Last gasp O’Halloran magic seals crucial win for Morton
Greenock Morton 2-1 Queen’s Park Adeloye 43’ O’Halloran 90+2’ | Connolly 45’ Queen’s Park made the trip to Cappielow Park to face Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship. Euan Murray was subbed off after 31 minutes due to injury, replaced by 19-year-old Rocco Friel, on loan from Hearts B. The youngster has scored 1 goal this season against league leaders St Johnstone in the 4-3 loss at McDiarmid Park. Morton opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime. Calum Ferrie brought down Tomi Adeloye in the box, who dispatched the resultant penalty in the bottom right corner. The Spiders were quick to respond, and Aidan Connolly equalised moments later with a shot from the edge of the box. Billy Davies’ side won the game in injury time. A cross from Nathan Shaw was met by Michael O’Halloran, who converted with an outstanding overhead kick. The game finished 2-1 at Cappielow Park. Both sides return to Challenge Cup action on Tuesday, with Morton visiting Stirling Albion, and Queens hosting Clyde. Greenock Morton: Storer (8), Comrie (7), Moore (6), Longridge (7), Ballantyne (7), Gillespie (6), MacPherson (7), Moffat (8), Robertson (7), Garity (8), Adeloye (8). Subs: Blues (4), Lyall (4), O’Halloran (7), Shaw (6) Queen’s Park: Ferrie (5), Pignatiello (4), Murray (2), Shiels (5), Fieldson (4), Longridge (4), MacGregor (6), Connolly (6), Savoury (5), McDonnell (5), Drozd (5) Subs: Friel (5), Waugh (3), Sowa (2), Scott (2)
Jimmy Thelin believes last night was the ‘maybe our best performance this season’ following a 3-3 draw with St Mirren
Jimmy Thelin fully believes that the draw at home to the Buddies was their best performance of the season so far. The dons drew 3-3 at Pittodrie yesterday evening despite being 3-2 up last on, Richard King suffered a big blow to take one point back down to Paisley. St Mirren had taken the lead after 55 minutes after a lengthy VAR check in which lead to a penalty where Marcus Fraser dispatched. A very high-scoring fixture as both sides shared the points. Aberdeen have lately been praised for their defensive work but it is safe to say, their defensive work wasn’t at their best last night, conceding three to Stephen Robinson’s men however have also had issues in the scoring side which is one positive to take. Ahead of Dundee on Saturday, Jimmy said: “Of course, after a game it’s a lot of emotions and you play maybe our best performance so far this season. “You score three goals, you are one down and you come back and then 2-2, and then you score another one, and then you lose a goal in the last second of the game – of course, it’s tough. “But it’s another game on Saturday and I think the team performed really well the whole game better on what we talked about before this game – the creativity and the goals we scored, the chances we created in both halves. “Sometimes this is football. Of course, you want to win and losing a goal in the last second of the game is tough. “But the players performed really well today.” Jimmy was in full praise in the attacking side by the Paisley outfit. A very last minute goal by the Buddies sealed a point for the struggling St Mirren side which will only boost confidence. Thelin said: “To be fair to St Mirren, they did well in the situation they created in the end and take the opportunity. “Of course we can learn and do something better, how we come closer to the opponents in the last minute of the game and these kind of things. “So it was disappointing, the result – but the performance was good. You probably should have been goals up at half-time again. “We have another game on Saturday and I think the team and the players are growing. So the result today and when the goal comes, there can be a lot of emotions on that one. “But we need to stay focused that we actually did a good performance. “I know football is always about winning, but our last period now has been good in results and also now the performance was really good. “So we have to focus on the right things and recover again and take the next challenge on Saturday.” Jimmy Thelin later spoke on the referee and VAR as roughly nine minutes were added following lengthy stoppages. Jimmy said: “The referees are the referees and we focus on other things.” He added: “It’s a lot of minutes (at the end), especially when you have a lot of… I think it was 10 or 11 minutes, something. “And then you play so many games, it’s a lot of extra minutes. “But that’s the rules and we have to follow the rules and then we have to adapt and grow.” Aberdeen decided to see the game out and make defensive changes but Gavin Molloy who was only just on was soon forced off with an issue leaving Aberdeen with ten men. The dons boss stated: “Let’s see. “That’s one of the most important things now. But this just happened so we need to assess him and then maybe we’ll know tomorrow. “I hope everything is fine.”
