Latest news with #DaveCormack
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Aberdeen could add seven signings, says Cormack
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says up to seven new signings could arrive at Pittodrie this summer as they plan for guaranteed European football through the first half of next Dons' Scottish Cup final triumph over Celtic means they have a Europa League play-off and, should they lose, will drop into the Conference club have already signed goalkeeper Nick Suman and winger Nicolas Milanovic."Yeah, I would think that anything between five and seven players, maybe at this stage," Cormack told Graham Speirs' podcast Press Box., external"It's great that with [chief executive] Alan Burrows and [director of football] Steven Gunn being there, they're the guys that are working with the recruitment team on this."Because obviously [there are] a number of loan players that we brought in and one or two players kind of out of contract."So from what I'm seeing, I'm really impressed with the work the team are doing."Cormack also didn't rule out a return for 20-year-old defender Alfie Dorrington, who made 16 appearances after arriving on loan from Tottenham in added: "I know Spurs have been, as I understand it from Steven and Alan, delighted with his loan. "It's the first time the boy's been away from home in London, and he told me a number of times he's absolutely loved being away on his own, and he looks after himself as a player as well. "So we'll just have to wait and see on that one."Getting balance through the squad is also key for Cormack, who reckons the club are well placed to build in their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years."In terms of squad planning, we're in the best shape we've been since I've been back involved with the club almost eight years ago," he said."We've got a clear squad planning of core players through to development players model, and it's going to take us about another 12 to 24 months to get that there, but following that strategy is important."
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Scottish Cup success and European riches can propel Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen to the next level
YOU may not be able to put a price on a winning feeling, but the financial benefit of success in football has never been easier to discern. As Aberdeen's open top bus weaved its way through an estimated 100,000 people in the Granite City on Sunday, no one associated with the club was minded doing anything other than drink in the moment. After a 35-year wait to see the Scottish Cup paraded along Union Street, and 11 years on from winning the League Cup, this was all about the sheer glory. Once the dust settles - and that may take some time - chairman Dave Cormack and chief executive Alan Burrows will plot the next chapter having already run some impressive numbers in their minds. Saturday's victory for the Dons wasn't just a blow for Celtic supporters who turned up anticipating seeing the third leg of a sixth treble in nine years knocked off. The unexpected outcome also adversely affected Hibs and Dundee United. David Gray's side were bumped down from the Europa League play-off to the second qualifying round. Despite finishing one place above the Dons in the Premiership in fourth spot, United are now bound for the second qualifying round of the Conference League rather than the Europa. Not only will the European campaigns at Easter Road and Tannadice now start in late July, both teams have several hurdles to clear to be assured of group stage football until Christmas. Aberdeen no longer have to concern themselves with that. Now set to enter the Europa League at the play-off round, Jimmy Thelin's side are in enviable win/win territory. While their likely non-seeding will be a disadvantage, a kind draw against, say, the likes of Belgian side Genk, would give them a decent opportunity of going through. That gets you £3.6m without kicking a ball on top of the £252,000 for participating in the play-off. You're then guaranteed eight matches in the mono-group with the four home games almost certain to be sell-outs. At last check, the prize money for a win was £379,201 with £126,400 for a draw. Although it's evidently performance related, the Pittodrie coffers would be swollen by anything north of £6m. Were Thelin's men to lose the play-off and drop into the Conference League, the financial rewards would be less yet still considerable. There's an automatic £2.6m cheque in the post just for turning up in the group stage on top of the play-off cash. Then it's £337,067 a win and £112,075 a draw. The fact there are only six matches in the lesser competition means there's less scope for accruing prize money through ticket sales and hospitality. Nonetheless, with three home games, Aberdeen would still expect to be at least £5m better off for their trouble. In Scottish football's restricted financial environment, that's a lot of guaranteed income. The feel-good factor emanating from Saturday's historic win will also translate into more pounds and pence. After securing Thelin last summer, the Dons broke through the 10,000-mark for season ticket sales for the first time in their history. Before they'd even set foot in Hampden, the number for next season was already above 11,000. The sold-out signs were a regular feature of home matches as the Swede took the Premiership by storm last August. That would seem certain to continue on the back of the incredible scenes witnessed across the weekend. The club's marketing department also have an open goal to cash-in on the storied triumph. The till in the club shop should me merrily ringing as commemorative tee-shirts, flags, scarves and mugs are snapped up until hostilities resume. Spending all this welcome money is not the concern. It's spending it wisely. Although Aberdeen have backed Thelin in successive transfer windows, the squad needs strengthening. Jack MacKenzie is out of contract and is set to sign for League One Plymouth. Jamie McGrath is off to Hibs. Back-up keeper Ross Doohan is rejoining Celtic. Jeppe Okkels, top-scorer