Aberdeen

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AEK Athens head coach Marko Nikolic has revealed James Penrice's attacking qualities mean the former Hearts left-back will return to their starting line-up against Aberdeen on Thursday.

Penrice was an unused substitute as AEK were knocked off the top of the Greek Super League by PAOK after a 2-0 home defeat by their rivals on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Scot has made seven starts and four substitute appearances since his summer move, but Nikolic said: "He had an amazing season last season and has different qualities than the other players we have in the same position.

"It is very important for me, this diversity, as a coach and that's the answer to why he hasn't played all the games this season.

"As a coach, it is good to have two different players in this position and, when I need a more defensive player, I have one playing, and need more offensive, then James is playing.

"He was the best at assists in the Scottish league, he has an amazing left foot, he is fast, he has a very good personality.

"Of course, he needs time to adapt because British and Greek football are completely different, but I believe he has adapted and I expect the best from him is still to come. He will be in the starting line-up."

Penrice, meanwhile, says a hostile environment awaits Aberdeen at the Agia Sophia Stadium but has told his team-mates the Dons will be no pushover despite a disappointing start to the season.

"I've said numerous times not to disrespect or anything because the league position doesn't tell you everything," Penrice said.

"They are a team who are maybe not the best at the minute but they more than have the quality to come here and hurt us so we have to be wary of that. I've tried to give everyone the best insight possible.

"There will be a very lively atmosphere. That shocked me when I first came out, just how loud the ground is.

"It's a ground that is kicking the ball every time it's on the pitch and they want to score the goal themselves. The crowd are very passionate and this is a massive club so it's going to be lively."

Manager Jimmy Thelin is relishing the Conference League test against AEK Athens on Thursday and says Aberdeen must strive to be in European football every year to help "grow" the club.

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• Aberdeen have won two games in a row after ending an eight-game run without a victory.

• AEK Athens have lost just twice in 16 games this season, but two of those have come in their past three outings.

• Sunday's 2-0 defeat by PAOK ended AEK's run of seven consecutive home wins this season.

• Scottish left-backs James Penrice (AEK) and Greg Taylor (PAOK) were both unused substitutes for Sunday's match in the Greek Super League.

• Aberdeen have yet to beat a Greek side in three matches, losing 3-2 at home and drawing 2-2 away to PAOK in the Conference League group stage two seasons ago and losing 3-0 in Athens to Panathinaikos in the Uefa Cup group stage in 2007.

• AEK have only lost once in 10 games against Scottish sides in European competition, winning seven, the latest being a 3-2 victory on aggregate over Celtic in Champions League qualifying in 2018.

• Hibernian are the only Scottish side to have beaten AEK, but the Greeks progressed in the Uefa Cup in 2001 4-3 on aggregate after extra time despite a 3-2 loss at Easter Road.

• Dundee United are the only Scottish team to avoid defeat by AEK in Athens, but their 1-1 Europa League play-off draw in 2010 was to no avail, coming after a 1-0 first-leg loss at Tannadice.

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Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin is looking forward to coming up against "best pal" James Penrice but insists, "when the game starts, it's about winning".

Devlin's former Livingston team-mate Penrice joined AEK Athens from Hearts in July.

"I'm delighted he got the kind of move he did to a club like [AEK]," Devlin, 32, said.

"He's probably one of my best pals in football, played with him for three years. It'll be good to come up against him. When the game starts, it's about winning.

"It won't be a new thing. We played against each other the last couple of years.

"We're going in with two wins. The boys are going in with a wee bit more confidence. We're kind of starting to find the rhythm that we wanted to, probably a few weeks later than we wanted to. We'll be more than ready when the game comes."

And Penrice, 26, commented: "It's been very different, it's been very up and down but I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's been a massive life experience, a massive change for me. I expected it to be hard. It's taken me a bit of time to adjust.

"[Aberdeen have] signed a lot of players in the summer. There's a big turnaround. I've tried to give [AEK] the best insight as possible. We will be prepared for the game."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has spoken to the media in Athens before Thursday's Conference League match against AEK. Here's a flavour of what he had to say...

