Larne beat Ballymena to keep up chase for second spot
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Press and Journal
3 hours ago
- Press and Journal
'Heavy', 'high-intensity': Mats Knoester on the training which has Aberdeen ready for Thursday-Sunday Europe demands
Aberdeen defender Mats Knoester revealed why he is confident this Dons team will be able to handle the gruelling Thursday/Sunday schedule which comes with action in Europe this time around. After lifting the Scottish Cup in May, the Dons are guaranteed Continental league action in either the Europa League or Conference League this season, to be decided by a late-August Europa League play-off tie. Several Scottish sides have struggled to balance extended European football with domestic commitments in recent campaigns – not least Barry Robson's Aberdeen when they competed in the Conference League group stage in 2023. Robson's Reds performed admirably against the likes of Eintract Frankfurt and PAOK, but suffered a dreadful league season alongside their Conference League efforts which ultimately cost Robson his job after the Euro matches came to an end. However, Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin – whose side rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 defeat to English Championship Ipswich Town at Pittodrie on Friday – have done the hard yards to ensure they can cope with their game-load in the months ahead. Knoester said: 'That's what we did a lot in pre-season – train under really heavy circumstances, a lot of high-intensity metres, so we really trained on that. 'We did everything we can to be ready for that (the schedule with European action).' Before their European adventure begins, Aberdeen will start their Premiership campaign next Monday with a tough trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts. Knoester – who signed for the Reds in January – has yet to experience the Gorgie venue, where the Dons have not won since 2017. Aberdeen did, however, beat Hearts at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final on their way to lifting the trophy. Centre-half Knoester is not concerning himself with Aberdeen's long-standing Tynecastle hoodoo, and while he echoes manager Thelin's mantra of taking things one game at a time, he does expect Hearts to rival the Reds this term. Knoester said: 'The last few years, they're a good team. A big team as well. I think it's going to be an exciting game. It's not going to be an easy game away. 'Always the first game in the season is interesting to see how the teams are after the pre-season. 'I think we're aware that it's a tough game, away at Hearts. 'But I also think the past doesn't really matter. 'If I can go back to Celtic in Hampden (in the cup final) – we don't have a really good record against Celtic and then you win the game. 'In football, I don't think you should go too much back to the past, and then look forward. 'If we look a bit further, I think they (Hearts) are also one of the competitors. 'I prefer to just go week by week, but, of course, as Aberdeen, you're one of the bigger teams, and Hearts is that as well. 'So, in that way, I think we should compete with each other. ' In defeat to Ipswich on Friday, Aberdeen were exposed on three occasions by the relegated English Premier League outfit. While Knoester thinks the Dons' experimentation with a 'bit more extreme' high line designed to 'create pressure on them and take a bit more risk' was partly to blame for the increased spaces the Reds' backline struggled to cover, he also thinks Thelin's team can learn from their English pre-season visitors. He said: 'I think that was the goal, to have some big opponents, like Fulham and now Ipswich as well, especially going into Europe as well – we have a tough season coming. 'So I think if you want to improve something, you also have to play against the better teams, because they will show you also what's needed to be on that level. 'I think one big thing was consistency. If you see how consistent they are, and if they do make a mistake, they make up for it – they make a foul or they're back fast enough. 'If there's a rebound, there's somebody who taps it in, and we just miss it. Stuff like that – I think we can learn from that. 'You're one that sets a standard for yourself.'
