Jimmy Thelin states “we don’t have many options” as Aberdeen target a central defender

The Dons are currently without duo Kristers Tobers and Gavin Molloy through injury with on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender, Alfie Dorrington potentially being recalled by the Premier League side this January. “We don’t have many options,” Jimmy Thelin stated.  “That’s also how they have managed this pressure, the players, to play so many games in such a short time and space. “So who knows? Tobers is out for the rest of the season. Let’s also see what we have in terms of how some players are pushing. “Maybe they still have a journey to do, but also in the academy, to create space and pathways for our players that we have invested in before the season and the way we’re working now with the academy. “In January, for sure there are going to be movements in and out. “We will see when January is over, what has happened.” So let’s see how we balance the squad after January.” Aberdeen skipper, Graeme Shinnie is currently eyeing up a new deal at Pittodrie with midfielder, Dante Polvara’s contract all expiring come the end of the season with the American international being linked with Hibernian a while back. He added: “Again, as I said, I’m always in the window. If we’re going to say something, we have something to say, but he’s a really good captain for this club.” Vicente Besuijen who’s been out on loan with Finnish outfit, HJK Helsinki has returned to the Granite City despite not being available to play until the January window opens. Jimmy Thelin said: “He is training. He has taken care of himself. He is prepared for when the window opens. He can’t play until the window opens again. He is in a good shape and he has brought a good energy to the team in a positive way.” There has also been talk of a move for Aberdeen midfielder, Sivert Heltne Nilsen with a possible switch to Asane being on the cards for the Norwegian international. Nilsen was struck with injury last campaign due to a rare eye injury but a move closer to home could be an option for the 34-year-old this January. The midfielder has made 13 appearances for the Dons so far this season where he popped up with a goal in the early stages of the campaign scoring in a 3-0 win over Greenock Morton in the Premier Sports Cup.

Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen – An early Christmas gift for Nancy as he picks up his first win as Celtic boss

Aberdeen make the trip down to Glasgow to face Celtic in a Christmas Cracker as the Dons hope to make it five defeats in a row for Wilfried Nancy and Celtic. An early pacey run for Maeda with a cross into the box but just a bit ahead of Kenny which doesn’t allow Celtic to take an early lead. Engles came close himself, a volley from the edge of the box which fired over the bar. Aberdeen had a dangerous attack but Trusty stopping Lazetic striking after giving away the ball to Karlsson. Trusty to the rescue again as Keskinen with a strike this time from close range but a very crucial block by the USA international. Nygren again following a few nice short passes beforehand with Mitov saving well to prevent a Celtic lead. Huge chance for Kenny, a mistake by Mitov which landed at McGregor with Kenny receiving the ball but the attempt strolling wide of goal. Nygren fired Celtic ahead, it began by a Lobban mistake which Yang won back, slotted the ball to Maeda who fed it into Nygren who made no mistake and fired Celtic ahead. Keskinen came close, twisting and turning and unleashed an effort at the near post with Schmeichel tipping it out. Karlsson was close shortly after, a strike from distance which fired wide of target. A phenomenal stop by Mitov in goal, McCowan with a powerful strike just out the box being well saved by the Dons keeper. Dylan Lobban was shown red following a Mitov error, Maeda was through on goal by the Aberdeen youngster pulling back the Celtic star which was surely an obvious red. Nygren should’ve fired Celtic two ahead early second half, a strike from the left hand side of the box which smacked the inside of the post where Mitov comfortably collected. Ralston this time, an effort from outside the box well saved by the Aberdeen number one. Engles then quickly smacked the bar following a shot from inside the box. A low cross into the box after an hour by Kenny which fizzled across the box failing to find its way into the net to keep it at just the one goal. Celtic rattle the post once again, a diving header by Arne Engles where he smacks the ball against the post. Nygren showing his class again, an effort from the edge of the box which fires just wide of target. Celtic should be more ahead but remain just the one goal separating the sides. Aberdeen fired level unexpectedly, Kjartansson winning the ball back, slots it into Bilalovic who makes no mistake and brings the visitors back on level terms. Brilliant defensive work by Aberdeen as Celtic kept trying to get back ahead. Very nervy end to the game at Celtic Park. Youngster Donovan whipped a great ball in, failing to be met by Maeda and Shin but there was Tierney to fire the ball in to bring Celtic back in front. James Forrest wrapped up the win as a low cross by the captain which landed at Forrest who made no mistake and converted past Mitov to seal the win. Shin nearly made it four, a header from outside the box which hit the outside of the bar to keep the score at 3-1. A very big three points in the Nancy era at Celtic as the champions return to winning ways over Aberdeen. Celtic: Schmeichel (6), Trusty (8), Nygren (8), Yang (7), McCowan (7), Kenny (6), Engles (8), Maeda (7), McGregor (8), Ralston (7), Tierney (9). Substitutes: Forrest (7), Shin (6), Scales (6), Donovan (7). Aberdeen: Mitov (7), Lobban (5), Devlin (6), Knoester (6), Milne (5), Jensen (6), Aouchiche (6), Armstrong (7), Karlsson (6), Keskinen (6), Lazetic (6). Substitutes: Gyamfi (6), Bilalovic (8), Kjartansson (7), Shinnie (6), Nisbet (6).

