Latest news with #SlobodanRubezic
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Slobodan Rubezic delivers update on Aberdeen future as defender reveals why he went on loan to Serbia
Aberdeen defender Slobodan Rubezic has confirmed he will return to Pittodrie in the summer after his loan spell with Novi Pazar. In February this year the 25-year-old rejoined the Serbian SuperLiga club that had sold him to the Dons. Rubezic confirmed the loan switch was made for personal reasons as he wanted to be closer to home. There have been claims in Serbian media that Novi Pazar have an option to buy Rubezic but it is understood that is not the case. Centre-back Rubezic, who is in regular contact with captain Graeme Shinnie, will return to Pittodrie for pre-season ready to fight for a spot in boss Jimmy Thelin's team. Aberdeen centre-back Slobodan Rubezic is substituted off in the first-half. Image: Shutterstock The defender had slipped down the pecking order following the January transfer window signing of centre-backs Mats Knoester, Kristers Tobers and Alfie Dorrington. On loan Tottenham Hotspur defender Dorrington will return to his parent club at the end of the season. Rubezic cheers on Dons from Serbia Rubezic has been a key player for Novi Pazar who are in the play-offs and battling to secure European qualification. The defender says he is cheering on the Dons from Serbia in their bid to finish third in the Premiership and lift the Scottish Cup. Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic, centre, is enjoying his football again back in Serbia. Image: SNS. He said: 'I'm returning to Aberdeen. 'I'm not burdened with thinking about the summer transfer window and continuing my career. 'I regularly watch Aberdeen when I have the opportunity. 'I hope they fulfil all their goals because they were at the top of the league at the beginning of the season. 'They are currently in a place that leads to Europe and I believe in the end they will manage to climb to third place. 'I will cheer with all my heart that they will win the Scottish Cup in the final with Celtic. 'I regularly hear from Ester Sokler and captain Graeme Shinnie.' Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic and Nicky Devlin celebrate at full-time after beating Dundee 2-1. Image: SNS Aberdeen signed Rubezic in summer 2023 for a fee of around £200,000 from Novi Pazar. He is contracted to the Dons until summer 2026. Why move on loan to Novi Pazar? The defender was a regular first team started in his first 18 months at the club. However Rubezic endured a difficult time in the final weeks before being sent on loan. Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic has a headed chance during a 2-1 win against Motherwell at Pittodrie. Image: SNS The Montenegro international was substituted off in the 40th minute of an error-strewn final appearance for the Dons – a 3-0 home defeat against St Mirren. Asked why he went on loan to his former club, Rubezic said: 'The transfer window had already passed. 'So for some personal reasons I decided to go on loan, and to do it at home. 'Novi Pazar is my second home. 'The people and the city are special, which is why I always like to return to Novi Pazar. 'I've been well received in Pazar as if I was born there. 'When I'm happy and playing well, I feel even better. 'When I heard that Vladimir Gaćinović was coming as coach, I was even more determined to return to Novi Pazar. 'He is someone who gave me a real chance and greatly influenced my development. 'In that way, he contributed to my arrival at Aberdeen. 'The team played brilliantly, and due to his great trust, I had the status I wanted.' Rubezic played all 90 minutes of Novi Pazar's 2-1 play-off win against Partizan on Sunday. Rubezic targets Euro qualification The defender is determined to help guide the Serbian club to European qualification before returning to the Dons. Talking to he said: 'I want to give my maximum contribution. 'I still hope that we can finish in a place that leads to Europe. 'The players deserve that.' Aberdeen will face Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday as Jimmy Thelin's side continue the fight to finish third in the Premiership. Memories of defeating Rangers The Dons are three points behind third-placed Hibs, with the Easter Road club also holding a superior goal advantage. Rubezic rates Aberdeen's 3-1 win at Ibrox in September 2023 as the highlight of his Pittodrie career… so far. He said: 'I was living my dream with the victory over Rangers at Ibrox. 'I remember watching the game between Rangers and Red Star in the Champions League qualifiers as a child. 'Even then I imagined myself playing and winning in that stadium.' Rubezic also insists another highlight of his Aberdeen career was a draw with Celtic at Parkhead earlier this season. Meeting legend Sir Alex Ferguson The Dons were 2-0 down at half-time but fought back to draw 2-2 to maintain the unbeaten start to the season. Defender Rubezic also met Aberdeen and Manchester United legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic celebrates before his goal is ruled out for offside following a VAR check against Ross County. Image: SNS He said: 'After the game with Celtic at Celtic Park I had the honour of meeting the great Sir Alex Ferguson. 'Before that match, we had a streak in which no one could beat us. 'That game also caught Ferguson's attention. 'Meeting such a legend of European and world football, I will remember something like that for the rest of my life.'