Press and Journal
3 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Duncan Shearer: Kusini Yengi must seize his Aberdeen chance
A new season is upon us and my eyes are fixed firmly on new Aberdeen striker Kusini Yengi. Aberdeen have new faces on board for the new season with the majority coming in early. I expect there will be a few more before the window closes, but which areas the Dons look to strengthen will be dictated by how well the players perform in August. As a former striker, it should come as no surprise the signing I'm most curious to see perform is Australia international Yengi. The 26 year-old will start the season as the first-choice striker, as things stand, but it's up to him to perform consistently to ensure he stays in the role. Things could change if Aberdeen land Serbian forward Marko Lazetic from AC Milan this week, but currently Yengi is the main man. Whenever I moved to a club I was always focused on hitting the ground running early – as a striker that meant getting off the mark as quickly as possible. I was fortunate to score a debut goal for five of the six senior clubs I played for. The only club I failed to score for on my debut was Swindon, which, ironically, was the club I scored the most goals for overall… so at least I can say I made amends! Yengi will be looking to do that, too, when he runs out at Tynecastle next week. In this Aberdeen team he will get service and chances to score. What happens after that is down to him, but for his own confidence, it's important he does it consistently. We can debate hold-up play, running in behind, movement and aerial prowess all day long, but as a striker you are ultimately judged on one thing – goals. If you go three, four or five games in a row without scoring, people tend to notice and ask questions about you. Here's hoping Yengi makes a strong start in his first season in Scottish football. I wouldn't read too much into Aberdeen's pre-season results as a predictor for what lies ahead this season for the Dons. The supporters welcomed the Scottish Cup winners back to Pittodrie on Friday for the final pre-season game against Ipswich Town, with the visitors running out 3-1 winners. Following a 4-1 loss in a closed doors game at Fulham in their previous outing, I can understand why some fans will be feeling a little apprehensive. But I believe tough, testing warm-up matches are far more beneficial for Jimmy Thelin and his players than routine one-sided victories against lower league opposition. Believe me, the shift the players will have had to put in against Fulham and Ipswich will be significantly more taxing and beneficial in the build-up to Monday's Premiership opener against Hearts at Tynecastle. The two English sides were in the Premier League before the summer – and Ipswich will be among the title favourites to win the Championship this season. They are above the standard of opposition the Dons will face on a regular basis in Scottish football. Following those games, I expect Dons boss Thelin will have a good idea of what his starting XI will be at Tynecastle next week. I've said previously I loved playing the Jambos on their own patch. The atmosphere was always brilliant there and I relished the fans being right on top of me. I expect it to be no different with new Hearts boss Derek McInnes determined to get off to a winning start at the expense of his former club on the opening matchday of the new season. Ross County fans will be hoping Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Partick Thistle acts as a reality check for their side. The Staggies welcomed the Jags to Global Energy Stadium looking for a win to book their place in the last-16 of the Premier Sports Cup. Instead, manager Don Cowie was left praising Partick and warning his players of the challenge which lies ahead in trying to win promotion from the Championship this season. I've enjoyed watching the second tier of Scottish football, but it's getting tougher every season. You've got to be on your game every week or else you are punished – and County learned that lesson against one of their league rivals at the weekend. The last thing you want is to be out of the top three and beyond striking distance in the division. That's why Don will be looking for a reaction when he takes his side to Airdrie for the league opener on Saturday. The Diamonds are no mugs and County need to make a strong start. They have the quality, but they need the consistency to go with it. It's a similar story at Caley Thistle who learned the level they need to get to following their 5-1 loss at Raith Rovers on Saturday. The Championship is where Caley Thistle want to be a year from now, but it's going to take a lot of work to get there. The last 12 months were turbulent for the club with changes on and off the pitch and administration, but I hope a new campaign brings a clean slate. I like the look of Scott Kellacher's side and I think he has a good balance in his team of youth and experience. David Wotherspoon's experience will be vital for Caley Jags, and if shows the form he did in his brief first stint with the club, then Inverness will be among the title contenders. I wish the Dons, County and Caley Jags the best of luck for the new season and I'll continue to root for them as we need a strong football presence in the north of Scotland. This is my final column for The Press and Journal, but I've been lucky enough to experience some terrific highs and lows following the three teams. There's been everything from cup glory, play-off success and failure, to relegation and even administration to peruse in my time here. But as I sign off, I do so with the hope the future is bright for all three clubs. It's been a blast.