Dundee United 1-1 Hibernian – The points shared in a very dramatic match

Dundee United welcome Hibernian to Tannadice in the Scottish Premiership in a game which has proven to be high scoring in recent times. The opening 15 didn’t offer much in terms of attempts but both sides looking very energetic and up for it but remains goalless. Hibs had the best chance after 17 minutes, a darting run by Nicky Cadden who unleashed a strike from outside the box which rattled side netting. The visitors continued to up the pressure with a cross in from the left by Nicky Cadden who whipped a ball in but missing all bodies in the box. Dundee United went ahead after 21 minutes. Ferry crossed the ball in from the corner as Watters flicked the ball into Stephenson who struck it home to put Jim Goodwin’s men ahead. Nicky Cadden again, running towards the box with an attempt from range firing over the bar. A horror mistake by Sallinger giving away the ball to Watters who was through but Scotland International, Grant Hanley with an amazing block to avoid a two-goal cushion for the hosts. Bowie nearly had Hibs level, following a short corner, Bowie turning and unleashing a strike which hit side netting after the travelling support celebrated thinking they were level. Boyle should’ve had Hibs level, a low cross into the box with Bowie failing to connect with Boyle at the back post but only finding side netting. Hibs were level as a volley from Boyle on the left hand side of the box firing into the bottom right hand corner to draw Hibernian back level. Hibs very close to going ahead as Cadden whipped a ball into the box after a corner which found Zack Mitchell who headed the ball onto the bar which was cleared by the United backline. Into the second half, Max Watters had a great chance, through on goal but a heavy touch resulting in Sallinger collecting. United were very close, Mulligan losing possession as Sibbald robs the ball and feeds it to Watters who takes the shot off first time but fires far into the stands. A very even second half but no major chances but there were signs of a winner coming as both sides were really giving it their all. Trapanovski had a brilliant chance, a pacey run into the box where he cut inside and his effort was brilliantly stopped by Sallinger. The North Macedonian international again cutting onto his right, firing an effort just wide of target. Trapanovski continued to cause problems, doing well to skip past the Hibees midfield where he than took on a shot but struck just wide of the net to keep the match all-square. Hibs chance arrived, a ball into the box which was defended which fell to Levitt but his attempt was wide and over in which was a very weak effort. Ferry with a ball in Sevelj had a chance from range but his shot was deflected and caught by Sallinger in goals. Dundee United: Richards (7), Strain (5), Sevelj (7), Graham (6), Sapsford (7), Ferry (6), Sibbald (8), Fatah (7), Stephenson (8), Keresztes (6), Watters (7). Substitutes: Moller (6), Trapanovski (8), Cleall-Harding (7), Dolcek (6), Esselink (6), Naamo (6). Hibernian: Sallinger (6), Hanley (9), Bowie (6), Boyle (8), Iredale (7), McGrath (6),N. Cadden (8), Mulligan (6), Barlaser (7), Mitchell, Megwa. Substitutes: Campbell (7), Levitt (6), Klidje (6), Hoilett (6), Youan (6).

