Aberdeen

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Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson: "If you're going to win a game, it's a good way to do it.

"I didn't think there was a lot between the two sides, which is a compliment to our boys because Hearts are a very good side.

"The final third, I thought we could've been better with our decision making and our final choices. As the game went on, I thought we improved.

"We certainly showed the character and the fight that I didn't believe was here last year and certainly that was a real plus for me."

Aberdeen salvaged a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory against last season's title contenders Hearts with two late goals at a raucous Pittodrie.

Read the full match report here.

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Aberdeen could hand a debut to Chris Cadden while Kusini Yengi is several weeks away from fitness.

Recent signings Beau Reus and Laurent Mendy could make their Hearts debuts but vice-captain Stephen Kingsley is facing a lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Christian Borchgrevink (muscle) is set to miss out again while Ageu is still working his way back to fitness, and Craig Halkett (Achilles) is out long term.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stephen Robinson wants teams to fear playing at Pittodrie and says Aberdeen must become a consistent top-six club again.

The Dons kick off their Premiership campaign on Saturday night at home to last year's runners-up Hearts.

The Dons finished a hugely disappointing ninth last term and are hoping to do a lot better this time round.

"We have to make Pittodrie a place to be feared, a place that people don't enjoy coming to again, and it hasn't been often enough in the last five years," said head coach Robinson.

"A club the size that we are, we have to be a top-six football club, that is easier said than done.

"Over the last five years we haven't been in there often enough, so we have to change that."

"I have spoken about bringing stability to the club and bringing a direction that everyone is going in to the club, and I believe we are doing that.

"That starts with becoming a regular top-six club again. From there, then you can look at Europe, you can look at cups, but ultimately you need to be in the top six before you can even consider European football."

Aberdeen have brought in 12 new faces so far this summer and started the season well, emerging from the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup with four consecutive wins and only two goals conceded.

Hearts head north still looking to find their feet under new head coach Wouter Vrancken and hoping to bounce back after a chastening 6-0 aggregate defeat in their Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz.

"I think Sturm Graz are a very good side so you have to put in to context, the result," Robinson continued.

"They have a huge squad, a lot of players to pick from so that is probably my biggest problem is picking their team.

"But every manager has got different styles, different ideas, but every time you play Hearts it is a tough game, we don't expect anything different."

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Head coach Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before Aberdeen's Scottish Premiership opener at home to Hearts on Saturday evening.

Here are the main lines:

• On Kevin Nisbet being named captain: "Kevin knows the football club, knows the standards of this football club which I thought was very important with so many new players coming in."

• He adds: "With him and [vice-captain] Brad [Lyons] obviously knowing the league, I thought it was important we had that. Their leadership and the leadership group we have put together is the one that is driving the football club forward."

• But the Dons boss insists "it won't be just one person doing everything".

• New signing Chris Cadden brings a "vast amount of experience in the league", with Robinson adding: "Everybody we bring in now I believe is strengthening the squad."

• On the potential of adding to his 12 signings so far: "We have to have people go out first of all, I think that is very clear."

• Robinson confirmed striker Peter Ambrose "won't be part of what we are doing going forward".

• The Pittodrie boss says every meeting with Hearts is a "tough game", noting they have a big squad and that can make it difficult to predict how they will line up.

• He wants to make Pittodrie "a place to be feared" and on what would constitute success this season, says "top six first and foremost".

• After 15-year-old striker Andrew Fasanya became the club's youngest player, Robinson said it is important "they manage expectation" surrounding "an immense talent".

• Team news: Mats Knoester, Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kristers Tobers all miss out.

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Striker Kevin Nisbet is the new Aberdeen captain, with summer recruit Brad Lyons named vice-captain.

Scotland international Nisbet, who has netted 31 goals in 86 games for the Dons, takes the armband from long-serving skipper Graeme Shinnie, who left this summer to rejoin Inverness CT.

Nisbet, 29, has made a strong start to the new campaign, scoring six in four League Cup outings.

Midfielder Lyons is set to make his Premiership debut for Stephen Robinson's side in Saturday's opener at home to Hearts.

