Latest news with #AntePalaversa
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Aberdeen looked 'sharp' in their first friendly, says Thelin
Aberdeen looked "sharp" in their first pre-season friendly, says manager Jimmy Thelin, as his side defeated League 1 Cove Rangers by two Palaversa and Nicky Devlin netted for the Dons on Saturday in their first outing since lifting the Scottish Cup in May. "It was good to have this opportunity to get everybody playing time," Thelin said."We're going to have some other games now ahead of us, and it's going to be more and more intense. "I think everybody's looking sharp. It's still early and we have things to improve on. The main thing today was how the team build up and how we helped and supported each other."We have been working on being more available on the pitch to create some relations. Their relations and the connections inside that we share the same picture on the pitch and I think the players help each other. "It's good to be back, and it's nice to see everyone. Hopefully we can create something good this season."
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ante Palaversa in X-rated Aberdeen celebration as BBC forced to abandon interview
The Croat couldn't hide his joy on air after the Hampden triumph There were wild scenes at full-time after Aberdeen stunned Celtic - and Ante Palaversa couldn't help but get caught up in the celebrations. Jimmy Thelin ended 35 years of Scottish Cup pain as he led the Dons to a famous Hampden victory over the Premiership champions in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Dimitar Mitov was the hero after denying Alistair Johnston and Callum McGregor from 12 yards to claim the trophy - but the Red Army were not shy in dishing out adulation to their heroes. After Graeme Shinnie had lifted the silverware, the captain and his teammates took the famous old trophy on a tour of the Hampden turf while being interviewed about the achievement. In the wake of stunning Celtic, Alasdair Lamont quizzed 25-year-old Palaversa: "How does it feel to have won the Scottish Cup?" The delighted Don live on air: "This is f****** amazing. This is f****** history..." Lamont quickly interjected to cut off the Croatian: "I think I will have to stop there - but you can tell that Ante Palaversa is a happy man." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Press and Journal
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Live blog: Rangers v Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin's side bid to close the gap on third-place Hibernian
Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen are at Ibrox to take on Rangers as they look to close the gap on third-place Hibernian. The Dons suffered a 1-0 loss at St Mirren on their last outing and will be looking to bounce back against Barry Ferguson's side. Follow all the build-up, action and reaction from today's encounter at Ibrox in our live blog. Former Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is at Ibrox to take in today's game amid speculation he could be making the move from Kilmarnock to Tynecastle to become the new Hearts manager. He is on media duties for Sky Sports today. Jimmy Thelin has shuffled his pack following the defeat in Paisley with four changes. Into the starting line-up come Latvia international Kristers Tobers, Dante Polvara, Jamie McGrath and Oday Dabbagh. Ante Palaversa, Kevin Nisbet and player of the year Shayden Morris drop to the bench, while on-loan Tottenham defender Alfie Dorrington misses out. The Dons have struggled away from Pittodrie this season and have won just two of the last 16 Premiership matches on the road. Midfielder Ante Palaversa has warned Aberdeen must fix their away day woes to keep alive the bid to finish third in the Premiership. The 25-year-old said: 'We have to change that mentality as a team and go to win away games like we're winning the home games.' Read our interview with the Aberdeen midfielder here. It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the north sides who were in action yesterday. Ross County's relegation fears deepened with a seventh successive defeat after going down 2-1 at bottom of the league St Johnstone. You can read Andy Skinner's report from McDiarmid Park and Don Cowie's post-match thoughts here. Elgin City's hopes of winning promotion from League Two are over despite winning 2-1 at Annan yesterday wit Allan Hale's side going down 5-4 on aggregate. But it was a better day for Cove Rangers who defeated Queen of the South 2-1 to set-up a showdown with Airdrieonians in the Championship play-off final.