Dundee United v Hibernian Match Preview

Dundee United host Hibernian in what promises to be an entertaining encounter. The last match between these 2 sides ended in a 3-3 draw. Jim Goodwin’s side found themselves 3-1 up after 48 minutes, but Hibs managed to rescue a penalty courtesy of goals from Kieron Bowie and a penalty from Jamie McGrath. Hibernian are unbeaten in their last 4 meetings against Dundee United, winning 2 and drawing 2, the last time the Dundee outfit won in this fixture was in October 2024, when Luca Stephenson and Meshack Ubochioma scored in second-half stoppage time to give United all 3 points. In continuation, there has been no less than 4 goals in the last 3 meetings between the 2 sides. The last encounter provided 6 six goals, the meeting in May provided 4 goals, with Hibernian winning 3-1, and the meeting between the sides in February also provided 4 goals, where Hibs also won 3-1. Both sides faced Old Firm opposition in their last encounter and picked up contrasting results. Dundee United came from a goal down to defeat Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic 2-1 at Tannadice. Before their win against the Champions, United were on a run of 7 games without a win, 3 losses and 4 draws. United are 4 points away from 6th and Hibernian in 5th. Hibernian lost 1-0 to Rangers at Ibrox, with Emmanuel Fernandez’ goal the difference between the sides. David Gray’s side have had a mixed start to their 2025/26 Premiership campaign, winning 6, drawing 6 and losing 5. As a result, the Edinburgh outfit sit in 5th place, 3 points off Motherwell in 4th and 5 points away from Rangers in 3rd. Jim Goodwin on his side’s win against Celtic: “It has been a long time since we beat Celtic in front of our own supporters, it was 2014 the last time, and that’s one for them. “We are not getting carried away. We are not happy with our league position, but that gives us a lot of confidence.” David Gray on his side’s defeat at Ibrox: “So, for all the control I felt we had, considering this was a difficult venue to come, Jack Butland didn’t really have a save to make, so it wasn’t as if we had chance after chance and I think that was down to a lack of decision making sometimes, and a lack of quality. “The final third let us down, we just lacked that little bit of cutting edge tonight and it wasn’t for getting into good areas, it was just the final bit and it probably summed up our night, to be honest.”

Rangers Announce Stig Inge Bjørnebye as Football Advisor

Rangers have announced the former Norway international player Stig Inge Bjørnebye in a football advisor role on an initial six month contract. 56-year-old Bjørnebye will take up his role from this week as Rangers prepare for the January transfer window. It’s understood that Bjørnebye’s role will be to advise chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe, who will have the final say on transfers in January, however head coach Danny Rohl will also be involved in these decisions. This comes after former sporting director Kevin Thelwell and former CEO Patrick Stewart were sacked on the 24th November following the worst start to a season for Rangers in 47 years. Bjørnebye had a strong playing career appearing for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool in the English Premier League. He also got 75 caps for Norway, one of which being against Scotland at the World Cup in France 1998. He has been the Norway assistant coach and the head coach of Norwegian club side IK Start for a short period. He also has experience of working in sporting director roles at Rosenborg in his native Norway and most recently at Aarhus in Denmark. It’s also our understanding that Rangers are in no rush to announce a new CEO or sporting director, happy to take time to make sure they get those appointments right. Rangers will be looking for defensive cover, a holding midfielder and more striking options as they look to bolster Rohl’s squad for the rest of the season.

What matters at the Old Firm: Are modern managers trading determination for data, and steel in favour of statistics?

