: 5,025

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen 1-0 Inverness CT

Final score

Aberdeen scraped three points at Pittodrie, thanks to Barry Nicholson's late penalty against Caley Thistle.

Lee Mair came close to putting the Dons ahead in the 21st minute, but his header was saved by Michael Fraser.

Inverness failed to replicate their impressive recent form, and Richard Hastings missed their best chance in a poor game after 32 minutes.

Ross Tokely blundered in bringing down Lee Miller for an 83rd minute spot-kick from which Nicholson duly converted.

With this narrow win, Aberdeen now extend their unbeaten home run to 12 games.

But the Dons had to cope with a string of key absentees for the Highlanders's visit, while Craig Brewster had a full squad to choose from.

Darren Mackie, Michael Hart, Andrew Considine, Jackie McNamara and Zander Diamond were all forced to miss out with injury.

Inverness - who defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 in impressive style at the weekend - were hoping to build on the recent form which saw them claim six victories in their last seven SPL outings.

The players, officials and supporters of both sides paid tribute to Phil O'Donnell with a minute's applause before kick-off.

However, Sone Aluko almost broke the deadlock for the Dons in the sixth minute.

But before the on-loan Birmingham player could shoot he was tackled by the alert Ian Black, and Scott Severin's drive from distance monents later flashed wide.

Aberdeen were on top, but could not convert their chances and missed a pair of headers in quick succession.

Firstly, Miller was off-target as he looped an effort wide following a pinpoint centre from Derek Young.


Caley Thistle's Marius Niculae takes possession at Pittodrie

Caley Thistle goalkeeper Fraser was then in the right place to stop a powerful close-range Mair header as the Reds were poised to break the deadlock.

The visitors began to edge into the game, and Graham Bayne and John Rankin managed to set up Hastings only for the left-back to lift the ball over the bar.

But it was the best Brewster's men could conjure up in a turgid first period.

Marius Niculae, who scored against both Celtic and Kilmarnock recently, was a largely anonymous figure for Inverness, and the Romanians' showing mirrored the lacklustre performance from his team-mates.

Steve Lovell - who scored a late winner at St Mirren in Aberdeen's previous fixture - came off the bench for Aluko, with Calderwood seeking to bring some punch into the Pittodrie attack.

As a spectacle, the match was poor fare for both sets of supporters, and even though Lovell's introduction sparked the Dons briefly, the cutting edge was lacking.

Jamie Langfield, who was mainly untroubled, fumbled a Hastings drive from 30 yards around his post as the Highlanders asserted themselves for a late winner.

Just when Caley Thistle felt they had earned a vital point, struggling Tokely barged into Miller in the box for a clear cut penalty.

Nicholson calmly drilled home the spot kick to draw the only tangible highlight of a dull afternoon.

It was enough to keep the points in the Granite City, with Inverness, despite a late flurry, still to record their first win against the Dons.



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Aberdeen: Langfield, Mair, Severin, Byrne, Foster, Young (De Visscher 76), Nicholson, Clark, Aluko (Lovell 64), Miller, Jamie Smith. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Smith, Crawford.

Booked: Byrne.

Goal: Nicholson 83 pen.

Inverness CT: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, McGuire, Hastings, Cowie, Duncan, Black, Rankin (Hart 80), Bayne, Niculae. Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Wyness, Vigurs, Proctor, Gillespie, Duff.

Booked: Black, Niculae.

Att: 13,372

[DavidMc]

Falkirk v Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th January 08
New Brockville Stadium, Falkirk

Falkirk will be without suspended goalkeeper Tim Krul after his red card in their 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
But Bairns boss John Hughes will be able to call on the Dutch youngster for the rest of the season after extending his loan spell from Newcastle.

Aberdeen will definitely be without five players with Michael Hart, Darren Mackie, Jackie McNamara and Andrew Considine are all still out.

Zander Diamond could be backwhile Chris Maguire hopes to return to action.



