Aberdeen

Image source, SNS

Do Aberdeen's problems run deeper than the dugout?

Following an underwhelming start to the season that has yielded just one Scottish Premiership win and two goals from five league matches, head coach Stephen Robinson is feeling the heat from the Dons support.

However, after a number of years of player and manager upheaval, Sportscene pundit Ryan McGowan suggests frustrations should be directed elsewhere.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the Livingston defender said: "Aberdeen are a massive club. They're a club that should be in the top three or four in Scotland with the budget, size of club and fanbase.

"They should be right up there challenging. The fans have gone a lot of seasons now where they have probably not been looking forward to watching their team play.

"For the fans, that's all you just want: to be proud of your team. Of course, you want to see fast, attacking, attractive football, but you also want to just see a team that you identify with and have a real connection with.

"Over the past four, five, six seasons, they've really struggled with that."

On the decision-making at Pittodrie, former Hearts player McGowan added: "The turnover of players and turnover of managers - they just seem to be a club that's almost just making decisions on the spot.

"There's no real forward thinking. Even if you just look at the past three or four managers, they're all almost completely different styles, different nationalities, brought in with different experiences at different stages of their coaching careers.

"Albeit the pressure is on Robinson at the moment, I think a lot of their problems possibly run a bit deeper."

Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Muller admits recent results have not been good enough and says he would have joined in the booing if he had been in the Pittodrie stands on Saturday. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch the highlights as Aberdeen and Kilmarnock played out a goalless draw at Pittodrie in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.

Dons fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's goalless draw against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Allen: This has relegation written all over it. If we don't get a bread and butter striker in soon that's what will happen. Just down the road is Simon Murray who would jump at the chance to join the Dons but the short-sighted board just do not see it.

Ken: Aberdeen's pace of play was too slow and very negative all game. Kilmarnock looked the better team all day. It's hard to see the shape and system we are trying to play, some players are just passengers. Back in the 1980s, we had no stars, we just had a squad who played 100% for each other (the stardom came after success). As a starting point that might not be a bad idea, we need to try something.

Brian: Stephen Robinson promised a team that would out-run the opposition, that would press high and not be matched in duels. This is his team now and none of that is evident. They look slow, ponderous and lacking effort. Robinson looks out of his depth.

John: Stephen Robinson has assembled a poor side made worse by extremely poor coaching. This can only end badly. Better to act now than let this drift further.

Ryan: We were told our pre-season would set us in good stead fitness-wise, yet five games into the season there are claims of tiredness. Time will tell with how successful recruitment has been but I worry the club was too quick to move on/loan out players with potential to do well. A real lack of patterns of play and Robinson's "shape is for pundits" comment midweek came off as embarrassing. A long way to go.

Scott: Going backwards under this management team, going to be another long season with very little chance of top six based on the last few games. Lutz Pfannenstiel and Alan Burrows also have a lot to answer for.

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson is actively looking to bolster his squad with free agents, one of whom could be former Rangers midfielder Greg Doherty, who left Charlton Athletic earlier this month. (Press and Journal), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Kilmarnock survived the final few minutes with 10 men to earn their first Scottish Premiership point of the season after a spirited goalless draw with Aberdeen.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson: "Obviously disappointed. We looked tired, we looked lethargic. We've had two very hard games, a lot of travel.

"We got a little bit more energy in the second half, without the quality. We got out of the game what we deserve.

"It's frustrating because there was a real lack of energy and pace about the game, from both sides. The game was of really poor standard.

"We made tired decisions, too many touches on the ball, too many passes backwards. We tried to get a reaction at half time, which we did to an extent, but we didn't deserve to win the game.

"We've had two games against Rangers and Celtic, a lot of travel, and the performance looked like that. We ran out of energy.

"Confidence is hard to gain without winning football matches but we have to keep believing in the players, keep backing them, which I will do.

"They looked jaded today, nobody sets out to play poorly. Human nature doesn't allow you to do that.

"There's a lot of improvement to come. There's been a lot of changes, the players we've brought in are better than what they've shown so far.

