Latest news with #ex-Dons
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass has been appointed as No2 to former Celtic star
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass has been appointed as Robbie Keane's No.2 at Hungarian champions Ferencvaros. And the ex-Dons boss admits he already feels at home with the Budapest club. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 3 Glass lasted less than a year at Aberdeen Credit: PA 3 Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane Credit: Getty 3 Ferencvaros are in the Champions League next season Credit: Getty Glass was sacked at Pittodrie after just 11 months in charge in February 2022, with Aberdeen sitting ninth in the league and having just been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Motherwell. The 49-year-old returned to management at USL Championship club Memphis 901, but the club folded last year. Now he's been handed the opportunity to be assistant manager to former Celtic loan striker and Ireland legend Keane. The 44-year-old led Ferencvaros to the Hungarian title and will play in the Champions League this upcoming season. Glass said: "When Robbie called me, I looked at the club closely. "I was already well aware of the history of Ferencvaros, even coming from Scotland. "They are a famous club and I have been given this opportunity to help the club do better. "We have big games coming up in the Champions League and we are hoping to win another title too. "The city is beautiful, the people have been very friendly and I am happy to be here and the club have been so welcoming. "I actually played here over 30 years ago for a Scotland Under 21s game and scored! Aberdeen brutally troll EVERY Premiership rival with video including Celtic captain crying & Rangers TV's 'corrupt' clip "I know we have to win and I am here to help Robbie as much as possible." And 146-times capped Keane is looking forward to working with Glass, who replaced his former No.2 Rory Delap who returned to England for family reasons. He added: "Stephen is very experienced and he's been around for a long time. "He's been a manager and knows the game inside out. "He's very good with people, which is really important. He'll be great to be around. "His knowledge of football is very high and I am looking forward to working with him." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Ex-Celtic hero appoints former Aberdeen boss as assistant
And the ex-Dons boss admits he already feels at home with the Budapest club. Glass was sacked at Pittodrie after just 11 months in charge in February 2022 with Aberdeen sitting ninth in the league and having just been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Motherwell. Read more: The 49-year-old returned to management at USL Championship club Memphis 901, but the club folded last year. Now he's been handed the opportunity to be assistant manager to former Celtic loan striker and Ireland legend Keane, who led Ferencvaros to the Hungarian title and will play in the Champions League this upcoming season. Glass said: "When Robbie called me, I looked at the club closely. I was already well aware of the history of Ferencvaros, even coming from Scotland. "They are a famous club and I have been given this opportunity to help the club do better. "We have big games coming up in the Champions League and we are hoping to win another title too. "The city is beautiful, the people have been very friendly and I am happy to be here and the club have been so welcoming. "I actually played here over 30 years ago for a Scotland Under 21s game and scored! "I know we have to win and I am here to help Robbie as much as possible." And 146-times capped Keane is looking forward to working with Glass, who replaced his former No.2 Rory Delap who returned to England for family reasons. He added: "Stephen is very experienced and he's been around for a long time. He's been a manager and knows the game inside out. "He's very good with people, which is really important. He'll be great to be around. "His knowledge of football is very high and I am looking forward to working with him."
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aberdeen tell former star signing he is free to find another club – but there's a catch
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABERDEEN have told Vicente Besuijen he is free to find another club. The Dutch winger suffered an injury-hit season last term. 2 Vicente Besuijen was merely a spectator as Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Besuijen in some limited action against East Kilbride last summer Credit: Michael Schofield He has a year remaining on his Pittodrie deal but SunSport understands Dons boss Jimmy Thelin has told the former youth international he can leave. The Scottish Cup winners bought the Colombian-born from ADO Den Haag in January 2022. While they will allow him to move for nothing, it's thought they will insert a clause which would see them recoup some of their cash if he is sold in the future. Besuijen, 24, grabbed seven goals for the Dons under Jim Goodwin at the start of the 2022-23 season. But he was shipped out on loan to Eredivisie club Excelsior Rotterdam for the second half of that campaign. They chose not to take up an option to buy Besuijen and he then joined Dutch second tier Emmen for the second half of the 2023-24 season. He returned to the Dons 12 months ago and looked to be reviving his Pittodrie career under Thelin after netting two goals in 15 games. But a knee injury sustained against St Johnstone in December needed surgery which ruled him out for the rest of the season. That could now be the last time he kicks a ball for the Dons. We told you yesterday how Thelin was planning a swoop for Cape Verde star Ilano Silva Timas - who has played alongside ex-Dons striker Duk at international level. Eric Black on losing love for football & the ex-Celtic star who's the best he's ever seen Duk left Pittodrie earlier this year to join Leganes of La Liga. The Dons have already brought in Nicolas Milanovic, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Nick Suman and Kusini Yengi this summer. And reports in the Netherlands have stated they are in a battle with newly promoted Excelsior to land Maastricht ace Timas. Timas, 22, went from playing amateur football to international football within the space of 12 months in a remarkable rise. He was picked up by Maastricht in the second tier of Dutch football and scored six goals and made seven assists during the season. That earned him a call-up to the Cape Verde Islands and he made his international bow last month in a friendly against Malaysia. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Willie Miller: Aberdeen fan rightly condemned over Jack MacKenzie horror moment - but Dundee United responsible, too