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Falkirk squad: Olejnik, Andrews, Ross, Milne, Holden, Barr, Scobbie, Aafjes, Cregg, Thomson, Arfield, McBride, Latapy, Bradley, Moutinho, Barrett, Finnigan, Higdon.

Aberdeen squad: Langfield, Mair, Diamond, Touzani, Byrne, Foster, Aluko, Maguire, Nicholson, Severin, Clark, Young, Jamie Smith, de Visscher, Miller, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Soutar.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Falkirk 0-0 Aberdeen

Ten-man Falkirk dominated this Scottish Cup dress rehearsal but found their Aberdeen opponents hard to break down.
Despite enjoying most of the possession the Bairns struggled to create any clear-cut chances for their strikers.

The home side had Scott Arfield sent-off after 53 minutes but continued to take the game to Aberdeen.

Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield denied Michael Higdon with a fingertip save and Chris Clark could have stolen a win for the Dons late on but shot wide.

Falkirk went into the first match of a league and Scottish Cup double-header against Aberdeen aiming to end a winless run against the Dons stretching back 16 games to November 1994.

And they began the game showcasing their lauded passing game on a difficult surface.

But it was Aberdeen who fashioned the first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute.

Higdon was guilty of weakly heading a long free-kick only as far as the edge of his own area.

Stand-in goalkeeper Robert Olejnik got his body behind Lee Mair's tame left-footed volley.

Falkirk weaved pretty patterns during an opening period they dominated.

But at times they were guilty of over-elaboration as they sought a way through a resolute Aberdeen defence.

Carl Finnigan did rob Lee Mair to send a cross-cum-shot wide and Higdon hit the side netting after outmuscling Zander Diamond.

Arnau Riera then sent a shot flashing wide following a poorly-cleared corner.

Full-back Jack Ross surged forward and hit a shot which Aberdeen goalkeeper Langfield did well to keep out.

The Bairns enjoyed the lion's share of possession from defence through midfield but could not create the clear-cut chances their build-up play merited.

When they finally got in behind the Dons rearguard in the 40th minute, Higdon was flagged for offside before finding the net.

Aberdeen began the second period in a positive fashion and denied Falkirk the possession they enjoyed before the interval.

Former Falkirk striker Lee Miller was granted a chance to break the deadlock in the 49th minute but his shot from Clark's pass skidded wide.

A match that had been played in a fairly timid manner then suddenly burst to life in the 53rd minute as Arfield was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Falkirk were driven on by a sense of injustice and Arfield's red card brought out an unnecessary physical side to the encounter.

Amid a flurry of bookings, Falkirk thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Stand-in skipper Darren Barr left his defensive beat and was felled by Scott Severin.

However referee Eddie Smith ruled the offence took place inches outside the box and Tom Scobbie's swerving set-piece scraped the bar on its way over.

Aberdeen substitute Steve Lovell was then only inches away from connecting with Ricky Foster's cross.

And Riera drove just wide for 10-men Falkirk in the 70th minute.

The home side had the best chance of the match 10 minutes from time.

Barr broke brilliantly from defence and, after exchanging passes with Russell Latapy, threaded a pass through to Higdon who was clear on goal but Langfield touched his early shot over.

Aberdeen substitute Jeffrey de Visscher then had a shot parried by Olejnik and Clark drove the rebound wide.

Latapy's deflected effort then slipped wide as both sides sought a late winner in vain.



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Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Holden, Scobbie, Barr, Cregg, Arfield, Riera, Finnigan (Latapy 57), Barrett (Milne 68), Higdon (Aafjes 90). Subs Not Used: Barclay, Bradley, McBride, Mitchell.

Sent Off: Arfield (54).

Booked: Arfield.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Byrne, Diamond, Mair (De Visscher 79), Severin, Nicholson, Young (Lovell 64), Clark, Miller (Jonathan Smith 86), Jamie Smith. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Aluko.

Booked: Mair, Jamie Smith, Clark, De Visscher.

Att: 5,457

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).