Press and Journal
3 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Dons yobs who challenged Rangers fans to fight outside pub handed year-long ban
Six Aberdeen football supporters have been banned from attending all Scottish football games for a year after they marched on a pub where Rangers fans were drinking and challenged them to fight. Dons supporters Dylan Duncan, 23, Brandon Emslie, 23, Neale Ross, 36, Callum Seymour, 25, Brad Rogers, 22, and Ryan Combe, 21, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where they admitted conducting themselves in a disorderly manner on April 23 last year. It was stated that prior to Aberdeen FC hosting Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium, the group had been in The Scotia Bar. From there, a growing number of young men confronted Rangers supporters as they exited the Saltoun Arms, where they goaded them and challenged them to fight. While some fights did break out, none of the six were seen to be involved in any physical violence. Sheriff Ian Wallace told each of the men that their actions had put the safety of other supporters – including families – at 'risk' and stated that it was his responsibility to protect the public. He handed each of the men a ban from all professional football games for a year – and put an additional measure in place, meaning the six cannot enter certain city streets on matchdays. Fiscal depute Emma Petersen told the court that the SPFL fixture was designated an 'increased risk' and a significant amount of police resources were dedicated to ensuring order. The Saltoun Arms, on Park Street, Aberdeen, is known to host travelling supporters on matchdays. At around 2.30pm – two hours before kick-off – all six accused were within the Scotia Bar drinking and socialising with a large group of Dons supporters. As they exited the bar, many of their faces were covered – albeit not the accused – and most wore black outfits. The group moved off as a collective, with some shouting 'keep together', 'keep close' and 'keep on the same side of the pavement'. The police had concerns about the group's direction of travel and made attempts to block their movement. They managed to successfully block the Aberdeen supporters from entering Park Street, but the group turned and ran as a collective through a nearby lane onto Park Place and made it to Park Street. Numerous police resources were deployed to the area to meet the supporters as they arrived outside the Saltoun Arms. By this time, there were more Aberdeen supporters than just the group who left the Scotia Bar together. As they arrived, a large number of Rangers supporters exited the Saltoun Arms. The two groups of supporters goaded each other, and challenges to fight were made. The police eventually managed to separate the groups. A short time later, a group of Aberdeen supporters – including the six accused – ran as a collective along Constitution Street and Rangers supporters ran as a collective along Wales Street. As they came together on South Constitution Street, some Aberdeen and Rangers supporters engaged in a physical fight. None of the accused was seen engaging in physical violence. More than 30 police officers were deployed to the area due to the disorder. Shortly after, the six accused were seen on CCTV returning to the Scotia Bar with other members of the group who had left at the same time. In the dock, Duncan, Emslie, Ross, Seymour, Rogers and Combe pleaded guilty to one charge of causing a breach of the peace. Defence solicitor Michael Horsman told the court that Duncan 'admitted becoming involved in the behaviour' and had been involved in challenging Rangers fans to a fight but was 'not involved in any violence'. Jenny Logan, lawyer for Emslie, stated that her then-21-year-old client's actions that day were down to 'immaturity'. 'He accepts his involvement and takes responsibility for what happened,' she added. George Mathers, Ross's defence solicitor, said his client was not seen to challenge anyone to a fight but was part of the group who marched to the Saltoun Arms. 'He was present at various places where there was trouble,' Mr Mathers conceded, adding: 'But he doesn't challenge anyone.' Defence solicitor for Seymour, Liam McAllister, claimed that any football banning order imposed by the court would have a 'disproportionate impact' on his client, stating that, as part of his bail conditions, he has not been able to attend any football games for more than 600 days. 'This incident has caused Mr Seymour great embarrassment and shame,' he added. Iain Jane, defence solicitor for Rogers, said his client was able to be 'tracked on CCTV as part of this mob' and said that when the group began to disperse, he 'disassociated himself' and went back to the Scotia Bar. 'At no point is he seen to shout or gesticulate,' Mr Jane said. Combe's solicitor, Kevin Longino, told the court that his client had been drinking that day and had shown a 'level of immaturity' at the time of the incident. He said Combe had since stopped drinking alcohol and had 'settled down since then'. However, it was subsequently revealed that Combe had previously been made subject to two football banning orders. Sentencing the group, Sheriff Ian Wallace told them they had left the Scotia Bar that day 'fully intending' to meet up with Rangers supporters and 'challenge them to a fight'. 'The intentions of the group were obvious, and the high risk was clear,' he said. 'You did not just put yourself at risk, you put other supporters, including young families going to the match, at risk. 'The court has a responsibility to protect the public.' As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Wallace made all six men subject to a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and ordered them to each carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He also put a football banning order in place, meaning all six accused cannot attend any Scottish football match for the next 12 months.