Dundee United should not escape criticism over the incident which led to Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie being hurt by a chair-throwing Dons fan – and I hope the authorities now move to stop dangerous pitch invasions. Saturday's clash at Tannadice was marred by the concerning injury suffered by MacKenzie during the full-time pitch invasion from United supporters – who were celebrating their win, fourth-place Premiership finish and European qualification. To be clear, I condemn the Aberdeen supporter who hurled part of a seat towards the pitch, which was clearly aimed at the rival fans. I hope they are found and punished severely for an action which could have robbed MacKenzie of his sight in one eye, or caused other lasting damage to the player or somebody else. At the same time, though, surely it was also the responsibility of home side United to ensure the safety of both players and fans at their stadium by preventing their supporters from entering the park? Was there messaging and sufficient stewarding to stop it happening? And what about Police Scotland? United – and ex-Dons – boss Jim Goodwin talked about the injury sustained by his former player MacKenzie and also having 'a number of objects thrown at me throughout the season by the Aberdeen supporters and nothing has been done about it.' However, what he didn't mention was the home fans' behaviour in storming the pitch. Ultimately, if the pitch invasion was prevented, there would have been no United supporters goading the visiting section and the MacKenzie incident would not have occurred. I am horrified by the growing complacency across Scottish football to just allow fans to come on to the field of play, with pitch invasions becoming more and more commonplace. Supporters of Premiership survivors Dundee also ran on the pitch at McDiarmid Park at the weekend. And, in the final part of last season, their were similar incidents at both Tannadice from United fans and with St Mirren supporters in Paisley. It is unacceptable for fans to be on the park and the SPFL (who released a statement on Saturday but only mentioned the 'moronic' behaviour of the Aberdeen chair-thrower) should be taking a zero-tolerance approach when clubs allow it to happen. PFA Scotland chief Fraser Wishart, rightly, took the broader view about fans' behaviour in his comments, condemning the 'mentality' of the Dons fan seat-thrower – but also saying he has been 'warning' people for a 'long time' about the risks of players getting hurt. He said: 'I think over the whole season we have seen incidents and our members endangered on the field of play and this one is after the game as well, so something has to be done here.' I am seeing varying degrees pitch invasions across Scottish football all of the time now, when goals are scored and after games. One place I haven't seen them is at Pittodrie – but my attitude would be the same if Aberdeen fans were being allowed to come on to the park in their thousands at the final whistle. What's the point in supporters players and both sets of supporters being segregated if we're just going to allow them to get at each other after full-time? I've got no problem with fans celebrating their team's success. But there's a way to do it. It was a shame Saturday's pitch invasion and the MacKenzie incident prevented the United players from coming back out to be applauded for their impressive achievements this season. It also meant the Aberdeen players could not thank their supporters for continuing to follow them during what was a difficult end to the Premiership campaign. Hopefully after a prime example of the dangers presented by pitch invasions and related behaviour on Saturday, there is now a campaign and better efforts from clubs and the authorities to address the situation to keep people – including players – safe. Aberdeen head into Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Celtic after finishing fifth in the Premiership – conceding 12 times in their four league-closing defeats. But they need to think positive. I thought in the first half at Dundee United the energy was back in Jimmy Thelin's Dons side, and in addition to Jeppe Okkels' goal, Jamie McGrath and Pape Gueye went close and caused their hosts problems. The second half at Tannadice was back to what Aberdeen have been on too many occasions during the campaign: sluggish and giving away goals too easily – including conceding from another set-piece. While they don't have momentum – and have had bruising outings against Celtic in the League Cup semi-final (6-0) and then last week in the Premiership (5-1) – they must remember October's 2-2 draw. At their best, the Dons have an attacking style of play and talented players who, if they're firing, can hurt their all-conquering rivals – Kevin Nisbet, Leighton Clarkson, McGrath, Topi Keskinen and Gueye have all shown moments of genuine class this term. Boss Thelin has given no indication he'll stray from his blueprint at Hampden. His team simply have to be right on the mark – and hope Celtic aren't the best version of themselves, similar to their performance against St Mirren at Parkhead at the weekend. Find a performance on the biggest stage, don't give away silly goals and the club's 35-year Scottish Cup drought can end, laying a foundation stone for Thelin's long-term plans at Pittodrie in the process. Remember: underdogs have lifted the trophy before.