Aberdeen stay in 4th place after this draw but only 4 points separate the 3 - 7 places.

[DavidMc]

Diamond looks to extend Dons contract

Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract to remain at Pittodrie.
The 23-year-old looked set to leave having turned down the club's initial offer but has accepted improved terms.

And manager Jimmy Calderwood is delighted Diamond has ended speculation surrounding his future.

"Zander's arguably been our best player this season and has the qualities to go on and take the captaincy at the club," Calderwood told the Aberdeen website.

Diamond was one of four Dons players who this week turned down new contract offers.

Plymouth bids for full-back Michael Hart and winger Chris Clark have been accepted by the club but the player's personal terms have not been agreed with the Pilgrims.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson also rejected a new Dons deal although no club has yet made an offer for the former Dunfermline player.

All three trained with their Aberdeen team-mates on Thursday.

But the news that Diamond has joined goalkeeper Jamie Langfield in staying with the club will be a boost ahead of the Scottish Cup trip to Falkirk.

Calderwood described the former Scotland under 21 international as 'the lynchpin' of his side.

"He is still very young," he added.

"But, like I've said in the past, he has a good head on his shoulders, if not a wee bit daft at times.

"But he is growing up and learning as he goes."

The Dons will now focus on the four other players whose contracts expire at the end of the current campaign.

Strikers Steve Lovell and Lee Miller and defender Richie Byrne are all out of contract at the end of the season, although goalkeeper Derek Soutar looks set to leave in the summer.

However, the Dons have confirmed that former Dundee United, Falkirk and Bristol City forward and top scorer Miller has been offered a new contract while attracting interest from other clubs.

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 3-0 Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

A mistake from Jamie Langfield helped Dundee United on their way to a second home win over Aberdeen this season.
On 50 minutes, the goalkeeper was slow to clear and his kick hit the onrushing Noel Hunt and spun into the net.

The below-par visitors won a penalty soon after but Barry Nicholson smashed his effort over the crossbar.

Barry Robson sealed the victory, firing home after good work from Craig Conway before drilling a cute free-kick under the defensive wall to make it 3-0.

The victory lifts United up into third place, level on points with Motherwell, who lost to St Mirren.

A dreadful first half was notable only for a glaring miss from Dundee United defender Garry Kenneth.

Five minutes before the interval, the centre-half rose highest to meet a Willo Flood corner but missed the target from just a few yards out.

The previous play had been extremely scrappy, with neither side able to string together any passing sequences and lone strikers Hunt and Steve Lovell cutting isolated figures.

United had created the better openings, with Danny Grainger's shot from distance deflected wide by Zander Diamond, while Mark Kerr saw Andrew Considine block his lunging effort following Robson's cross.

The home team were again the brighter side after the interval but they had to rely on a terrible blunder from Langfield to open the scoring.

The Dons keeper was embarrassed when he dithered in possession and his attempted clearance was charged down by Hunt and cannoned into the net for the Irishman's seventh goal in seven games.

United winger Conway fluffed a good headed chance and Aberdeen immediately raced up the park to win a penalty when Lovell was flattened by the clumsy Kenneth.

But, much to the dismay of the visiting fans, Nicholson blazed the spot-kick high over the crossbar.

United began to retreat and sit deep on their lead but the Dons lacked the imagination to break them down.

With 15 minutes remaining, Conway led a United counter-attack and his cut-back was fired in first-time by Robson from 12 yards.

The skipper was then upended by Nicholson and picked himself up to place a great free-kick under the jumping defensive wall and beyond Langfield.



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Dundee Utd: McLean, Dillon, Kenneth, Wilkie (Swanson 46), Grainger, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Conway (Odhiambo 86), Robson, Hunt, Swanson (Buaben 90). Subs Not Used: Zaluska, David Robertson, Milligan, Johnny Russell.

Booked: Kenneth.

Goals: Hunt 50, Robson 77, 84.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mair (McNamara 46), Diamond, Considine (Maguire 71), Byrne, Young, Nicholson, Severin, Aluko (Mackie 62), Jamie Smith, Lovell. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Duff, De Visscher, Stuart Smith.