• Thelin is impressed by his AEK Athens counterpart, Marko Nikolic, and the Greek side's "good ideas and good attacking formation".

• The Pittodrie manager believes Aberdeen are "ready" for their first away match in this season's Conference League.

• Aberdeen need "a really strong performance and we need points", says Thelin.

• With the Dons having improved domestically but still looking for their first Conference League points, the manager says it's "important for us to be strong in all competitions".

• The Swede says Aberdeen's objective is "to get through" to the next phase of the tournament.

• With football being "a game of passion and emotions", Thelin urges his players to "manage the emotions".

• Defenders Emmanuel Gyamfi and Sivert Heltne Nilsen are unavailable for the Dons.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Marco Lazetic was entitled to take a bow in front of an ecstatic away end in Paisley as Aberdeen smashed their Renfrewshire hoodoo with a goal of the season contender from their young Serb.

On a weekend of superb goals in the Premiership, Lazetic's moment, deep into second-half stoppage time, secured a huge three points for the Dons as they made it back-to-back league wins for just a third time this calendar year.

It was also successive clean sheets, which will please manager Jimmy Thelin.

Not as much Lazetic enjoyed his first goal for the club. With that moment of skill, the former AC Milan striker showed what he is capable of and what he could bring to this Aberdeen side this season.

It would be no surprise to see him start against Greek title challengers AEK Athens in Aberdeen's second Conference League fixture on Thursday having done so against Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday one.

Thelin will be determined that his side produce a similar performance to the one they came up with against the Ukrainians at Pittodrie when they go to the Greek capital, but it is a huge challenge.

What is important is that whatever happens in Greece, they cannot let it block any momentum gained from these two wins with a visit from Hibernian to come on Sunday where the target is a third league victory on the bounce for the first time in almost a year.

Calum Wright
Fan writer

Whatever it is, I believe Marko Lazetic has got it.

The Serb's late winner at St Mirren was a glimpse of why AC Milan forked out a decent fee for him as a teenager.

He impressed against Shakhtar, Dundee and most recently in Paisley, showing a fantastic willingness to work and press from the front, combined with some lovely touches.

But his goal on Saturday - which Dimitar Berbatov would have been proud of - was nothing short of brilliant.

To chase down what could have been a lost cause and keep the ball alive, while displaying an excellent piece of skill, before finishing emphatically from such a tight angle was exactly what the Dons needed to continue to build after a poor start to the season.

And aged just 21, it's certainly a promising sign at the start of Lazetic's career in the north east which will hopefully continue on an upward trajectory in sync with our season.

Calum Wright can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin wants the club to get used to playing in Europe and dealing with the demands of more games, travel and recovery. (Record), external

Junior Hoilett urges Hibernian to build on Saturday's win over Livingston by recording a positive result at Aberdeen on Sunday and says "it will take a professional performance". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen dramatically earned back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories to move off the bottom of the table as substitute Marko Lazetic's injury-time winner stunned St Mirren.

And he makes my team of the week.

The former AC Milan and Red Star striker only came on for the last half hour but in a weekend of great goals, he merits his place for what was for me the best strike of the weekend.

The skill to create the opportunity was sublime and the finish from such a narrow angle was incredible. The fact it was a stoppage-time winner from the Serb makes it all the more significant.

The Sportscene team discuss Aberdeen's late win over St Mirren and whether it could be a turning point in the Dons' season.

Aberdeen's Marko Lazetic has revealed how he and Ante Palaversa plotted to link up for a goal – and it happened to sink St Mirren as the Dons moved off the bottom. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Watch the highlights as Aberdeen overcome 10-man St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership

We asked for your thoughts after Aberdeen snatched a late victory over St Mirren.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Ian: Great result against a team that has caused us a lot of problems the last few seasons. The team seem to all be gelling together.

Donald: A great three points for the Dons, and thoroughly deserved too. Should've been more comfortable win with several very decent chances created throughout the match. The warning signs are still there though defensively, definitely got a bit fortunate with the disallowed goal but Dimitar Mitov was definitely impeded in the build up! The Dons are definitely on the up, some of the passing play yesterday was lovely to watch and creating a lot of chances against a tough and consistent Premierahip side. I fully understand Jimmy Thelin's pride in his team's performance yesterday. Must keep the intensity levels up!