Crystal Palace star man on a potential move to Italy
Jean-Philippe Mateta has made his feeling known as the striker is keen on making a switch to Serie-A. Mateta could be on his way out this winter as AC Milan are set to be interested in the Palace man. The FA Cup and Community Shield winner is hoping in making the French world cup team as he eyes up the move abroad to increase those chances. Mateta’s deal in London expires in 2027 but hasn’t penned a new deal with the Selhurst Park side. Mateta has a high chance of being called up to the France national side after scoring on two occasions in three. AC Milan sit at the top of the Italian division and look to add to their attacking options with Mateta being listed. Mateta’s most recent goal for Palace came just five days ago in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Mateta has nine so far this campaign for the London side which includes a hat-trick against AFC Bournemouth in October in a three all draw. The striker is the top goal scorer at Selhurst Park sitting on 9 with Sarr just one goal behind the forward. Mateta has featured in all games this season for Palace (22) with the French International starting 21 of those fixtures. If Mateta is to leave, they may be done with a second blow as key player, Guehi could also be set to depart with his contract set to run out this summer. The English International was heavily linked with a switch to Liverpool last window but fell through in the final few hours of the window. Just like Mateta, Guehi has also featured in every game so far, netting once providing three assists along the way. If both Mateta and Guehi are to exit, this will show to be costly and difficult to replace especially with Guehi possibly leaving on a free.
Arsenal injury update ahead of Wednesday
Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz: “Kai Havertz is still weeks away.”“We are all desperate to have him. I mean it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality. I see him suffer, being outside.” His playing record, he’s phenomenal, he’s been always available and I can’t wait to have him back around the team playing now because I think it’s going to be a massive push for the team.” The German International has been out since picking up a knee injury against Manchester United back in August.The Spaniard also gave an update on Brazilian defender Gabriel: “Gabriel Magalhães is doing very well, but it will take weeks to see him back”. The 27-year-old picked up a muscular injury in a Friendly against Senegal last month. Arteta on Saliba’s injuries: “The ankle one, it was a really random and very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He was uncomfortable, and he had to stay away, and this one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully will be a matter of days.” Belgian forward Leandro Trossard should also be back in a “matter of days.” The 30-year-old has had a solid start to the 2025/26 campaign, scoring 5 and providing 5 assists in 16 matches. Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s injuries: “This season has been the worst in some areas, especially in the front line, and now what’s happening with the back line. But yeah, we learned and we were able to put that together, a squad that is much more reliable and has more options. “We learned from the past as well that we have to use players in different positions, and they have to be able to fulfill different roles if we want to compete at this level.“
Jimmy Thelin states “we have to win” as the Dons welcome Armenian Champions, FC Noah
The Dons are back on the European stage tomorrow evening as they host FC Noah who were founded just eight years ago as Thelin says “we must win” to keep European dreams alive. The Dons sit 33rd in the Conference League as a defeat tomorrow night may seal their European fate with a win needed for Aberdeen. Ahead of the game, Dons boss said: “If you see the table and the games we have left, to give us an opportunity to go through, we have to win tomorrow – that is clear,” “It is still going to be a difficult game. Noah are a good team with a good manager. They have four points and had some good results, so it is a difficult team to play.” If Noah were to run away winners, the dons will need to pick up two wins out of their remaining two games against both Sparta Prague and Strasbourg. Noah are struggling in their respective league season, sitting mid-table in Armenia. FC Noah, the 2017 founded side have four points compared to Aberdeen’s one point in the Conference League. Noah competed in last year’s Conference League where they finished on 4 points in 31st with a noticeable 8-0 defeat along the way in London against Chelsea. The Swedish boss still reckons his side are in for a “tough game” ahead of tomorrow night’s showdown in the Granite City as the Dons boss believes his side “is growing” after an increase in better performances as the Dons defeated league leaders, Hearts on Sunday to end their unbeaten run. “We still have the long term to play better, but when it is not working, sometimes when the opponents are better in general, there are still opportunities to win a football game and there I think the players have grown a lot in this mental capacity,” Jimmy said. Noah boss, Sandro Perkovic was full of praise for Aberdeen as the Croatian boss says “Aberdeen is one very strong team with a lot of quality individuals. It will be a really hard match for us.” The Noah gaffer also stated “In my opinion, no team in the Conference League can be favourites here in this stadium.” suggesting Pittodrie is a very tough place to go to and his side are in for a tough night in Scotland.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Preview