Kevin Nisbet and Alfie Dorrington and are due to return to Preston, Millwall and Tottenham, respectively, now their loan deals have expired. Each would command prohibitive transfer fees meaning a further loan deal is the most likely means of each player returning. Oday Dabbagh is set to go back to Charleroi although Aberdeen have secured an option to buy. Thelin will have Gavin Molloy, Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Ester Sokler back from injury at the start of pre-season. He'll also have to make a call on whether Slobodan Rubezic has any future at the club after his loan spell at Novi Pazar. Although Saturday's victory means the club has more time to weigh up such matters, it's hard to overstate the importance of the squad being properly equipped for what lies ahead. Two years ago, having stormed up the Premiership table to finish third, Barry Robson found European football to be as much a curse as a blessing. The Dons had eight European matches that season. They won just one of the bread-and-butter league games which came immediately after them, drawing only twice. With the club unable to make the top six, Robson paid with his job. It was the same story at Tynecastle in the season just gone. Hearts also had eight European matches. Their record in league games immediately following them? Won one, drew two, lost five. Both Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley will tell you what happened next. While Hibs and United might have similar concerns to deal with, St Mirren and Hearts, to name but two likely top six contenders, will not. Notwithstanding his side's arduous schedule, Thelin will be expected to challenge for third place. To do so, he'll need a larger squad filled with players who can cope with the mental challenge of playing Thursday-Sunday. Nicolas Milanovic, who's joining from Western Sydney Wanderers, needs to be just the first piece in the jigsaw. Although assembling it will be a challenge for all concerned, these are the kind of problems everyone in the game wants to have on their plates. It helps Thelin no end, of course, that he now has a major honour to fall back on. It was the steady improvement he oversaw at Elfsborg across six years that first caught Aberdeen's eye and ensured the backing of the fanbase never really wavered when he endured a 12-game winless run. Having come painfully close to winning the title in his homeland, he finally got on the winner's podium in his adopted home on Saturday. As the red half of Hampden will forever testify, there are some feelings which money cannot buy.
Scotsman
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Dave Cormack makes major Aberdeen Scottish Cup comparison, puts in £8m and makes transfer vow
Chairman knows how vital it is to equip squad for next season Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack believes Aberdeen's Scottish Cup triumph 'is up there' with the club's famous European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1983 as he vowed to continue backing manager Jimmy Thelin financially next season. The Dons chief was present at Hampden on Saturday to watch Aberdeen end a 35-year wait for the Scottish Cup. They defeated treble-chasing Celtic 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, also securing at least main-phase Conference League football in the process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cormack was a fan back in 1983 when Aberdeen overcame Real Madrid 2-1 in Gothenburg for one of the Pittodrie side's greatest successes and the 66-year-old likened what he witnessed over the weekend, with Aberdeen parading the trophy in front of their supporters, to that great night in Sweden. Dave Cormack, centre, has vowed to back his Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin, left. | SNS Group 'This is right up there with Gothenburg,' Cormack said. 'I was at Gothenburg, this is a different era, but it's up there because it's been such a long time. Thirty-five years is too long for the Scottish Cup. It makes all the tough times and things you go through worthwhile.' With Aberdeen now facing more matches due to their European commitments, Cormack recognised the need to make sure the squad is equipped for the challenges ahead. 'Hearts and Aberdeen have both struggled with league form in the European group stages,' conceded Cormack. 'We need to sort that this season so we can play Thursday and Sunday without it impacting us. We have learned a lot from the last time, you need such a strong squad to deal with it. We have to have squad rotation with a good squad and that means investment. It will happen, absolutely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More investment for Aberdeen 'We backed Jimmy last summer and in January. My family have put another £8 million into the club, we'll get £5 million gross from being in Europe. So we have a clear plan of what we want to do.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pundits react to Aberdeen's penalty shootout heroics
Here's how BBC Scotland's cast of pundits reacted to the Dons' cup final win:Aberdeen legend Willie Miller: "It's brilliant goalkeeping isn't it, from him. He's got a huge stretch, Mitov. He's a tall figure and if he guesses the right way and you're hitting it low then it's going to be really difficult for that to end in the back of the net."The penalty kicks from Aberdeen were quite sensational. Three of them were out of this world. The doubters were all out there. I tell you what, what a magnificent afternoon for my old club."Fantastic for the club, fantastic for Jimmy Thelin, fantastic for Dave Cormack and wonderful for these fans that are down here celebrating. This is something special, 35 years in the making. It's quite incredible."The underdogs, the total underdogs. Nobody including their dogs gave Aberdeen a chance of lifting this trophy, maybe apart from me, and they've done it."Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner: "Well, well, well. What a good save, although it wasn't the best penalty to finish."You could see the nerves, you could see the pressure on Alistair Johnston. Dimitar Mitov comes up with the two big saves in the game."Brilliant penalties. You probably wouldn't expect Aberdeen to hit them so well. The last penalty was a really tired penalty. Callum McGregor's was well struck but it was a good height for the goalkeeper."Aberdeen deserved it from the point of view that of the way that they changed their structure, changed the way they were going to play. They defended their box well when they had to do it. They got their goal and then they hung in there."Celtic had the big chance with Maeda going through. That was the big one and they had the shots off the post and off the crossbar. They had the better chances, Celtic - probably - more control of the game but it just didn't click for them today."Former Scotland forward James McFadden: "Not many people gave Aberdeen any hope of winning this cup today. But when it comes to a cup final, you just never know."It is a time for heroes - Mitov is the hero this afternoon. But it was a monumental effort from Aberdeen as a squad to get over the line."It's been such a long time coming. What a season they've had - up and down, and what an end."Scotland captain Rachel Corsie: "Just listening to Mitov, the credit he gives to the manager. Players don't say that lightly."He pays a lot of testament to the fact players trusted him. He did something different today and it worked."The last few times they've played Celtic, they've been out of it by half time. He knew that wasn't an option today, they couldn't put themselves in that position."Former Scotland and Celtic captain Scott Brown: "Form goes out the window in a cup final. We've all been disappointed after a cup final, it's how Celtic bounce back."Winning trebles isn't easy. Aberdeen needed a bit of luck, but their defensive unit was really good throughout the game and the manager got the tactics spot on."It wasn't pretty over the 120 minutes, but there's no pictures on the cup at the end of the day."Former Scotland international Leanne Crichton: "It really is unbelievable stuff. Look at the fans, the players, they didn't know how to react."That's the beauty of football, that's what makes it so incredible on an afternoon like this."
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Aberdeen folk ain't the sunniest of lots but fair play to Dave Cormack for his actions against an ominous prospect
There's a glass of milk sitting on a table. The optimist will say it's half full. The pessimist will claim it's half empty. The Aberdeen fan will rage that some Weegie has scudded half his milk. They are not always the sunniest of lots in the North East but they shouldn't half be happy to get their equal share of Hampden in a few weeks. Fair play to the Dandies. Plenty of – west coast – folk scoffed when they demanded a 50/50 split with Celtic for the Scottish Cup Final with Dave Cormack promising to stump up if they fell short. But it was an easy claim for Cormack. He knows his club and its supporters and he wouldn't have been too surprised to see the job lot gone in less than eight hours. There's nothing pessimistic about that. Aberdeen fans could have been forgiven for having some reluctance over this one. Everyone and their granny has practically handed Celtic the Treble already. Most reckon Brendan Rodgers' men just need to turn up to get their hands on yet another trophy. It's maybe understandable. Celtic are an ominous prospect. They've romped the league and smacked Aberdeen about often enough. The Dons dared to pinch a point at Parkhead when they ended Rodgers' winning league start earlier in the campaign and a few weeks later they spitefully rifled six past them in response in the League Cup semis. There was another five goal thumping in Glasgow to follow and that's on the back of another six goal stuffing last term. Aberdeen are in Glasgow today to take on old chums Rangers at Ibrox and while they have given the Light Blues a ton of grief over the years, they've been Parkhead punchbags too many times. And that's what makes the Scottish Cup snap up so impressive. That's extreme optimism for you, rather than the stereotypical Granite City expected doom. Sure, deep down they might actually expect to head home empty handed, but there was no chance they wouldn't be at Hampden in case the unimaginable did happen. It has to at some time. Aberdeen have been waiting far too long to get their bits on this trophy. Maggie Thatcher was still in No.10 the last time they lifted the thing and 35 years is way too long regardless of the shifting financial landscape over the decades. The Dons have watched too many others being successful during their long shut out. It's okay saying it's about time, it's another actually doing it though. Celtic will have a few weeks to rest bodies and refresh minds for the big one. Aberdeen have a fight for third to sort out. It could be a blessing. Jimmy Thelin's season has been one of the great enigmas. There was some fanciful chat about a title challenge last Autumn, but the wheels didn't just come off – they entire jalopy fell to bits. The Swede managed to do a repair job just in time to get back in the fight to be best of the rest, but there's still some warning lights flashing. Aberdeen have been flaky at the back and that's not something they can afford against a Celtic side that's now smashed more than 100 goals this term. Thelin might be low key in front of a camera but he likes his teams to attack. That might not be the best plan for Hampden. Studying the way Rangers have played against Celtic in recent derbies could be a smarter move. Thelin will get to see Celts up close at Pittodrie on Wednesday but don't bank on this one revealing much. Rodgers has hinted he wants to see if some of the club's youngsters have the chops for that kind of encoutner so it'll be a completely different look. Today's Ibrox clash might be a better dummy run. You wouldn't bet against the Dons adding more misery on a Rangers side desperately crawling towards the summer. Dons fans will be travelling to Glasgow in hope – and it'll be the same at Hampden. And it's not a given that their half glass of milk will turn sour.