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen Tactics Watch: Change to Topi Keskinen role left Dons disjointed - and gave St Mirren route to get at Reds
There were eyebrows raised when Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin moved Topi Keskinen from left wing to no.10 for Saturday's defeat to St Mirren. One less-discussed element of the call was it removed one of Aberdeen's best pressers – and back-trackers – from a key area of the field. The Dons almost always defend without the ball in a narrow 4-4-2, but the pressing and shape were pretty loose in the first half, and St Mirren did their best to take advantage of the poor spacing. Aberdeen fail to heed early signs press and shape were loose v St Mirren We saw some easy passes from the St Mirren back three to their wing-backs, like below, when Marcus Fraser played to Ryan Alebiosu after only 30 seconds. Jeppe Okkels (if we assume this is intentional) presses in a way that encourages the pass wide: Okkels allows wide pass to right wing-back. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. Unfortunately, Greame Shinnie is naturally deeper on the field, and he has a difficult decision to make: Does he close the man on the ball or defend his area? He opts for the former, and ex-Dons loanee Killian Phillips makes the run into the space Shinnie has vacated: Phillips makes run behind Shinnie. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. On this occasion, Phillips couldn't get on the ball, but it would be a run and a pattern which repeated itself throughout the half. It was an early warning which was not heeded by Aberdeen. Dons similarly disjointed on right-hand side Nicky Devlin was often doubled up on the right side, particularly with longer diagonals, and like Shinnie, he wasn't given too much support from his winger. It is worth sharing the two images below. They show Shayden Morris paying the price for getting attracted to the ball instead of tracking his man, and the Buddies get in behind again, this time with Mark O'Hara: O'Hara plays wide to Declan John and makes forward run. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. Both Morris and Devlin go to John, leaving O'Hara a simple run in behind. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. Like the previous example with Okkels/Shinnie/Phillips, the ball ended up going out of play (just), but Aberdeen struggled to deal with Phillips and O'Hara's runs in behind the full-backs. St Mirren feed off second balls Alex Gogic had several diagonal balls on top of the Aberdeen right and left-backs, who invariably faced a 2v1 with either a striker peeling off on to Shinnie or Devlin, or one of the two wider St Mirren centre-mids i.e. Phillips or O'Hara. And the Buddies wing-back was always available to pick up the flick-on. Declan John picks up diagonal after O'Hara challenged Devlin. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. One of the closest goalmouth chances of the first half saw Dons defender Alfie Dorrington turn the ball just past his own goal, following a cross from the dangerous Ryan Alebiosu. The source was a long kick from the goalkeeper, on to Jonah Ayunga, who flicks it on to the full back to start his run. He wasn't required, but Cillian Phillips is in acres of space waiting for the second ball. Ayunga pins himself on Shinnie, Alebiousu ready for flick-on (and Phillips if ball pops out). St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. Aberdeen left exposed on Buddies' transitions Aberdeen's recent strength has been getting Leighton Clarkson on the ball in between the centre-backs to build-up play or by beating a high press by going long, but that does present a weakness if the ball transitions quickly. Early in the second half, Mats Knoester has the ball, and Clarkson is in the centre-back position. But the Dutchman is pressed by Phillips and opts to go long: Knoesters' pass, which is picked off (no Pape Gueye to challenge) and Oisin Smyth in the St. Mirren midfield has acres of space to turn and progress the ball forward (below). St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. This turns into a 3v2 (below). St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. This emphasises the main theme that Aberdeen had too many gaps between the lines of the team, both in possession and out of possession. St Mirren v Aberdeen Tactics Watch. Screengrabs from RedTV. Chaos and coin flips… but it's another set-piece goal lost for Aberdeen For all this, Jimmy Thelin may have been right when he said St Mirren v Aberdeen could have ended 0-0. St Mirren's best chances came after they had gone ahead, and as has been noted, their final ball was often poor, and (though not covered here) Aberdeen had plenty of the ball in the attacking third and 11 corners themselves. It was a coin flip, you might say, but then so was last week against Hibs. The Dons had a few close shaves on set-pieces versus Hibs, but their luck ran out on Saturday, and they've lost to a dead-ball situation for the second successive trip to Paisley. By my reckoning, Mikael Mandron's strike was the 13th Premiership goal Aberdeen have lost from either a corner, the aftermath of a corner, a free-kick, or a long-throw – 26% of their total league goals conceded. St Mirren's Mikael Mandron scores in a 1-0 win against Aberdeen in Paisley. Image: Shutterstock. The Dons rank 10th in the league, just ahead of Dundee and Motherwell in set-piece expected goals against with 0.3 per game (source: Opta). The next two games will present different challenges, but it's hard to escape fears of their set-piece vulnerability with the final day at Tannadice lingering in the back of the mind. If hopes still remain to finish third, a win will be vital. More likely, three points will be required to finish fourth. Aberdeen's biggest weakness still appears to be facing direct, disciplined outfits -especially away from home. Aberdeen's aim must be to ensure it doesn't come down to a free-kick or long throw into the box, because, if it does, the odds will be against them. Gavin MacPhee is a qualified coach, scout and analyst and holds a degree in Science and Football. He is the creator of an Aberdeen tactical and data blog.
