Northern Goal

Listener note on this week's Northern Goal

This week's Northern Goal has been moved to Wednesday... with the aim to give you better analysis of this week's Betfred Cup action.

Aberdeen’s Hampden hoodoo against Celtic continues but Rothes revel in long-awaited Highland League Cup triumph

The team discuss Aberdeen’s latest Scottish Cup shortfall against Celtic, as the Dons lose 2-0 in the semi-finals at Hampden Park. Ross County’s search for a win continues, Caley Thistle show their resiliency, while Cove Rangers and Peterhead record impressive victories. Rothes ended a 41-year wait for a trophy by beating Buckie Thistle in the Highland League Cup, with the pod assessing how far the Speysiders can go.

The big decisions facing Derek McInnes ahead of Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic after their Premiership thriller

Our panel review Aberdeen’s dramatic 3-3 league draw with Celtic and establish who could’ve played their way into the team for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash. We also try to work out why a decent Ross County attacking performance turned into a heavy loss at Motherwell, and what Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City have shown they can do this season in their first two matches.

Stalemates for Aberdeen and Ross County, Caley Thistle's striker problems and Highland League Cup last-four drama

In this week's episode, our panel ask how Aberdeen didn't beat Dundee United at Tannadice and conclude Ross County's defence is a base from which they can build, as evidenced in their 0-0 Premiership draw with Hibs. There's also plenty of reaction to Caley Thistle, Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City in league action (finally). At Highland level, we discuss the League Cup semi-finals and who will lift the trophy between finalists Buckie Thistle and Rothes.

Experience tells as Andy Considine shines for Scotland, and Peterhead shock Premiership Dundee United in Betfred Cup

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss Aberdeen defender Andy Considine’s belated ascension to Scotland starter and whether he can hold on to his place for huge games against the Czech Republic, Serbia and beyond. There’s also more than half an hour of reflection on our teams in Betfred Cup action, including Peterhead’s victory at Tannadice and Cove Rangers close call with Hibs. Plus, we preview the lower league start and the Highland League Cup semi-finals this weekend, as well as reacting to Dean Donaldson’s departure from Keith.

Aberdeen and Ross County’s transfer windows analysed, plus the Betfred Cup sees our lower-league sides back in competitive action

In this week’s Northern Goal, our panel talk through Aberdeen and Ross County’s transfer windows and whether they have strengthened sufficiently. There’s also a debrief from the Dons’ win over St Mirren and the Staggies’ defeat at Ibrox, and we build up to Inverness, Peterhead, Cove Rangers and Elgin City starting their seasons in the Betfred Cup.

Should Highland League have been forced to postpone season over fan lockout?

In this week's episode, we discuss the decision to delay the Highland League's return until at least late November and ponder why fans can't return to grounds when bars and restaurants in Scotland are open again. There's also all of the talking points from Ross County v Aberdeen, including what went so wrong for the Staggies, what went so right for the Dons, Marley Watkins' ambition to split the Glasgow two and the Ronald Hernandez question.   

Is Scott McKenna's impending departure the right deal for Aberdeen? Plus, what will delay on fan return mean for north clubs?

This week, our panel dissect Aberdeen's shock hammering at the hands of Motherwell, as well as the deal struck with Nottingham Forest for centre-back Scott McKenna. There's also a comprehensive preview of the Europa League qualifying clash with Covid-ravaged, European bigwigs Sporting, an assessment of Ross County's top-six credentials and we ponder whether a delay of fans returning to football grounds due to the worsening coronavirus situation could derail the impending lower-league and Highland League seasons.

Fans finally make their return as Aberdeen warm up for Viking adventure, but Ross County count cost of defensive woes

Aberdeen and Ross County welcomed supporters back into their grounds on Saturday to witness mixed results, while special guest Arild Stavrum joins the pod to look ahead to the Dons’ Europa League tie with Viking FK. We also take a look at some of the north’s SPFL sides making moves in the transfer market.

Part-time football’s deadliest striker Mitch Megginson on being let go by Aberdeen and Cove Rangers’ drive for more success in League One

We’re joined by Cove Rangers skipper Mitch Megginson to talk us through his career. The former Pittodrie youth academy prospect discusses his surprise first-team debut in Europe against Sigma Olomouc and being released by Derek McInnes. He reveals why he decided to swap the Championship for Highland League, with his goals firing Cove to the SPFL then the League Two title.