Booked: Considine, Mackie, Young.

Att: 8,579

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen 3-1 Falkirk
Tuesday 22nd January 08
Scottish Cup
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

An impressive display saw Aberdeen win comfortably against an off-form Falkirk in a suprisingly one-sided Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie.
Jamie Smith opened the scoring with a wonderful free-kick, before Jeffrey De Visscher doubled the lead.

Smith scored a second for the Dons as the home side dominated proceedings.

Falkirk clawed a goal back when Graham Barrett scored the rebound after Jamie Langfield had parried his penalty, but it was not enough for the Bairns.


Falkirk were keen to rewrite history, not having beaten Aberdeen in any competition since 1994, with the last win at Pittodrie for the Bairns coming 50 years ago.

The visitors were first to press, with Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield fumbling the ball from Graham Barrett's early cross, which the Dons defence finally cleared.

The Dons roared back into the game and Smith opened the scoring with a glorious free-kick which he curled round the wall into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Falkirk keeper Tim Krul was called into action when Steve Lovell met Jackie MacNamara's cross, but the on-loan Dutchman was equal to the effort.

Derek Young rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort from the angle of the box after a lovely one-two with Steve Lovell as Aberdeen continued to dominate.

Lee Miller then hit the post with another driven effort, with Krul totally beaten, as the Dons turned the screw.

The home side had totally dominated the opening half, and it was no surprise when Jeffrey DeVisscher doubled the Dons lead just before the break.

Krul saved the initial shot from Lee Miller, but De Visscher was on hand to fire in the rebound, his second goal for the club.

Lovell again went close after the break following fine work on the wing from De Visscher, as Aberdeen continued to control the match, but Krul was able to save the striker's effort.

The game was as good as over when Smith scored his second of the night, tucking the ball home at the back post after Kenny Milne failed to block the ball across the box.

Falkirk were handed a lifeline from the penalty spot after the referee adjudged Zander Diamond to have handled the ball in the box.

Graham Barrett saw Langfield save his spot kick, but the striker was alert enough to follow up and lash the ball into the roof of the net.

Aberdeen were then handed a spot-kick of their own, but Severin's effort was saved by Krul and the Falkirk defence cleared the ball, with Krul injuring himself in the process.

Robert Olejnik, on for Krul, did well to save from another Smith free-kick as the home side kept up the pressure late in the game.



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Aberdeen: Langfield, McNamara (Daniel Smith 68), Diamond, Severin, Considine, Young, Nicholson, De Visscher (Jonathan Smith 90), Jamie Smith, Lovell (Maguire 78), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Soutar, Aluko.

Booked: Young.

Goals: Jamie Smith 19, De Visscher 43, Jamie Smith 55.

Falkirk: Krul (Olejnik 73), Ross, Barr, Milne, Holden, Arfield, Riera (Bradley 68), McBride, Moutinho (Cregg 45), Finnigan, Barrett.
Subs Not Used: Aafjes, Scobbie.

Booked: Krul, Holden, Finnigan.

Goals: Barrett 61.

Att: 8,547

[kenny hoggan]

Aberdeen have signed defender David Bus from Dutch side De Graafschap until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old Dutchman will go straight into the squad for Saturday's SPL match with Hearts at Pittodrie.

Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood told the club website: "Dave can play in a number of defensive positions and he is a player I know is rated highly."

The new signing added: "We will see what happens at Aberdeen. Scotland could be a lot of fun."

Calderwood is keen to strengthen his squad after losing Chris Clark and Michael Hart to the English Championship.

Aberdeen will be without injured defender Richie Byrne at the weekend, while Karim Touzani and Sone Aluko are fitness doubts.