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Doohan
Celtic are considering bringing goalkeeper Ross Doohan back to the club when his Aberdeen contract expires in the summer to help meet Champions League regulations on home grown talent. (Glasgow Times), external Montenegro central defender Slobodan Rubezic has confirmed he will be returning to Aberdeen following his loan to former club Novi Pazar. (Daily Record), external Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish Gossip
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Slobodan Rubezic makes Aberdeen FC transfer decision as lifts lid on awe-inspiring Sir Alex Ferguson meeting
The Serbian is currently back in his homeland on loan and revealed his future plans Slobodan Rubezic has confirmed he will be returning to Aberdeen this summer. The defender is currently back on loan at his former club, Novi Pazar, but will head back to Jimmy Thelin 's squad for pre-season. There have been claims in Serbia that Novi Pazar have a purchase option but that is not the case and the Montenegrin international will come back to the Dons. Rubezic, when asked about his future, confirmed: 'I'm returning to Aberdeen. I'm not burdened with thinking about the summer transfer window and continuing my career.' Rubezic confirmed he made the switch to Novi Pazar in the short-term for personal reasons in February. He explained: 'No, the transfer window has already passed, so for some personal reasons I decided to go on loan and to do it at home. 'There is nothing strange. Novi Pazar is my second home. I have never felt so good anywhere in my career as I do here. 'I've been welcomed in Pazar as if I was born there. When I'm happy and playing well, I feel better. That's why I separate Novi Pazar from all the other clubs. 'The people and the city are special, which is why I always like to come back to Novi Pazar.' The big defender has helped Novi Pazar into the play-offs and wants to lead them back into Europe before he packs his back for a return to the Granite City. Rubezic is hoping it will be a European double with Aberdeen joining them in European competition. He is backing Thelin's side to finish third in the Premiership and to go on and lift the Scottish Cup, with the final against Celtic. He claimed: 'I am regularly interested (in Aberdeen) and watch when I have the opportunity. 'I hope to fulfill all the goals, I know that they were the highest at the beginning of the season. "They are currently in a place that leads to Europe, I believe that in the end they will manage to climb to third place. 'I will support them with all my heart and hope they will win the cup in the final with Celtic. 'I regularly hear from Slovenian Ester Sokler and captain Graeme Shinnie.' Aberdeen head to Rangers this Sunday looking for a big win. Rubezic was part of Barry Robson's side who went there and won 3-1 last season. The centre half reckons that has been his Aberdeen highlight so far. The 25-year-old insisted: 'That was the victory over Rangers at Ibrox Park. What an atmosphere it was. I was living my dream. 'I remember watching the match between Rangers and Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League qualifiers as a child. Even then, I imagined myself playing and winning at that stadium.' Another big result on the other side of Glasgow this season, allowed Rubezic the chance to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, after the 2-2 draw at Celtic back in October. Rubezic, speaking to recalled: 'I was most proud of my performance and that of the team at the aforementioned match against Celtic. 'After the game with Celtic at Celtic Park (2-2), I had the honour of meeting the great (Sir Alex) Ferguson. 'Before that match, we had a streak in which no one could beat us. That game also caught Ferguson's attention. 'When I happen to meet such a legend of European and world football, I will remember something like that for the rest of my life.'
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Novi Pazar unlikely to be able to afford Rubezic'
Reports in Serbia claim Novi Pazar have the option to sign Aberdeen centre-half Slobodan Rubezic, who is on loan at his former club, on a permanent deal this summer, but they are unlikely to be able to afford the required fee for the 25-year-old. (Press & Journal), externalAberdeen winger Shayden Morris, who is contracted until summer 2026, is ready to talk about extending his stay at Pittodrie. (Press & Journal), externalRead Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rubezic not drawn on Aberdeen exit
Slobodan Rubezic admits "many people find my decision strange" to re-join Novi Pazar on loan, but the 24-year-old centre-half says he does not want to talk publicly about the personal issues that led to his surprise departure from Aberdeen. (National)Novi Pazar do not have the option to buy Rubezic, who has been dealing with matters outside of football, at the end of the defender's loan from Aberdeen this summer. (Record), external Read Saturday's Scottish gossip