"I can understand the fan's frustration after the performance today. I wouldn't say we're heading for relegation after four games. Last season is completely irrelevant.

"We can't revert to negative past things, we've got to look forward."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen defender Dan Happe will be assessed after picking up a knock, but Brad Lyons (knee), Emmanuel Gyamfi (thigh) and Kristers Tobers (knee) remain out.

Goalkeeper Daniel Klein has joined the Dons, while Kenan Bilalovic has moved to Slovak Super Liga side MSK Zilina on a season-long loan deal since Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Celtic

Struggling Kilmarnock, without a point from four matches, will be without defender Robbie Deas for an extended period, but manager Neil McCann is still awaiting a full diagnosis.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen's Stephen Robinson has only lost more Scottish Premiership games as a manager against Celtic (21) and Rangers (20) than he has against Kilmarnock (12), although he has won two of his last three at home against Killie (D1).

• Kilmarnock are the only side without a point in the Scottish Premiership this season, losing all four of their games. The last club to lose each of their first five matches of a campaign in the division were Dundee in 2018-19.

• Aberdeen have lost 15 Scottish Premiership games in 2026, at least two more than any other side, including each of their last three in a row without scoring.

• Kilmarnock have lost nine of their last 10 league trips to Aberdeen, including their last four in a row since a 1-0 victory in December 2023 under Derek McInnes.

• Aberdeen have won four of their last five league meetings with Kilmarnock (L1), this after losing four of their previous five beforehand (W1).

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen winger Kenan Bilalovic has joined Slovakian top division side MSK Zilina on a season-long loan.

Bilalovic will spend the rest of the season in Slovakia with the club holding an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

The 21-year-old Swede has struggled to establish himself at the Dons since arriving at Pittodrie from IFK Värnamo in his homeland on a five-year deal last summer.

He has made 19 appearances for the first team and scored three goals.

On his loan to MSK Zilina, head coach Stepehn Robinson told the Aberdeen club website "Kenan is a talented young player but, at this stage of his development, playing consistently at senior level is really important.

"His exposure to game time here is going to be limited this season and, therefore, this loan presents an excellent opportunity for him to gain regular minutes in a demanding environment.

"We'll continue to monitor his progress closely throughout the season and look forward to seeing how he develops during his time in Slovakia."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen captain Kevin Nisbet insists there is no "crisis" at Pittodrie after back-to-back Scottish Premiership defeats to Rangers and Celtic.

They head into Saturday's league visit of bottom club Kilmarnock looking to return to winning ways after last weekend's 1-0 home loss to Rangers and a 3-0 midweek reverse at champions Celtic.

The Dons, who will also play Killie in the quarter-finals of the League Cup the following week, have won one of their opening four leagues.

And Nisbet remains optimistic about what the Dons can achieve this term.

"We have got a lot of quality in there," the striker said.

"We are well drilled, even though we conceded three against Celtic, but in the main we are a well drilled organised side, I think you have seen that over the games.

"For us it is about sticking together now, it is not a crisis because we lost two games. We have got a long season ahead of us so we can't get ourselves down too much.

"It is about focussing on the present now rather than focussing on the past and just trying to get ready for tomorrow."

Nisbet, 29, has an added responsibility this season having been made skipper and has "loved every minute of it".

"Off the park and on the park, every time I walk out for each game it is an honour and a privilege to wear the armband for Aberdeen," he added.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson says it would be "crazy" to judge his new-look side so early in the Scottish Premiership season.

The Dons have been dealt a tough hand in their opening quartet of league fixtures, a sequence that included games against the top three teams from last term – Celtic, Hearts and Rangers.

After beating Hearts in their opening game, the Dons lost at Dundee before sustaining defeats by both halves of the Old Firm.

Speaking before Saturday's league visit of Kilmarnock, Robinson said: "There are very, very few games been played in the season so far, so to be that judgemental that early on is crazy.

"I will judge the team when we are 15 games in and then what we need and where we go from there.