Graham: Disappointed in our inability to be better organised to capitalise on our one man advantage. Not the best use of our substitutions. Took a wonder goal to get the 3 points.

Arch: Very good result. Good to see them keep going right up to the last second, it would have been so tempting to settle for a draw after such a long time without a win in Paisley. A shame they needed St Mirren to be down to 10 men to do it. Thursday will tell us how good this team really is.

Andy: I wouldn't get carried away although it was a fantastic winning goal. The quote from Stephen Roninson "the gap in the finances of the two clubs is huge and it didn't look like that today" is bang on. Keep very humble.

Dee: Well deserved, and despite some weird decisions, both ways, the referee got the sending off and the infringement on Mitov correct. Dons definitely on the right track but a long way to go. Marko Lazetic (what a finish) looks like a real prospect and Armstrong has made a very positive impact. Shame on the so called supporters who called for the managers sacking at Tannadice.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was delighted with the late winner in Paisley that lifts his side off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

"I am proud of the team today," he told BBC Scotland.

"We started the game really well and then St Mirren did well to create some corners and throw-ins around the box, which they are good at.

"So I am proud at the way we managed different areas of the game and they were resilient to the end and the amount of shots we had, we just have to be a little better when we get the chances.

"Sometimes you need someone to step up and Marko's goal was incredibly good - it was magnificent.

"The team spirit, a clean sheet and then the goal at the end.

"Two wins in a row, two clean sheets, but we have to stay humble and keep pushing to get better."

What a finish!

St Mirren's Alex Gogic thought he had given the hosts the lead but had his headed goal ruled out for offside, home full-back Jayden Richardson was sent off against his former club, Marko Lazetic scored in stoppage time for the Dons and Jimmy Thelin's side are off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Read Martin Dowden's match report.

Give us your thoughts.

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St Mirren pair Marcus Fraser and Mark O'Hara are back in contention but Richard King and goalkeeper Shamal George are doubtful due to illness.

Aberdeen have some unnamed fitness concerns on top of long-term absentee Kristers Tobers (knee).

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Aberdeen defender Jack Milne says he's "never looked back" since swapping midfield for centre-back.

A midfielder by trade, the 23-year-old has been playing as a centre-back in a back three for the Dons.

"I think those years are behind me," Milne said when asked if he had any desire to swap back to the middle of the pitch.

"I love defending. I think ever since I changed to centre-back, I've never looked back really.

"I don't mind covering the odd position here and there but I think centre-back is the main one."

After a dismal start to the season Aberdeen picked up their first victory before the international break in a 4-0 win over Dundee.

If they want to pick up another three points this weekend they'll have to beat St Mirren in Paisley, a feat they haven't achieved since 2018.

"We've got to win the fight first and then show our quality after that," Milne added.

"But we know they're a good team, a good manager and they've got a great record at home, not just against us, but against a lot of teams.

"We just want to go there and hopefully get three points.

"I think it is about just matching them in terms of winning the duels and being aggressive and we know they're good at that but I think in football nowadays, you've got to do that side of the game.

"And then the quality comes through after that and we'll back ourselves to go and beat them tomorrow."

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Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to visit St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• The Aberdeen manager insists the "spirit has always been high" among the squad despite several "setbacks and disappointments" so far this season.

• Thelin feels St Mirren are "a solid team, clear in what they're doing" but also believes Aberdeen are ready to "make it a really good game" on Saturday.

• Despite "tough times", Thelin stresses his players haven't "panicked".

• The Swede says his side will do "everything they can" to change the Dons' poor record away to St Mirren.

• Thelin stresses he has no plan to rest players ahead of their European game next midweek.

• On links with the Sweden national job, the Dons boss says that while "it's an honour to be mentioned", he is "really happy" in the north east and stresses "my focus is 100% here".

• On Jack Milne's new deal, Thelin says the defender's development is "going in the right direction".

• No fresh injury concerns, albeit some small issues which they will wait until Saturday to assess.