2021-03

This week on Northern Goal, we discuss long-serving right-back Shay Logan's departure from Aberdeen, strikers coach Allan Russell's potential arrival, plus the Scottish Cup tie against League One Dumbarton. We also weigh up Friday night's Highland derby, Cove Rangers' trip to Ibrox, and Brora, Fraserburgh and Formartine's hopes in the same competition.

In this special episode of Northern Goal, Ryan Cryle, Paul Third and Jamie Durent discuss Stephen Glass' appointment as Aberdeen boss. What does Dave Cormack's decision show about the Dons' recruitment and player development strategy going forward, what are Glass' immediate priorities and is the division surrounding the expected arrival of Scott Brown as assistant boss a risk? 

This week, we’ve decided to delay our regular panel discussion episode until after Tuesday’s big Scottish Cup ties, featuring many of our teams, are played. To preview one of those matches, we’ve spoken to Highland League legend Steven Mackay on his team’s return to action against Championship leaders Hearts. Plus, Steven gives us his view on what will happen to the Highland League season and details Brora’s SPFL ambitions, as well as talking us through his playing career with the Cattachs, Ross County, Forres, Elgin, Peterhead and Nairn.

In this week's Northern Goal, we discuss the latest on Aberdeen's manager hunt. The panel assess frontrunner Stephen Glass' chances of landing the role amid a vast array of candidates and whether interim duo Paul Sheerin and Barry Robson might get the results to be handed the gig permanently. There's also disbelief about one refereeing decision in Ross County's loss to Hibs, as well as a verdict on whether Inverness Caledonian Thistle can still break into the Championship's play-off spots. 

Caley Thistle find themselves in trouble at the wrong end of the table after their latest defeat, ahead of a double-header with Raith Rovers. Ross County are showing signs of progress in their bid to avoid the drop in the Premiership, while the lower-leagues are waiting on the nod to get back underway again. There’s also a look at a special Highland League piece we’ve been working on.

Following the news Derek McInnes has departed Aberdeen after a poor run of results and amid growing fan discontent, we reflect on the last eight years and discuss what will come next at Pittodrie. Was now right time to part with the manager, and why did a slow decline accelerate so quickly this season? The panel also go through the highs and lows of the McInnes era - League Cup success, European spot mainstays, cup heartache and a missed chance to beat Ronny Deila’s Celtic to the Premiership title. Looking ahead, who will be the frontrunner to fill the Dons hotseat? 

This week, no more slip-ups is the message if Aberdeen want to beat Hibs to third in the Premiership. There are also mixed opinions on whether Collin Quaner was guilty of simulation in Ross County’s defeat at St Mirren. Meanwhile, we discuss whether Caley Thistle can capitalise on their Championship fixtures backlog. On the subject of fixtures, and following news some of Scotland’s part-time teams will return to action, how are League One, League Two and the Scottish Cup going to be completed given how many games are left to play?