Milne 'never looked back' after defensive switchpublished at 17:59 BST 17 October 2025
17:59 BST 17 October 2025
Image source, SNS
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."
Thelin on Sweden job, 'high spirits' & 'solid' St Mirrenpublished at 16:54 BST 17 October 2025
16:54 BST 17 October 2025
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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.
St Mirren v Aberdeen: Pick of the statspublished at 11:09 BST 17 October 2025
11:09 BST 17 October 2025
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St Mirren have won five of their last six league meetings with Aberdeen (L1), as many as their previous 31 beforehand (W5 D14 L12).
Aberdeen are winless in their last 10 league visits to St Mirren (D3 L7) since a 2-1 victory in December 2018. They have lost six of their seven trips since the start of 2021-22 (D1).
St Mirren are unbeaten in eight home league games (W4 D4), and have kept three clean sheets in their last five on home soil – as many as their previous 23 beforehand.
Having not scored in any of their opening six Scottish Premiership games of the season, Aberdeen beat Dundee 4-0 last time out. It was the first time a side ended a 5+ game scoreless streak by scoring four in the competition since St Mirren beat Kilmarnock 4-1 in April 2015 (5 games without a goal before).
Aberdeen have had 21 direct attacks in the Scottish Premiership this season – at least six more than any other side.
Karlsson backed to salvage Serie A dreampublished at 08:55 BST 17 October 2025
08:55 BST 17 October 2025
A good season on loan at Aberdeen for Jesper Karlsson can revive his career at Bologna, reckons the Swedish forward's former coach Pascal Jansen. (Daily Record), external
Aberdeen forward Nicolas Milanovic has won the Harry Kewell Medal as the best Under 23s player in Australia. (The Herald), external
'On the list for Sweden, but others ahead of Thelin'published at 15:13 BST 16 October 2025
15:13 BST 16 October 2025
Robbie Boyle BBC Scotland
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There are likely "four or five candidates" in front of Jimmy Thelin as Sweden search for a new head coach, according to journalist Joel Besseling.
However, the Gothenburg Post writer believes the Aberdeen manager would be more interested in the role now than he was when linked with it two years ago.
Sweden are seeking a replacement for Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was sacked following a poor start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
But Besseling, who reported on Thelin during his time in charge at Elfsborg, does not think he would be the right man for the job at the moment.
"If I can speculate, I would say that maybe if the federation is calling him about this job, I think he's more interested now than he was two years ago," he told BBC Scotland. "At that time, there were several clubs abroad that wanted him.
"But now he knows it's been a tough period for him at Aberdeen, so maybe this is his way out.
"Right now though it is just about getting to the World Cup. If they were about to hand out a four-year contract to someone, he would be higher up."
Sweden must win their remaining games away to Switzerland and home to Slovenia to have any chance of finishing second in Group B. However, they are well placed to take one of the four play-off places reserved for Nations League group winners.
Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been linked with the post, as has Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"I'm sure he's on the list," Besseling said of Thelin, who led Aberdeen to Scottish Cup glory last term. "It is natural his name comes up again.
"When they were looking for a manager back then, Jimmy was one of a number they spoke to because he'd just had a successful season at Elfsborg but he wanted to continue in club football.
"It has now been a tough run since November for him so I am not sure the federation will choose him at this point. There's maybe four or five candidates ahead of him."
Thelin linked with Sweden manager post - gossippublished at 07:59 BST 16 October 2025
07:59 BST 16 October 2025
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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is on the list of possible replacements for the sacked Jon Dahl Tomasson as the new head coach of the Swedish men's national football team, having been in contention before the Dane's appointment. (SVT - in Swedish), external
Tougher challenges on the horizon for Aberdeenpublished at 18:12 BST 15 October 2025
18:12 BST 15 October 2025
Liam McLeod BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
On Saturday 23 November 2024, Aberdeen headed to Paisley as Storm Bert hit the country.
Volunteers swept the snow from the pitch, everyone from the match day stewards to St Mirren club staff, it was all hands to the pump to get the game on.
At the time, Aberdeen had won 10 of their 11 opening league matches with the only blemish being a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park, a game they had trailed 2-0 in. They were level points with Brendan Rodgers' side at the top of the table.
The headlines and speculation being enjoyed by Hearts this year were being afforded to the Dons this time last season.
The arrival of that storm ultimately coincided with the collapse in Aberdeen's form as they lost a Premiership match for the first time under Jimmy Thelin.
They have won just six since.
It may have been a surprise to some at the time, but Dons teams have struggled in that nook of Renfrewshire for a while now as they prepare to resume their league season there on Saturday.
It is almost seven years since they won a league game there, Sam Cosgrove was the last Aberdeen player to score a winning goal for them in a top flight encounter in Paisley when he did so in December 2018.
Since then, 11 league visits and not a single victory.
St Mirren moved into their current stadium in 2008 and Aberdeen have only tasted victory six times there out of their previous 26 trips there.