"We have been tested very, very hard early on with the fixture list, with a new group still trying to bond. We weren't quite up to that test if the truth be told, we weren't quite up to it in terms of results, some of the bits were good.

"But, we will get better and better as it goes."

Robinson added the mood in the dressing room remains positive as they look to end a run of three straight league defeats.

"There is still a belief, there has to be a realism as well," he explained. "We have been beaten by Celtic 3-0, we lost to a penalty against Rangers. If you look at the millions and millions that has been spent on those two squads, we haven't had the luxury to do that.

"I am very, very confident in the group we have put together to have a good season."

Aberdeen will be hoping to get back on the victory trail against a Killie side who have lost all four of their opening Premiership games.

And Robinson added: "There is pressure every time you play at home for Aberdeen to win games, you are expected to win so it is no different to any other game for me.

"It is important to win the game whatever way we do it."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership visit of Kilmarnock. Here are the main themes.

• After losing their past three league games and asked if there is extra pressure going into the game against the bottom club, Robinson said: ''The added pressure is that there is pressure every time you play at home for Aberdeen."

• Following back-to-back defeats by Rangers and Celtic, the Pittodrie boss says "there has to be a realism as well", pointing out the "millions and millions" spent on both Old Firm squads.

• The Dons have played last season's top three in their opening four games, with the head coach admitting: "We have been tested very, very hard early on with the fixture list, with a new group still trying to bond."

• He added: "We weren't quite up to that test if the truth be told in terms of results, some of the bits were good."

• Aberdeen are 10th in the table but Robinson says it is wrong to focus on league positions just now, saying: "There are very, very few games been played in the season so far, so to be that judgemental that early on is crazy."

• And he commented: "I will judge the team when we are 15 games in and then what we need and where we go from there."

• Robinson is "very, very confident in the group we have put together to have a good season".

• He is expecting a tough game against a Killie side he believes have not been getting the results they have deserved.

• Having just signed German Daniel Klein, Robinson says the 25-year-old brings a good level experience to the squad and gives them good options in the goalkeeping department.

• Team news: after missing their midweek trip to Celtic with a knock, defender Dan Happe is a doubt for Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen have signed German goalkeeper Daniel Klein on a two-year contract.

The 25-year-old was a free agent after leaving Bundesliga side Augsburg this summer and will provide cover and competition for current number one Marius Muller and fellow goalkeeper Nick Suman.

Klein didn't make a single appearance for Augsburg last term and last featured, for their B team, in a competitive game in May 2025.

"It makes the goalkeeping department better," manager Stephen Robinson said of the new arrival.

"It makes it stronger, an experienced goalkeeper with Bundesliga experience as well.

"We have to try and make every department as strong as possible, if we get an injury to Marius then we certainly have a very, very good back up.

"The three goalkeepers now competing for a place means nobody is guaranteed to play."

Klein, who joined the Dons on trial, spent time at Cormack Park last week and is excited to get properly started in the north east.

"I am really happy to be joining Aberdeen," he told club media.

"I had a good trial here last week. The team and the staff were very welcoming, it felt like a big family.

"Training was a good standard, and I enjoyed working with Hinchy, the goalkeeping coach and the other keepers. I am looking forward to pushing Marius every day in training.

"It's the right time to try something new, both professionally and personal. This is going to be a good challenge for me and when the team need me, I will be fully focussed and ready to play."

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson feels his side's run of early season fixtures "wasn't kind" and came "too early" for his much changed squad. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after Wednesday night's 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ian: We have to be realistic, we played Hearts, Rangers and Celtic in three of our first four games. The real test starts now against teams we should competing against.

Andy: Same old, same old. New manager, new team but nothing ever changes. We go to Celtic Park, don't compete and get well beaten. It would have been more had Celtic not taken their foot off the gas in the second half. Dreadful performance.

Kenneth: Poor defending, the wrong formation, the wrong team, tactics were nowhere to be seen. Aberdeen are in freefall and the manager and players are just running around like Bambi. The team are chasing shadows and have got no interest in defending or playing to win.