The days of running up Gullane Beach or receiving a hairdryer to the head are firmly in the past – some may argue justifiably. But have modern managers gone soft? Have they forgotten how to win? And what does this all mean for Scotland’s two biggest clubs. Rangers fans may laugh at the calamitous start to Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic tenure, but they are still bearing the bruises of a similarly bad managerial experiment in Russell Martin. Comparing these two managers isn’t entirely straightforward, one cut his teeth in the highly-competitive world of English Championship football and the other in the up-and-coming MLS in the United States, but there is one area both have displayed a serious lack of understanding that will rightly worry legions of loyal supporters. These managers share a troubling knowledge gap of what these two Glasgow giants are all about. Both have made equally as concerning and mystifying statements in their respective press conferences, and the pair are seemingly incapable of understanding what the key performance indicators are at the Old Firm: winning games, cup progression, and three points. It is a simple concept that both managers have, quite incredibly, managed to complicate. They’ve introduced a modern jargon that previously had no place in the changing rooms of Ibrox or Celtic Park, where grit and questionable language from captains have dominated. It is a jargon that would have never entered the vocabulary of Walter Smith, Sir Alex Ferguson or Martin O’Neill and it is completely unfathomable that these managerial legends would concern themselves with millennial concepts such as “XG” or “Patterns”, their driving motivation was to win the football game at any cost. Wilfried Nancy and Russell Martin have both made statements that have angered more than they’ve appeased, and shown aesthetically-pleasing performances and converting training routines into playing routines take priority over winning games. When did this become the defining factor in either of these two clubs’ seasons? You don’t need to be multilingual to understand the message from the paying-supporters of these clubs, or as Russell Martin once said, “have a foreign sounding name”. It is really quite simple, it doesn’t take an army of scientists, analysts, coaches, or dieticians. It is a fairly straightforward concept that has formed the basis of these two clubs for generations: win. Just win. Win however it takes. Win from the penalty spot in the 96th minute. Win from a VAR decision.

Wilfried Nancy has engineered himself into an ‘unsackable’ position, aided by the Celtic board

New Celtic Manager, Wilfried Nancy, has shoe-horned himself into a strong position ahead of Christmas and, unwillingly, the chiefs at Celtic have enabled this pantomime to play out.  The festive period is a time of fairytale and dreams. It is a time when realities hide and festive cheer dominate. But In the mahogany-lined walls of the Celtic-Park boardroom, this Christmas dream has quickly turned into an unfathomable nightmare. The once Scottish-football powerhouse has found itself embroiled in the script of something you’d see at the King’s Theatre and is now a shadow of the tight ship Dermot Desmond used to run and Celtic used to be. As every manager has passed, they’ve descended further into civil war between the supremos in the leather seats and the paying punters waking up hoarse on the Monday morning after a match weekend–with a brief ceasefire initiated by the talismanic Martin O’Neill. This club is in a mess and you don’t really need to look far to find out why or what their current predicament is. To anyone who has followed football, it is blatantly obvious that Wilfried Nancy is out his depth, but why is this a surprise? It shouldn’t be a surprise. As recently as six years ago Wilfried Nancy was managing an under 16’s women’s team, and whilst this isn’t a reflection of his managerial capability, it is a reflection of his managerial experience and his qualification to take on one of the most intense jobs in European football management. Judging a manager on three games is neither fair nor reasonable. Judging a boards decision on three games is fair and reasonable–especially given they handed Nancy the keys to Lennoxtown. Sacking Wilfried Nancy three games in, despite the gravity of those games, isn’t conceivable at this moment. Martin O’Neill himself said that he could’ve lost those games in a recent interview with TalkSport, “Could’ve” being the key quote there, ‘unlikely’ being far more probable. If the Celtic board were to act now and kick Nancy out of Celtic Park, this wouldn’t be seen as a failure on Nancy, it would be seen as a failure by the Celtic board. At the top of this article we said Nancy had “Engineered himself into an unsackable position”, and this point remains. Nancy cannot be sacked because it would trigger resignations and terminations of the decision makers at Celtic. If they were to fire the manager they have just appointed after three games, it is unfathomable to see how their own positions are tenable. Have they made such an ill-informed decision that they are now backtracking three games in, and at such huge cost to the club? If this was a game of chess at Celtic Park, the Celtic board have made a serious error in their most recent move. Nancy is one move away from a checkmate, and now the board must look at sacrificing their queen to stay in the game. All that is left to see now is how long the supremos can keep moving around the board delaying the inevitable.

