Latest news with #WillieMiller
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Pundits react to calamitous Iceland defeat
Michael Stewart on BBC Radio Scotland: "Very difficult [situation for Steve Clarke to manage Cieran Slicker now]."There is another game coming up, Angus Gunn looks like he's not going to be fit, and I think it is quite apparent that it will be a big call."Do you stick with him and hope he can put in a performance that gives him some belief and feels like he's capable, or do you go for damage limitation and recognise that he's not really going to be playing for Scotland in the future and give Robby McCrorie an opportunity?"I don't think there's a right or wrong way to play this. I feel for Slicker, it's a horrible situation to be in, but that is the ruthlessness of football at this top level, and it's been exposed there badly."Willie Miller on BBC Radio Scotland: "You have to find out what's in the player's mind as well, how he's feeling about it."What you're looking for is honesty from him [Slicker]. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn't want to?"Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?"There are a lot of questions there, and I think it's difficult for us to answer what decision the manager should make without knowing all of the facts and without having spoken to the player himself."Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes on BBC Scotland: "Football is a lot about momentum."When you're playing you need to be winning games. When you don't win them, and you're not winning, you don't perform, it's extra hurt, it's extra eyes looking in."I think we need to go back to our basics. We've been here before, people doubted us all the time. We need to make sure we get back to it and get the hunger back."Former Scotland forward James McFadden on BBC One Scotland: "There has to be a concern."We need to start building momentum going into this qualification campaign because it is a tough group."Former Scotland forward Steven Thompson on BBC One Scotland: "We're getting closer to the real stuff and it's been so long since we qualified for a World you go back only a very short period of time Steve Clarke could do no is still a defeat, at home, to a weaker nation than ourselves and questions will be asked. When you go into proper World Cup qualifying, these performances won't be tolerated.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Watch Dons legend Miller celebrate cup triumph
Watch Aberdeen legend Willie Miller react to the penalty shootout win over Celtic as the Dons end their 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory.
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."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Thelin has 'clear strategy' to upset Celtic
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin tells Dons legend Willie Miller about his hopes of a famous Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic this the Scottish Cup final across BBC Sport, with live coverage on BBC One Scotland, Radio Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Press and Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
In pictures: City centre businesses don Aberdeen colours ahead of Scottish Cup final
The Granite City has been decked out in red and white ahead of Aberdeen's Scottish Cup final against Celtic. Businesses in the city centre are flying flags and modelling strips to show support for the Dons. Fans will be out in their thousands at Hampden this weekend, so prominent shops, barbers and pubs are making sure the occasion is also marked at home. Hopefully, the whole city will be a sea of red and white post-match with a victory parade for the Dons. Here are just some of the businesses donning red and white: Chris Mann, who works at Attic Clothing on Union Street, said: 'There's definitely been a buzz with customers. 'We got the Willie Miller tops back in stock, which have been so popular. 'I'm chuffed with how our display is looking, too. 'A lot of the shirts featured are from my personal collection, and we even managed to get hold of a load of old programmes too. 'It's great to just get involved with something like this, and we'll be cheering on the Dons all the way.' Chantal Necchi, from Gios at La Lombarda, said: 'My kids are going along to the final, so I wanted to get involved in some way. 'I know someone at Pittodrie, and they helped us out with the flags and I'm really happy with how it turned out. 'If we get a victory parade, the bus should head past us which will be really special.' Conor Wallace from Signature menswear said: 'People have been stopping by, taking photos in the window, which has been great. 'The sheep have been kept well inflated, everyone has been wanting a picture. 'We've had such a good response. We didn't have a lot of red items but we gambled and asked our suppliers to get some more in. 'They've proved really popular and we have limited sizes remaining.' Cammy Morrison from Mr Dun Barbers said: 'I've definitely had more football chat than normal this last week, which is difficult to do! 'It seems whether people are into football or not, they are speaking about the game and the vibe it brings to the city in the build-up. 'Working right in the city centre, we can really see that. 'The people I've spoken to all seem keen to make a day of it regardless of the result, so they have been in getting their fresh haircuts in preparation. 'I've supported the dons my entire life, so when I saw the club teaming up with the city to paint the town red, I was all over the idea, any excuse to wear a Dons top to work. 'What will be will be on Saturday, but if you can't be optimistic going down to see your team in a final, what's the point in loving football? 'Anything can happen.'