The Dons boss has also been looking at trialist Joseph Lapira, but remains undecided, as he is yet to have had the opportunity to see the player in match action.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Aberdeen | Defender Bus makes Aberdeen stop

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Heart of Midlothian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 26th January 08
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

New Aberdeen signing Dave Bus could make his debut against Hearts after joining on loan from De Graafschap.
Lee Mair and Richard Foster are fit again, Stuart Duff is available after being cup-tied, but Richie Byrne, Karim Touzani and Sone Aluko are out injured.

Winger Neil McCann has been added to the Hearts squad for the first time since breaking his leg in August.

But Calum Elliot and Marius Zaliukas are suspended, while Andrew Driver and David Cesnauskis are injury doubts.



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Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Diamond, Considine, Mair, McNamara, Bus, Dan Smith, Foster, Duff, Nicholson, Severin, Young, Miller, Jamie Smith, De Visscher, Lovell, Mackie, Jonathan Smith, Soutar.

Hearts (from): Banks, Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Driver, Palazuelos, Stewart, Cesnauskis, Ksanavicius, Velicka, Bjornsson, Mikoliunas, Nade, Wallace, Jonsson, McCann, McGowan

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen 0-1 Heart of Midlothian

Christian Nade's goal gave Hearts a hard-earned victory over a misfiring Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The former Sheffield United player pounced on Stuart Duff's poor back-pass to lash the ball home after 55 minutes.

Nade had earlier spurned a great chance to score and Andrius Velicka was equally profligate for the visitors in front of goal.

Aberdeen struggled for fluency and Lee Miller's effort chalked off for offside was the nearest they came to scoring.

The Dons welcomed back Richard Foster for the visit of Hearts after he recovered from an Achilles injury.

Steve Lovell dropped out to accommodate the 22-year-old's return in the only change from the team who defeated Falkirk 3-1 in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday.

Nade started up front for the visitors, with Deividas Cesnauskis missing with flu.

Nade spurned a great chance to give the visitors the lead within two minutes when he dragged his shot wide of Jamie Langfield's left-hand post.

Jamie Smith responded for the hosts with a shot after 14 minutes which was saved well by Steve Banks.


Aberdeen failed to establish any rhythm at Pittodrie

Scott Severin then headed over when well placed after Jeffrey de Visscher's corner.

Hearts wasted another good chance to break the deadlock when Nade's cut-back found Andrius Velicka six yards from goal only for the striker's effort to be blocked by Jackie McNamara.

The Dons then suffered a double injury blow with Derek Young and Scott Severin being replaced by Chris Maguire and Stuart Duff.

Hearts broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.

Nade atoned for his earlier miss when he pounced on Duff's poor pass to Langfield to lash the ball home.

Aberdeen looked to have equalised when Maguire crossed for Miller to push the ball past Banks, only for assistant referee Charlie Smith to raise his flag for offside.

Foster's rasping drive with two minutes remaining looked destined for the net, until it was brilliantly clawed away by Banks.

The Dons pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser as Hearts held on for all three points.





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Aberdeen: Langfield, McNamara, Diamond, Considine, Foster, De Visscher, Severin (Duff 33), Nicholson, Young (Maguire 28), Miller, Jamie Smith (Lovell 68). Subs Not Used: Soutar, Mackie, Jonathan Smith, Bus.

Booked: Considine.

Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Karipidis, Goncalves, Jonsson, Palazuelos, Stewart, Mikoliunas (McCann 85), Nade (Ksanavicius 67), Velicka (Beniusis 75). Subs Not Used: Basso, Wallace, Ivaskevicius, Thomson.

Booked: Berra, Mikoliunas.

Goals: Nade 55.

Att: 14,000

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen to face Celtic in Scottish Cup

Scottish Cup holders Celtic will face a tough trip to Aberdeen in the quarter finals, while the other ties are subject to replays.
Following their thrilling match at Easter Road, the winner between Rangers and Hibernian will play Livingston or Partick Thistle.

Queen of the South were rewarded for their victory over Morton with a home tie against Motherwell or Dundee.

And Ross County or St Johnstone will host either St Mirren or Dundee United.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 10th February 08
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

Match report to follow......