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• This will be Wouter Vrancken's first league game as Hearts manager. Both of Hearts' last two managers have won their first Premiership game, Neil Critchley beating St Mirren 4-0 in October 2024 and Derek McInnes beating Aberdeen 2-0 on August 2025.

• Hearts have won their opening game in four of the past five Premiership seasons (D1), last losing on matchday one in the division in 2019-20 – which was away to Aberdeen (3-2).

• This is the second successive league season Aberdeen and Hearts have met on the opening day, after the Jambos won 2-0 in 2025-26. Hearts last visited Aberdeen on matchday one in 2019-20, losing 3-2.

• Aberdeen could lose on the opening day in back-to-back league campaigns for the first time since a run of three from 2007-08 to 2009-10.

• Aberdeen have won 10 of their past 11 home league games against Hearts, with the exception a goalless draw in January 2025.

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Connor Ronan is confident his previous experience in the Scottish Premiership will help him be successful at Aberdeen.

The midfielder reunited with Stephen Robinson at the Dons this summer with a move from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids after previously spending a season on loan at St Mirren from Wolves.

And the 28-year-old thinks his experience in Scotland's top flight a few years ago will help him settle in faster at Pittodrie.

"It's massive," Ronan told Sky Sports.

"When I came up the first time, I hit the ground running a little bit and started off really well.

"Just knowing the league, knowing different stadiums, knowing what games need what, whether it's going to be a nice game of football or a game you need to grind out a little bit, having that prior experience always helps."

Robinson, who was appointed in March, has overhauled the Pittodrie squad and Ronan is upbeat for the new league campaign which kicks off with the visit of Hearts on Saturday.

"It's obviously never easy with a lot of new players coming in," he added.

"Around the changing room, everyone's been good. I think the lads who are already here have made it easy for the new players coming in, in terms of that transition.

"The manager's been really good with trying to get people minutes in different positions and look at what he wants to look at, obviously.

"Again, the transition's been pretty smooth and the cup games help a lot with that. It's a lot of players coming in, obviously, and it's very different from last year, but we're ready to get going."

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

As fans we are looking for a much improved league finish. Top six has to be the bare minimum, if we can achieve that along with a trophy it would mark a good season for me after what we endured last season.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

I think Brad Lyons will be an underrated signing. Dan Happe also looks a solid addition to the back line both offensively and defensively. However, out of who we have signed so far, Connor Ronan could yet prove to be the best.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Stephen Robinson said when appointed he'd make Aberdeen a difficult team to beat and I want him to stay true to his words. Points could mean prizes, we don't always have to play the prettiest football if it isn't going to churn out results. Sometimes we'll have to win ugly and, after last season, I'm okay with that.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

I think the breakout star could be new signing Alex Briedl, if he stays fit. Although, after the weekend, the one to watch could well be 15-year-old Andrew Fasanya, who looked very composed on his debut and was unlucky not to score.

What is your one major concern?

If I'm being picky my one concern for us remains in the forward areas. Despite the improvements to his service I feel there remains a heavy reliance on Kevin Nisbet to be the goalscorer. The search for a goal goes on for new signing Ayoub Mouloua and our other two strikers have had no pre-season action.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson hopes to have up to nine players established in his first team after a busy summer of recruitment. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Former assistant manager Tony Docherty things Kevin Nisbet could be the goalscorer Aberdeen have been crying out for.

Nisbet scored six goals in the Dons' League Cup campaign helping them finish top of Group A to progress to the last 16 where they will face fellow Premiership side Dundee.

Last season the Dons finished ninth in the top flight and managed to secure their safety after a tricky season during which they scored 40 goals. Only St Mirren, who finished second bottom, scored fewer, while relegated Livingston also finished on 40 goals for the campaign.

But from what Docherty has seen from new manager Stephen Robinson over the summer, this upcoming season could be a lot more positive.

When asked if Nisbet could be the goalscorer Aberdeen were missing last season, Docherty told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "Yeah, I think so.

"And I think Robbo's signed well. I was involved for a short period at Aberdeen and the recruitment was really poor.