Graeme: Here we go again. Another manager, another new squad, but the same old lacklustre performances. I said when Stephen Robinson was appointed that he wasn't the man for the job, and nothing has happened to change my mind. At best we'll be a bottom six side again, at worst we'll be the relegation dog fight. Nothing better than that.

David: Tonight [Wednesday] was hardly a shock. The only time we had a plan, for almost a decade, to beat Celtic was in the 2025 cup final. It wasn't pretty, but it worked. Stephen Robinson said we were too passive, well that's on you and your coaching team, as is the ridiculous number of signings, and you want more. Not one of your 13 new players has improved the squad, and let's face it, it was a poor squad.

Jim: Robinson completely got his team wrong. He will need to do far better in the forthcoming games or he will be gone by Christmas.

Watch all the highlights as Celtic scored three first half goals to beat Aberdeen and continue their winning start to the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.

Camilo Duran made it six goals in eight games for Celtic as Martin O'Neill's side continued their unbeaten start to their domestic campaign with a comfortable Scottish Premiership victory at home to Aberdeen.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson: "It's been a tough few days.

"I thought we lacked belief in the first half, we were way too passive for the first goal and we got punished by how clinical Celtic were. We hit the crossbar at 2-0 which could change the game, they go up the other end and we make a mistake and the game is effectively over.

"The positive I can take is I got a response second half to an extent. At least we showed a belief that we could play and we could pass.

"Our season won't be defined by that, we won't let it be defined by that. It's up to us to respond on Saturday with a performance.

"By the time we were brave it was too late and we got punished from a clinical side. They beat LASK 3-0 here who are a very good side, much better than us, so we won't be defined by this.

"I think I've got a fair idea [of his best XI]. I've signed 13 players, close to 15/16 that have gone out. There's a lot of change, it was never ever going to be easy, it was never ever going to be without bumps in the road and we've had a few.

"I'd like there to be [more signings] but we've signed 13 players, 10 free transfers, so I don't expect too many more to happen now."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Having watched Aberdeen v Rangers games at Pittodrie for four decades, it is difficult to remember too many where the home side was quite as standoffish as they were in Sunday's 1-0 defeat.

Rangers arrived in the north-east on Friday, flying straight from the scene of the crime after their insipid Conference League qualifying exit to Jablonec and appeared to be going into the game with little-to-no confidence.

This wasn't actually a bad Aberdeen performance overall, and the way they started suggested they were going to take the game to Derek McInnes' side.

But that didn't materialize. It was conservative as Rangers took control with their new signing Kim Minsu providing a threat the Dons hadn't bargained on, the South Korean making his debut and giving his team a much-needed spark.

Much has been made about decisions going against the hosts and there were one or two shirt pulls that probably should have resulted in bookings for Rangers players but generally, the big decisions were called correctly.

Dan Happe's clumsy challenge on Djeidi Gassama was a penalty every day of the week and it ultimately cost his team the game.

Former Dons' defender Mark Reynolds alongside me in the gantry felt Kevin Nisbet had been impeded by Dujon Sterling up the other end but those appeals were waved away.

When Nisbet headed home what looked like a late equaliser it was brought back for a shove on Sterling, but even if you consider that to be harsh on the Dons' captain, he was offside later in that phase of play anyway.

With the dust settled on that game, Aberdeen go to Celtic Park on Wednesday, a fixture they haven't won in the league in an eye-watering 28 attempts.

September looks to be a seriously challenging month for Stephen Robinson and the shape they are in by the end of it will set the tone for the rest of the club's season.

Image source, SNS

Oliver Sorensen could make his Celtic debut against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday after joining on loan from Parma on Tuesday.

Fellow midfielder Callum McGregor returns after the captain's illness, but striker Kasper Hogh and left-back Kieran Tierney will miss out for one game at least with abductor injuries.

Striker Callum Osmand faces several weeks out with an ankle injury, while winger Jota is building up fitness after a long-term knee injury.

Aberdeen are still without defender Kristers Tobers and midfield trio Brad Lyons, Ante Palaversa and Emmanuel Gyamfi.