Last time out, a 4-0 home hammering of Dundee eased manager Thelin's stress levels but there are tougher challenges on the horizon, starting at one of their least favourite venues and against a Saints' team that seems to have their number and who haven't lost at home since the start of March.
Thelin on duo's deals - gossippublished at 09:07 BST 15 October 2025
09:07 BST 15 October 2025
Boss Jimmy Thelin has revealed contract talks with Graeme Shinnie and Dante Polvara will only open when Aberdeen are firmly back on track. (Press & Journal)
Icon Willie Miller says Aberdeen have to prove they can match St Mirren's desire to banish their long winless run in Paisley and continue their revival. (Press & Journal)
Two former Dons midfielders endorsed Karlsson move - gossippublished at 07:52 BST 14 October 2025
07:52 BST 14 October 2025
Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson reveals he spoke to both Lewis Ferguson and Ylber Ramadani before agreeing to join Aberdeen on loan and reunite with Jimmy Thelin. (Daily Record), external
Devlin 'wasn't prepared for Pittodrie pressure'published at 17:25 BST 13 October 2025
17:25 BST 13 October 2025
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When Nicky Devlin arrived at Aberdeen over two years ago, he had a fair bit of football behind him.
Despite being in the game long over 10 years, nothing could've prepared him for pulling on the red jersey.
The Scotland defender has now done that 102 times after hitting the century at Motherwell last month.
The high of his two-year spell so far no doubt was the Scottish Cup win. The release of a 35-year wait for such win for not just a club but a city epitomised the pressure players at Pittodrie face.
"The truth is that I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for how big and how demanding this club is until you live in the middle of it," the 31-year-old told club media.
"Until you probably move up here and fully experience that and understand what happens around the city with regard to the club on a day-to-day basis, you don't get the full picture.
"For example, it's very different from other places in the way that everyone that follows football in Aberdeen is very much an Aberdeen supporter.
"I've never been at a club where it's been like that, where everybody supports that club. I've been at sides where there might be five or six clubs nearby.
"The fact that it's a kind of one club city, it obviously makes it a lot more intense.
"I don't think you can ever really understand just what that's going to be like until you're actually here."
Hearts' squad market value has risen by £1.75m in the past year, while Aberdeen's has dropped by £0.95m. (Transfermarkt), external
Scotland have been handed a bad omen for the World Cup qualifier against Greece after controversial Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, who has already been in charge of dismal European nights for Celtic and Aberdeen this season, was appointed. (The Herald), external
Dons finally show 'real signs of life' - now acid tests awaitpublished at 11:39 BST 8 October 2025
11:39 BST 8 October 2025
Liam McLeod BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Maybe, just maybe, Jimmy Thelin can turn the tanker round.
No goals in 549 minutes and then five come along in the space of 115.
A first Premiership goal was followed by a convincing maiden Premiership win of the season and clean sheet against Dundee, hot on the heels of a spirited performance against Shakhtar Donetsk.
There are real signs of life that simply weren't there a fortnight ago.
The eye-catching displays of Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong are certainly proof of that with the switch in system also paying dividends. Jack Milne also deserves praise for the way he has played over the last two matches.
However, this is just a first league win since April against a disjointed looking Dundee. It is a baby step towards where the club not only wants to be but where it has to be.
They have a few acid tests to come after the pause for the international break, which has probably come at a bad time for Thelin with momentum key.
Trips to St Mirren and AEK Athens await before Hibernian go to Pittodrie with a visit to Kilmarnock after that. We will know after that quartet of games if the Dons have indeed turned the corner.
The good news for them is, despite remaining bottom of the pile, they are only six points off third and positive results in their next three league games will hoist them up the ladder.
For now, Thelin can take a breath knowing the pressure on him and his position at the club has been eased slightly as a result of their thrashing of Steven Pressley's team.
Young defender Lobban signs new dealpublished at 15:36 BST 7 October 2025
15:36 BST 7 October 2025
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Dylan Lobban can become "a key player for Aberdeen in the years to come", says manager Jimmy Thelin, after the 20-year-old defender signed a new deal.
Academy graduate Lobban is part of the club's Conference League squad this season and has captained the development side, which last week won the Aberdeenshire Cup for the first time since 2003.
Lobban, who was the Dons' development player of the year last term, has spent time on loan at Formartine United, Forfar Athletic and Cove Rangers since signing his first professional contract in 2021.
"He continues to impress in training, learning from some of the more experienced players in the first team squad, and we look forward to working with Dylan on his continued development," added Thelin.
How Karlsson & Armstrong inspired Dons to sparklepublished at 11:56 BST 7 October 2025
11:56 BST 7 October 2025
Calum Wright Fan writer
Media caption,
Highlights: Aberdeen 4-0 Dundee
Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong's class shone through as Aberdeen demolished Dundee to finally secure a league win.