"I think one thing they've identified is there's a lot of players that have gone out the way that needed to go out for Aberdeen to progress and I think the ones that he's brought in, Tony Yogane from Dundee who had a brilliant season, I really like the young boy Lewis Smith that came from Livingston, that'll be good support for Nisbet.

"I think it's 12 in total that Stephen Robinson's brought in and I think they're all really, really good signings. I think they're probably the ones that have been at the forefront in terms of recruitment this summer period.

"I speak to some of the boys up there, there's a really good feel about the place. Sometimes it's the teams that are not in Europe that go on to have a successful season, the ones that have got the momentum. Hearts did it last year, started the League Cup campaign with real momentum and carried that on. You've seen Aberdeen have started so they could be the ones that maybe carry on that momentum and in Kevin Nisbet they've definitely got a goal scorer at the top end of the pitch."

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Manager Stephen Robinson was delighted as Aberdeen sailed into the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup, but stressed his side are a work in progress as several new signings settle in.

A 3-0 victory over Kelty Hearts on Saturday ensured the Dons took maximum points from the group stage and are seeded in the second-round draw.

"These games are difficult at this stage of the season, but we've won four out of four," said Robinson.

"We're not going to get too carried away. We've done some really good bits. There are things still to improve on, we know that. But we're creating loads of chances and producing some really good play to get into those positions.

"At Aberdeen, you've got to win every game, and it's important that you set out to do that. It's important that the new players that come in here realise that, so that was useful as well.

"These games give you ideas. You see in a competitive game what's right and what's wrong and where you can keep improving. I know what needs to keep improving. It's a work in progress."

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Aberdeen have received a boost in their pursuit of Jadel Katongo after Kayerispor agreed to terminate the 21-year-old defender's contract by mutual consent. Daily Record, external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson intends to name his captain for the season ahead of their Premiership opener with Hearts, saying he has "four or five" options.

Robinson has rotated the responsibility so far, with Kevin Nisbet, Brad Lyons and Dan Happe all being handed the skipper's armband during their three Premier Sports Cup victories.

That trend looks set to continue as they complete their Group A fixtures at home to Kelty Hearts on Saturday.

"We will change it again," said Robinson. "We have got four or five boys I believe lead the football club, lead the dressing room, lead the standards and that is the way we want it.

"Obviously somebody will be named for the Hearts game to lead the team and that will stay like that for the season.

"But the boys are all on the understanding that this is somebody that puts the armband on but we have got a leadership group that is going to run the football club, so to speak.

"When the manager makes all the rules, when your mum and dad make the rules you want to break them don't you, so it is important they adhere to what they think the standards are and what we believe the standards are for being successful at this club."

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Nicolas Milanovic says a return to Western Sydney Wanderers from Aberdeen "just felt right" after a disappointing season with the Scottish Premiership club.

The 24-year-old winger has been sold back to the A-League outfit, for whom he won the Johnny Warren Medal - awarded to the league's player of the year - two seasons ago.

"This club has always meant a lot to me and I'm incredibly proud to be back representing Western Sydney," Milanovic told the club website.

"The opportunity to play overseas challenged me in a lot of ways and helped me grow as a player, and as a person. I'll bring those experiences back with me."

Milanovic played 24 times for Aberdeen without scoring, only 10 of them starts.

But, during his absence, Western Sydney dropped from fourth in the league two seasons ago to bottom of the 12 teams last term and he is confident of a resurgence on his return.

"I know what this club is building and I want to be part of it," he said. "We have a real talented group, a passionate supporter base and a real opportunity to achieve something special together."

Western Sydney, who have Scotland cap Ryan Fraser on the other wing, say they are welcoming back a "hometown hero" and "one of Australian football's most exciting attacking talents" who can help them challenge for trophies.

Head coach Ufuk Talay added: "Nic's an exciting player who brings energy, power and quality in the final third.

"He's someone who can create and score goals and he is a fantastic addition to the squad we are building.

"His experience overseas will help him, but for me it's about making sure he enjoys his football again. When Nic is playing with confidence and freedom, he's one of the best players in the competition."