Five Players Rangers Should Sign in January

As we continue to push forwards towards the January transfer window things have started to calm for Rangers after the calamitous start to the season under Russell Martin.  Since Danny Rohl came in on the 22nd October, Rangers are unbeaten in the league under the German’s stewardship and are looking to close the points gap on Hearts and Celtic above them. It’s indicative that Rangers get their January transfer business right in order to give themselves the best opportunity to do that so recruitment of both quality and in the correct positions is paramount. Here are five players I feel should be on the Rangers shopping list in the most important winter window in many years for the club. Jordy Makengo The 6’3 French left back currently plays for Bundesliga side Freiburg, a market you’d think Rohl would know well being a German native. Left back is a position Rangers will be looking to strengthen considering the only natural left back currently in the first team is 19 year old Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma. Makengo is 24 years old and has an estimated transfer value of around £4 million, he shows great pace and ball carrying skills but his real strengths are his natural defending abilities. Recovery runs, ball interceptions and aerial duels are what make this a shrewd signing for Rangers. A player that reminds me a lot of Calvin Bassey. If he was to sign for Rangers it would be expected of him to increase his attacking output having never registered a senior goal or assist, however with the general drop in quality of opposition between Germany and Scotland I feel he has the ability to do so. Amos Pieper Sticking in Germany, I have picked this 6’4 centre half currently playing for Werder Bremen as I really feel its a market Rohl should exploit. Centre half is another area Rangers desperately need to strengthen with John Souttar and Derek Cornelius out long term and Nasser Djiga going to AFCON very soon, the cover there is again short. Pieper is a classic ball winning centre half winning over 80% of his aerial duels and also excelling in interceptions, but what really makes him stand out is his use of the ball. Pieper enjoys playing long and progressive passes, something that Rohl asks his defenders to do a lot. Pieper plays an average of nine progressive passes per 90 minutes played. With an estimated transfer value of around £2.5 million plus a contract that expires in June 2026 this is a great option that I feel Rangers should be looking at if not in January then in the summer. Jamie Lawrence Moving over the border from Germany to Austria I’ve gone with a goliath 6’7 centre half to further strengthen the centre half options. This German national currently plies his trade for Austrian Bundesliga team WSG Tirol and his transfer value sitting at a steal at around £350,000. As you can imagine he wins a high amount of aerial duels winning just under three quarters of those per 90 minutes. He defends his area incredibly well, excelling in 1v1 situations very rarely being dribbled past and completing an average of six interceptions as well per 90 minutes. Another guy who’s contract is up in the coming summer. I feel he has all the right tools to be taken by Rangers in January but if not a great addition in the summer when his deal in Austria is up. Andy Irving Moving into central midfield I’m always wary of having a good core of Scottish players in my squad for European purposes because of UEFA’s homegrown rules for Euro squads. So I’ve picked out a Scottish player for this one and it’s 25 year old Andy Irving currently of West Ham. He’s had precious little game time at West Ham since moving there in 2023 but has had two spells at Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Klagenfurt which I feel he’s shown enough to prove he’s worth his shot at Rangers. He’s played 59 games in all for Klagenfurt and scored 14 goals and got nine assists, proving himself as a midfielder who is able to score goals and create for teammates at a decent level. He has played an average of eight passes into the opposition final third per 90 minutes played so he has that ability to find wingers or strikers in dangerous positions. Like Pieper and Lawrence his current contract is up in June 2026, his transfer value at around £3 million it is possible to pick him up at cut back price in the summer if not in January. Jonas Wind After the disastrous striker recruitment by Rangers with Chermiti and Miovski, despite Miovski having a recent upturn in form. This is someone who I really feel would do well in a Rangers shirt. The 6’3 Danish international currently at Vfl Wolfsburg has struggled for game time this season but got nine goals and three assists in 33 games last season for Wolfsburg, only 12 starts as well, which considering the level of opposition in Germany, that is a decent return. As you can imagine as a striker of considerable height his main strengths comes from dropping deep linking up play then making runs into the box to score headers or cut back shots. He wins an average of seven aerial duels per 90 minutes of game time and a goal to shot conversion rate of around 25%. However considering he’ll have many more chances and clear cut chances created for him at Rangers I feel this will be considerably higher in a blue jersey. At a transfer value of around £6 million this is a real push for Rangers but I believe if available it’s a no brainer.