Arsenal return to Champions League action as they welcome German giants Bayern Munich to Emirates Stadium in what promises to be a blockbuster clash between two of the best sides on the planet. Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a comprehensive 4-1 home win over their North London rivals Tottenham. Trossard netted and Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick, the first one between the two sides since 1978, in a comfortable evening at Emirates Stadium. That’s now 15 games in a row without defeat in all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now sit 6 points ahead of 2nd place Chelsea and 7 points ahead of Manchester City in 3rd, who were defeated 2-1 at St James’ Park. Bayern Munich come into this fixture off the back of an impressive 6-2 victory against Freiburg. The Bundesliga outfit did find themselves 2-0 down after 17 minutes, but after 17-year-old Lennart Karl found the net just after 20 minutes, they didn’t look back. Michael Olise scored a brace, and also provided 3 assists, Dayot Upamecano netted, and so did Harry Kane and Nicolas Jackson. Vincent Kompany’s side remain comfortably on top of the Bundesliga table on 31 points, ahead of RB Leipzig by 6 points after 11 matches. In that run, Bayern have scored an outstanding 41 goals and only conceded 8. The last time these two sides met came in the Champions League quarter-final second leg in 2023/24, when Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal in a 1-0 win after the sides drew 2-2 in London in the first leg. Arsenal couldn’t really have asked for a better start to their Champions League campaign. The Gunners have played 4, won 4, scored 11 and haven’t conceded a single goal, the only side in the competition who are yet to concede in this year’s Champions League. Last time out in the UCL the North London outfit faced Slavia Prague away from home, winning 3-0. Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot and Mikel Merino netted a brace. The Bavarians have also enjoyed an impressive start to their Champions League campaign. The Munich outfit have played 4, won 4, scored 14 and conceded 3. Last time out in the UCL Bayern defeated European Champions PSG away from home. Luiz Diaz scored a first-half brace and also got himself sent off, and as a result will not feature against Arsenal. Joao Neves scored for the hosts with just over a quarter of an hour to play, but it wasn’t enough as they were defeated 2-1. Mikel Arteta on Eze’s stellar display against Spurs: “He could have scored four or five. He’s a big player who can create magic moments which unbalance a team. I’m so happy for him, because since the day he came he brought something else to the team. It’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence that at any moment he can win us a game.” “When he picked up the phone, I remember last summer, he said he wanted to play for us and wanted to be part of this team. You can really sense that.” Vincent Kompany on Arsenal: They’re the best team in Europe at set pieces. I think it’s a good challenge. I don’t know if there are many better teams than Arsenal in Europe at the moment. We’re looking forward to the game. Arsenal have plenty of players that can hurt Bayern, one of those being Eberechi Eze. The English attacking midfielder will be full of confidence following his derby day hat-trick. Another player that could potentially hurt Bayern is Leandro Trossard. The Belgian has had a very bright start to his 2025/26 campaign, scoring 5 and providing 5 assists in 15 matches, including a goal and 2 assists in 3 Champions League outings. Bayern Munich have numerous players that Arsenal should look out for, including one familiar face in Harry Kane, who loved to score in a North London Derby. The 32-year-old has enjoyed an incredible start to the 2025/26 season, scoring 27 goals, 5 of those coming in 4 Champions League games, and providing 4 assists in 23 matches. Another player Arsenal need to nullify is Michael Olise. The Frenchman has 12 goals and has provided 10 assists in 23 matches. The 23-year-old will go up against former teammate Eberechi Eze, who he enjoyed a brilliant partnership with at Crystal Palace.
McGregor’s late strike the difference in Paisley.