When the pair arrived at Pittodrie at the beginning of September we all thought they'd come in and improve the side massively.
The weekend's victory was clear evidence of that being the case, with hopefully plenty more performances like that to come.
Aside from the Swedish loanee's brace – the second of which displayed incredible footwork and composure – his performance was outstanding.
So much of what was good about the Dons' play went through Karlsson as he found the half spaces and took the game to the visitors.
Armstrong showed drive from midfield that we had seldom seen prior to Jimmy Thelin's change in formation.
The former Southampton man consistently ran at – and through – Dundee, displaying a sense of urgency that's been lacking.
If the two can perform like they did on Sunday consistently and the rest of the team continue their improvement, the tide should turn for Aberdeen and hopefully we'll start to climb the table.
'Two more interviews after Pfannenstiel talks' - gossippublished at 08:21 BST 7 October 2025
08:21 BST 7 October 2025
Lutz Pfannenstiel, who recently left St Louis City and is also wanted by Borussia Monchengladbach, leads Aberdeen's three-man director of football shortlist after speaking with the club over the weekend, but two other candidates will be interviewed before a decision is made. (Daily Record), external
Aberdeen trio make Premiership TOTWpublished at 14:17 BST 6 October 2025
14:17 BST 6 October 2025
Jonathan Sutherland Sportscene presenter
Aberdeen finally picked up their first Premiership victory of the season with a comfortable win over Dundee, they've got three players in my team of the week.
Emmanuel Gyamfi came through the youth ranks at Schalke and looks like he has plenty of potential. Gets forward and reaped the rewards with a goal against Dundee.
Jesper Karlsson is one of the most exciting signings of the summer in the Scottish game, albeit a loan move from Bologna. The Swedish international joined the Italian club for a reported £10million from AZ Alkmaar and his undoubted class was on display as the Dons dam burst in the 4-0 annihilation of Dundee. His second was a sublime example of solo virtuosity, bamboozling a posse of Dundee defenders before firing into the top corner.
Stuart Armstrong has always had class in abundance and showed that against Dundee. His assist for Gyamfi's goal was football perfection.
'Aberdeen look like a real team again'published at 09:45 BST 6 October 2025
09:45 BST 6 October 2025
We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 4-0 win against Dundee, which saw the Dons end their Scottish Premiership goal drought and secure their first league win of the season.
Here's what some of you said:
Graeme: Green shoots appeared on Thursday in the second half, picked that up and then some in the first half. Tired in the second but to be expected. Need to maintain this level and energy, now they've show what they really can do.
Ross: The confidence has begun to flow and, all of a sudden, Aberdeen look like a real team again. The players seem to be learning how each other play. The passing and interplay was marvellous at times and it was matched by the grit and determination. Not sure what happened to Dundee, but that will surely give us the boost we've been looking for.
Billy: I knew the Shakhtar Donetsk game had given the team belief. Jimmy Thelin is now playing a different system and as it looked today, he has found a system that is using the players we have and helping them play to each individual players' strengths. I could pick out six or seven players who were outstanding. The whole team just clicked and having a player like Jesper Karlsson, who can make something happen from nothing, will make a difference and help us climb up the league table in the next few months. I can't fault any of the players today, they mirrored the cutting edge we had this time last year, but I'd like to see our strikers on the score sheet from now on.
Mark: The effort on Thursday has clearly given the team much more belief. It's great to see plenty of goals and that each scorer was a new signing, which will hopefully given them more confidence now. It's a big step in the right direction and hopefully the team can sustain this level of performance. Onwards and upwards.
Marco: Really good performance. The team looked like they cared and were working hard on pressing from the front. It helped that Jimmy Thelin changed the formation, which helped to not expose the defence and allow more width in the attacking areas. I was hopeful Thelin would get it right, and on the last few showings, we're getting there.
Zander: I thought Aberdeen grew into the game after the penalty. We just need to take the confidence from this game into a tough a day at St Mirren in a few weeks.
Steve: What a difference from changing the 4-2-3-1 system. I know we've been calling for him to be sacked, but Thelin can now see how Aberdeen can be formidable in the future. It was really pleasing to see the whole team having a smile on their faces once again.
Keith: Superb display. Some would say a stellar execution of the manager's plan, it could easily have been eight or nine. I hope this is a sign of life in our season and we go on a run now to climb the table.
Dave: Feels like the international break has come at the absolute wrong time. Could do with another game coming up quickly for the Dons. I had been saying as soon as we get a goal, I think the flood gates will open and that's absolutely what happened today. Great to see that all the goals and assists came from new signings as well, very promising signs after today. Feels like our season kicked off this week.
Aberdeen 4-0 Dundee: Have your saypublished at 17:38 BST 5 October 2025
17:38 BST 5 October 2025
A Jesper Karlsson-inspired Aberdeen ended their Scottish Premiership goal drought and romped to their first win of the Scottish Premiership season by putting four past Dundee at Pittodrie.