Tony Docherty sacked as Ross County boss amid poor start to Championship return

Ross County boss, Tony Docherty and assistant Callum Davidson have both been sacked by the Highlanders after a verry poor campaign for the Staggies so far. Tony Docherty was appointed the new manager in Dingwall at the start of September, taking over for Don Cowie who was previously sacked. Tony was sacked by Dundee in May in which he took over Ross County just after the season had begun. Since joining County, Docherty has had a nightmare start to life up North, taking charge of just 15 games, only managing to win four games as well as four draws and seven defeats. Tony has a win record of just 26.67%, averaging just 1.1 point per game. Tony had only won 2 games against a Championship side, defeating Raith Rovers 2-0 and Dunfermline 3-2. The former Dundee boss also defeated Banks O’ Dee 2-0 in the Scottish Cup and most recently defeating Celtic B 4-0 in the Challenge Cup. It look as Ross County had a real chance at the title following some big signings like Declan Gallagher, Trevor Carson, Gary MacKay-Steven, Jamie Linday and Ryan Duncan as well as keeping hold of Ronan Hale who netted on 18 occasions in the top flight, who also attracted interest from the likes of Aberdeen and Hibernian in the summer. The sacking comes following a 6-0 battering in Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers yesterday. The Staggies surprisingly sit rock bottom in the Championship, just 2 points off of 9th place, Queens Park. A big few months await in the Highlands as County need to up their game if they are to avoid any scare of the drop.

Dundee United 0-0 Motherwell – A goalless draw at Tannadice as both sides struggled in the final third

Out-of-form Dundee United host in-form Motherwell with the hosts in eager need of victory as pressure begins to mount on Jim Goodwin. Motherwell had the first chance, Stephen O’Donnell with a ball where Callum Hendry heads it straight at David Richards. A simple stop for Richards. Stephen Welsh was forced off after 17 minutes through concussion following a coming together with Elliot Watt. Liam Gordon coming on to replace the on-loan Celtic man. Elliot Watt had a chance after 30 minutes from distance but a simple catch by Richards. A poor opening 30 by both sides as both really struggled to find any real chance with next to no clear cut chances. The hosts had a free-kick just outside the box where Ferry took a shot on but firing right at the Motherwell wall keeping the game goalless. Dundee United had penalty claims where Max Watters went around the keeper in which was taken down by Ward but the referee was having none of it. Watt had a late strike from distance but his effort fires well into the stands which sums up the match so far. Sapsford had the best chance, on the right hand side, cutting in and unleashing a weak strike which was stopped by Callum Ward in the Motherwell goals. Maswanhise had a chance of his own, a strike from the edge of the box which was a simple stop for David Richards. HT Dundee United 0-0 Motherwell – A very poor half of football with no clear-cut chances. There was the odd chance but no keeper being forced into any difficulty as the game was without a goal going into the break. Fatah had an early chance in the second half, a strike inside the box which was deflected with Ward catching the ball safely to keep the game on level terms. Fatah again but this time a darting run towards the box with an low-driven attempt unleashed from the edge of the box fired marginally wide of goal. Fateh had yet another chance, Ferry with a ball onto the edge of the box where Fateh’s strike went over and wide which looked to have been deflected but no corner was awarded. Elijah Just had a great strike from just outside the box but a solid block the Iovu resulted in a corner kick. Signs were showing of a goal coming soon. Slattery this time was very close. A brilliant turn on the ball by the midfielder with his strike firing just wide of goal. A lot better by both sides. Sibbald had a wonderful and ambitious attempt. A strike from the half way line as Ward appeared miles out but his attempt going just wide of target. After 75 minutes, Stamatelopoulos was through on goal where he took on a strike which flew wide of goal. Slattery had a huge chance to put his side, just yards out but fired over the top as it looks to edge towards a goalless draw at Tannadice. Said should’ve had the visitors, an attempt inside the box just firing wide of target as both teams look to try and break the deadlock. FT Dundee United 0-0 Dundee United: Richards 6, Strain 6, Esselink 6 , Iouvu 6, Graham 7, Sapsford 6, Ferry 7, Sibbald 6, Fatah8 , Stephenson7 , Watters 6. Subsitutes: Moller 6, Dolcek 6 , Sevelj 6. Motherwell: Ward 7, O’Donnell 6, Slattery 7, Fadinger 6, McGinn 6, Maswanhise 6, Watt 7, Just6 , Koutroumbis 6, Welsh 5, Hendry 5. Subsitutes: Gordon 6, Said 6, Stamatelopoulos 6, Longelo 6, Charles-Cook 6.