It was the hosts who started off the more threatening. And on 7 minutes they should have been ahead. Declan John did brilliantly and played a ball across goal towards Conor McMenamin, who failed to convert from close range, on the stretch. In the 15th minute, Sebastian Tounekti cut inside onto his right foot and got a shot off, but his curling effort went over the bar. In the 28th minute, Declan John’s corner was cleared by Celtic, but only as far as Conor McMenamin, who found space on the edge of Celtic’s box, but his brilliant left-footed effort came crashing off the post. In the 43rd minute, St Mirren managed to keep the ball alive following a long throw, the ball fell to Miguel Freckleton, who blazed his shot over the crossbar with Kasper Schmeichel on the deck. HT: St Mirren 0-0 Celtic After 50 minutes, Daizen Maeda looked to be through on goal, but Alexandros Gogic made an incredible sliding challenge to deny the Japanese forward. A bright start to second period from the Champions. After 64 minutes, Keanu Baccus found space outside the box, but his shot was comfortably saved by Kasper Schmeichel. In the 69th minute, St Mirren put the ball in the back of the net. Celtic defender Liam Scales was stretching for it and put the ball in the back of his own net, however, St Mirren’s number 10 Conor McMenamin was in an offside position and deemed to be interfering with play, therefore the goal was disallowed. With just under a quarter of an hour remaining of normal time, Celtic were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the St Mirren box, but Arne Engels’ effort came crashing off the wall. On 79 minutes, Liam Scales played a brilliant ball into the box, Daizen Maeda flicked it on towards the back post, but no Celtic player was there to convert. In the 83rd minute, Declan John took a shot from a tight angle, with Jonah Ayunga free at the back post, and his shot was easily saved by the Danish keeper. Deep into stoppage time, Celtic found the breakthrough. Callum McGregor worked some space on the edge of the box, and his sensational strike found the top corner. A vital strike from the Celtic skipper, which puts the pressure on Hearts going into their clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Findlay Marshall suggests he has a “good chance” at breaking into the Dons side
Findlay Marshall on loan from Aberdeen is hopeful of first team football at Pittodrie after impressing on loan in the Championship at Arbroath, picking up most recently, player of the month. The midfielder believes he has a “good chance” at breaking into the Dons squad next season. The midfielder has six goals at Arbroath including three assists with his best performance being against league leaders, St Johnstone in a 3-1 win where the Aberdeen loanee netted twice. Marshall had a prior loan spell in Cove as did Aberdeen team mate, Dylan Lobban who has most recently broken into the first team after very impressive signs from the 20-year-old. Aberdeen fans are very eager for new sporting director, Lutz Pfannenstiel to give the midfielder an extended contract in the Granite City. Marshall stated while speaking to RedTV: “He said: “I feel like I’ve backed myself. “I think I’ve got a good chance and seeing the likes of Dyl playing, hopefully I can get that chance. “But right now, I’m just focusing on Arbroath, because it’s been really good so far. “I’ll just try to keep doing well for them and then see what comes of it.” “I still needed to learn and play. “At that time, I don’t think I was probably ready (for Aberdeen), so I just wanted to go and play and enjoy it and see where it took me. “I feel like so far it’s going well, so we’ll just see what happens.” Marshall is currently training Monday, Wednesday and Friday where the midfielder trains Tuesday and Thursday with his team mates at Arbroath, Findlay mainly trains with the youth side. Many other youngsters who train with Findlay have also been sent out loan to clubs such as Elgin City, Kelty Hearts and Keith FC. Aberdeen are still keen on Findlay to develop in certain areas as the Arbroath man has held talks with Thelin as well as transition manager, Stewart Duff. “Yeah, definitely. I speak to them (Jimmy and his staff) most Mondays or whenever I see them,” Marshall said. “They’ll ask me how I’m getting on, and see how I’m getting on and stuff, so still definitely involved in that aspect. “Duff’s really good with that as well. We’ll sit down and watch all my clips and then he’ll give me some bits of advice. “There’s definitely a plan that we’ve got in place of what I want to get better at.” Marshall and other team mates are inspired by the breakthrough of Dons academy prospect, Dylan Lobban as the right-back has earnt starts over Kilmarnock, AEK Larnaca and Motherwell. Marshall said: “I was buzzing for him, because I’ve seen how hard he’s worked and I feel like he’s been knocking on the door for a while, so I was delighted. “And I was saying to a few of the boys, like, that inspires us – you want to see young boys from Aberdeen playing. Everyone does. “It just gives you that boost and a happy sort of mindset about all the young boys when we’re training, and all of the coaches – because they’ve worked so hard with him as well. “Obviously all of us want to achieve that, but if you can see somebody else doing it – somebody that you’ve been so close with – it’s good as well. It helps.” It is proven how good of an academy Aberdeen have now with Lobban breaking through and Marshall certainly showing his quality. It’s not just the duo impressing this season as Alfie Stewart (Inverness CT), Jack Searle, Alfie Bavidge (Inverness CT), Dylan Ross (Elgin City) all impressing out on loan.
