Northern Goal

What's at the heart of Aberdeen's superb form, was Ross County's Stuart Kettlewell right to be fuming at John Beaton and how exciting is the new Highland League format?

This week, we discuss how a change of formation, plus sparkling displays from Ross McCrorie, Lewis Ferguson, Ryan Hedges, Scott Wright and more, have re-energised Aberdeen's campaign. The panel also try to get a handle on Ross County's poor performance at Livingston - where boss Stuart Kettlewell criticised referee John Beaton - as well as the benefits of the planned 16-game Highland League season.

Direct play pays for Aberdeen as Soul Eight suspension looms, and Ross County look to round off strong Premiership opening

This week, we discuss Aberdeen’s two wins to secure their first six points of the league season, and what the team could look like for Thursday’s Europa League qualifying curtain-raiser against Runavik of the Faroe Islands. Our panel then try to predict the suspension which awaits the eight players who breached Covid rules at Friday’s SFA hearing. There’s also our debrief of Ross County’s draw against 10-man St Mirren in Paisley as the Staggies continue to rack up early Premiership points.

Imperative Aberdeen get points on Premiership board, and Ross County let unbeaten start slip

On this week's episode, there's the latest fallout from the Aberdeen Eight's Covid breach, and we discuss how vital it is the Dons take maximum points from their games with St Johnstone and Livingston. We also predict Ross McCrorie's role for the Reds, explain Ross County's defeat to Dundee United, and discuss how Danny Devine and Scott Allardice will bolster Caley Thistle.

Can Premiership avoid red card and delay to lower league start? Plus, flawless Ross County, and the Betfred Cup draw

Now we know for sure Aberdeen won’t be back in action until August 20, we discuss potential punishments for Covid rule breaches going forward, and whether a mid-October lower league return is under threat. Plus, we go in-depth on Ross County’s 100% Premiership start and the Betfred Cup draw.

Scottish football in chaos as Aberdeen set for another postponement

In this special episode, Ryan Cryle, Paul Third, Jamie Durent and Callum Law react to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s suggestion that Aberdeen’s games against Hamilton and Celtic will follow their Premiership clash with St Johnstone in being postponed after eight players breached Covid-19 rules. We question why players, at the Dons and at Celtic, have flouted the regulations, and what lies ahead for the season.

What we can learn from Aberdeen’s opening Premiership loss to Rangers, and Ross County show good signs up top and at the back in win over Motherwell

Football is back. We review Aberdeen’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers – whether first-half sluggishness is cause for long-term concern, and which team should line-up against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. We also reflect on Ross County’s 1-0 win over Motherwell, where they may have showed a resilience to go with their attacking edge. Plus, will Caley Thistle, Peterhead, Cove Rangers and Elgin City be happy with their lower-league fixtures?

Paul Coutts on his journey from Cove Rangers to Premier League promotion with Sheffield United

Aberdonian midfielder Paul Coutts talks us through a playing career which has included a Highland League title with Cove, before spells at Peterborough, Preston, Derby and Sheffield United. The 32-year-old describes marking Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez on his Posh debut, playing under the likes of Darren Ferguson, Nigel Clough, Steve McClaren and Chris Wilder, as well as his recent play-offs disappointment with Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town.

Secretary Rod Houston on restarting the Highland League, and the time Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder played at Brora Rangers’ Dudgeon Park

This week we’re joined by Highland League secretary, Rod Houston, who discusses the timescale for starting the new season with reduced testing, five substitutes, fans and hospitality. He also reflects on the failed reconstruction talks which ended Brora’s hopes of stepping into the SPFL, and looks back on two Dutch superstars turning out for their country in the Highlands.

Sam Cosgrove stays at Aberdeen, but what does Guingamp’s accepted transfer bid say about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis?

We discuss striker Cosgrove’s near-move to France’s Ligue 2 and whether we can learn anything from the closed-door friendly between the Dons and Ross County. Plus, where do we think the next destinations are for the likes of Frank Ross, Chris Antoniazzi and Tom Kelly, Caley Thistle’s plans to use the Betfred Cup for pre-season, Elgin’s prospects for winning League Two and Loch Ness FC’s stunning, social media-conquering kits.

Tough opening fixtures for our Premiership outfits?

This week the panel discuss Aberdeen and Ross County’s starts to the season after the 2020/21 Premiership fixtures were revealed. Plus, partial crowds, Cove Rangers’ plea for aid in their promotion fight, and do League One and League Two hopes over reduced Covid-19 testing and October restart show way forward for Highland League?