Press and Journal
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen midfielder Ante Palaversa addresses troubled away form ahead of trip to Ibrox
Midfielder Ante Palaversa has warned Aberdeen must fix their away day woes to keep alive the bid to finish third in the Premiership. The Dons have struggled away from Pittodrie this season and have won just two of the last 16 Premiership matches on the road. With two of the remaining three league fixtures away from home, Palaversa accepts that dismal form must end. Aberdeen face Rangers away on Sunday before a home clash against Celtic on Wednesday. The Premiership campaign ends with a trip to Dundee United next weekend. Croatian midfielder Palaversa revealed boss Jimmy Thelin and his team have worked on ways to find a solution to their travel sickness. The 25-year-old said: 'It is important that we improve our away form. 'We haven't won a lot of away games so we have to change that. 'We have to change that mentality as a team and go to win away games like we're winning the home games.' Aberdeen suffered another away setback when losing 1-0 to St Mirren last weekend. The Reds failed to muster a single shot in a defeat that delivered a hammer blow to hopes of finishing third in the Premiership. Third-placed Hibs are three points ahead of the Dons. Asked if Aberdeen need to be more clinical away from home, Palaversa said: 'Yes, I will take that point for away games. 'So, even if you play badly in an away game, you still have two or three really good chances to score, 'I think you have to be clinical and you have to score even if you have a bad game. 'In the remaining games, we have to be sharp, give everything and not give anything away.' Sunday's clash at Ibrox is a showdown between a team struggling to win on the road against a team who cannot win at home. Rangers are in the midst of a seven-game winless run in all competitions at Ibrox. Former Manchester City midfielder Palaversa expect a hostile reception from Rangers fanbase who have not seen their side win at home since early February. However, he hopes to silence the home crowd early on. He said: 'It can be quite hostile. 'Rangers are at home so it will be a totally different atmosphere from the last time we played them (2-2, Pittodrie in April). 'We have to be on a much higher level than the rest of the games we've been playing. 'I think if we can produce some good action in the first couple of minutes, it will be very tough for them.' Palaversa has forged a strong partnership alongside Leighton Clarkson in recent games in the midfield two of a 4-2-3-1 formation. Aberdeen were on course for a valuable win against Rangers when leading 2-0 at Pittodrie last month. However, 10-man Rangers fought back to secure a 2-2 draw with the leveller coming in the 96th minute. Were lessons learned from that setback? He said: 'Yes, to be ready for all 90-and-plus minutes. 'The game is not finished until the referee's whistle blows. 'We have to be prepared for all kinds of moments in the game. 'It is a mental thing. 'We were disappointed a lot in that game against Rangers because we were really good. 'I think we were better, but football is football. 'You never know what the result is going to be after 90 minutes. 'So we have to be ready again on Sunday, on everything.' Palaversa initially signed for the Dons last summer on a one-year deal from French club Troyes. Aberdeen had an option of an additional two years. The Reds triggered that option in January with the midfielder signing an extension to remain at Pittodrie until the summer of 2027. Palaversa is determined to play in Europe with Aberdeen next season. He said: 'Europe means a lot. 'First of all, I want to qualify for Europe for the team. 'And then, for me personally, I want to play in Europe next season. 'We will give everything for that.'
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ante Palaversa tells Aberdeen pals how they can turn Rangers atmosphere early as Jimmy Thelin message revealed
The Dons have won just two away games in the league since September with three huge games to go in the race for third sport Ante Palaversa knows if Aberdeen are to have any chance of coming away with third place then they need to go to Ibrox and win. The Dons have won just two away games in the league since September and that sees them trail Hibs by three points in the fight to finish best of the rest. Two of their final three games see them on their travels and Palaversa knows they have to be a big improvement on their form outside of the Granite City. Aberdeen are away to Rangers on Sunday, then entertain Celtic and head to Dundee United on the final day of the season. The Croatian frustratingly said: 'The coach has said we have three finals. We have to be sharp, give everything and not give anything away.' 'I really don't know the answer, but I think we're going to improve that in the future with our away games. 'It's just about how we're going to win the away games because we haven't won a lot. So we have to change that. 'We have to change that mentality as a team and go to win away games like we're winning the home games.' A big issue has been goals away from Pittodrie. They have netted just four since the start of January and need to provide more of a cutting edge. 'I will take that point for away games,' Palavesa claimed. 'So even if you play badly in an away game, you still have two or three really good chances to score. 'You have to be clinical. You have to score that, even if you have a bad game, for example. It's important.' The good thing for Aberdeen is that Rangers' home form is equally as bad. They haven't won at Ibrox since February. The former Manchester City player claimed: 'I think if we can produce some good action in the first couple of minutes, it will be very tough for them as well. 'It can be quite hostile, exactly, it will be a totally different atmosphere, a different game. They are also at home. 'We have to be on a much higher level than the rest of the games we've been playing.' Aberdeen dropped two invaluable points when Rangers came from 2-0 behind to force a stoppage time leveller at Pittodrie last time out. The midfielder knows his team were made to pay that day. He admitted: 'To be ready for all 90 and plus minutes. The game is not finished until the referee's whistle blows. 'We have to be prepared for all kinds of moments in the game. It is a mental thing. 'We were disappointed a lot because we were really good. I think we played that game at a really good level. 'I think we were better, but football is football. You never know what the result is going to be after 90 minutes. So we have to be ready again on Sunday, on everything.' Aberdeen still have the Scottish Cup final to come as well but Palaversa wants a European place tied up ASAP. His last taste of it was Hajduk Split. He stated: 'It means a lot, of course. 'First of all, I want to, as a team and me personally, I want to finish Europe with Aberdeen to play there next year. 'We will give everything for that. I played when I was starting professional football in 2018 or 2019. 'The first game was in Split (against Slavia Sofia), I think. Something like that. I can't remember.' Aberdeen welcome back Kristers Tobers and Alexander Jensen from injury. Thelin added: 'He (Tobers) was much better this week than he was last week, so with the tight week we have coming up I think he will be available for one of those games. 'We will need to share the load between the players, it's Sunday to Saturday so we need to be clever and keep the energy high."