Fraud investigations ongoing at former Scottish top flight side
Hamilton Accies, once a top flight side who now find themselves in the Scottish League One are under investigation by Police Scotland for possible fraud. The SFA today stated Hamilton owner Seref Zegin and director Gerry Strain are both not “fit and proper” to be in full control of a football club. The pair have been made to leave any position which saw them have full authority, effect or administration they may hold at the League One outfit. Hamilton have faced many point deductions and fines in recent times due to the current state for Accies’ with the club not managing to pay off any tax due as well as funding players wages. In a recent interview with Police Scotland, a spokesperson stated: “On Friday, 23 May, 2025, police (Scotland) received a report of alleged fraud in the Hamilton area. “Information is being assessed and enquiries are ongoing”. The former Premiership side have been kicked out of former home ground, New Douglas Park in which the club now play at Broadwood as fans are scared they may lose their club in the near future and have also netted a £1.8million loss. The League One side sit 7th in the third division, just two points off the Scottish Championship play-offs spot. Accies were faced with a six points deduction earlier in the campaign.
Ross County 3-3 Ayr United: Points Shared in six-goal Thriller
Ross County welcome Ayr United to Dingwall as both teams are eager to get back to winning ways. The Staggies make four changes from last week’s defeat at Gayfield against Arbroath as Dean Cornelius, Kieran Phillips, Dylan Smith and Gary Mackay-stevens come in to replace Scott Fraser, Jamie Lindsay, Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti who drops to the bench. Scott Brown makes just one one change from their 1-0 defeat against Dunfermline as Kevin Holt returns as Liam Dick drops onto the bench. County had an early flurry with Duncan whipping in a corner with Alki Wright getting a head on it but a good stop by Mitchell with another good chance being cleared by Stuart Brannigan. Ayr had a chance of their own, Mcallister with a cross into the box with Mark Mckenzie meeting the cross but a comfortable save for Trevor Carson in goals. Ronan Hale has a decent enough effort, Hale on the left hand side, cutting in unleashing a strike with a simple catch for Mitchell as moments later, Hale again with a similar strike but on the right which struck side. Ethan Walker got the Honest Men ahead after 22 minutes, Mckenzie with a low driven cross into the box, Walkers with plenty of space eventually controlled the ball and struck home to get Ayr in front. The hosts had a big chance, a lose piece of play by Ayr which allowed defender Alki Wright to have a chance of his own but not enough accuracy as it fires wide. Ronan Hale got county back level, a ball up the field to Hale where he cut onto his right foot and struck it home doing what he does best to get the Staggies on level terms. It didn’t take county long to fire ahead as a cross from Declan Gallagher across the box found Jordan White who put County ahead. Scott McMann from distance almost got Ayr back level but a brilliant fisting save by Carson to keep his sided in front. A bright first half display by County but as soon as the hosts went 2-1 up, Ayr looked to use that as motivation as it was a good response but failing top draw level. A very entertaining first half in the Highlands. Four minutes into the second half, Duncan almost added a third for County with his strike being tipped over by David Mitchell in goals. Jordan White had his second of the afternoon, multiple attempts beforehand but Jordan White took on a strike and smashed it home to get a third. Ayr found one back, a cluster in the box with the ball landing at Scott McMann where he struck it nicely into the bottom right hand corner. Substitute Curtis Main levelled the tie, a shot from the edge of the box smashing past Trevor Carson following a goal line block by Wright following an initial attempt. Mark Mckenzie could’ve had Ayr ahead, a powerful strike from close range but going out for a throw in to the hosts. In the dying stages, if a winner was to come, it certainly looked in favour as the visitors as we were in for a nervy end. It ends level but what a game as both sides put their quality on show. Both sides will leave on a positive note in a sensational game of football for the neutrals. Ross County: Carson, Crompton, Wright, Cornelius, Hale, Phillips (O’Sullivan 75′), Smith, Mackay-Stevens (Iacovitti 75′), White, Duncan, Gallagher Subs: Laidlaw, Foster, O’Sullivan, Clark, Iacovitti, Reid, Scott. Ayr United: Mitchell, Mcallister (Dick 66′), Holt, Bannigan (Main 58′), Ure, Murphy (Bonnar 66′), King, Walker, McKenzie, Rus, McMann Subs: Russell, Dick, Want, Main, Thomas, Bonnar.
