Northern Goal

Aberdeen’s performance v Motherwell was just a blip, wasn’t it?

This week, was Aberdeen’s disaster v Motherwell just a blip you’d expect from a completely rebuilt side? There’s clearly a need to keep players in their best positions ahead of St Johnstone on Saturday – although Bojan Miovski, at least, continues to look like he’ll be a goalscoring machine for the Dons. Ross County also showed they still need to build consistency, after having an off-day at the worst moment v St Mirren. They won’t go 10 games without a win again, will they? Meanwhile, Austin Samuels is impressing in a dynamic Inverness attack, as is Robbie Deas at the back. Although they took a heavy defeat at Caley Thistle, Cove are continuing to shape up, and Peterhead could be about to turn the corner, but are Elgin going to be ok this season?

Ylber Ramadani and Leighton Clarkson – a midfield match made in heaven at Aberdeen?

Following Aberdeen’s scintillating win over St Mirren, we ask if long-range screamer-scorer Leighton Clarkson will be the new Scott Severin for the Dons, while also discussing the startling stats which show an immediate understanding between the Reds’ latest loanee and fellow midfielder Ylber Ramadani. What will Jim Goodwin’s first-choice midfield be going forward as Aberdeen target the first back-to-back Premiership wins of his reign when they host Motherwell this weekend? Plus, can strong-looking Ross County kick-start their own campaign against the Buddies, and following the blow of Connor Randall’s leg break? We then preview Caley Thistle v Cove Rangers – as Championship title-hopefuls Inverness hunt their first win – while also reflecting on the topsy-turvy 2-2 draws which left both Peterhead and Elgin City disappointed.

Have faith in Dante Polvara, Aberdeen fans

This week, the panel reflect on Aberdeen's league-opening loss at Parkhead and look ahead to St Mirren. Although the need for more centre-back cover was laid bare, there were positives: Bojan Miovski's aerial strength, Anthony Stewart's defensive intelligence and Matty Kennedy with the ball at his feet among them. We discuss why Dante Polvara will be all the better for his difficult afternoon and - while his involvement was a show of faith from Jim Goodwin - the Reds closing in on another winger suggests other widemen will exit. Plus, there's Ross County's sizzling first half at Hearts, Inverness' hopes to pick up where they left off last term against Arbroath, Cove Rangers' real ambitions this term, and Peterhead and Elgin City's opening defeats. 

Callum Roberts - everyone we’ve spoken to is raving about Aberdeen’s new creative force

This week, Sean Wallace tells us what he learned about Aberdeen's new attacker Callum Roberts from former Killie boss Lee Clark, while we also ask if Hayden Coulson is going to be the Dons' main left-back this term. Is there enough depth on the left side of defence generally after this week's departures? There are certainly defensive conundrums and questions over who to start in attack at Celtic in Sunday's Premiership opener - Who replaces Liam Scales? Miovski or Ramirez? Does Roberts get a starting debut?
Meanwhile, Ross County's attack are flying going into their Hearts clash, while Inverness step into the unknown v Queen’s Park in what looks like an early banana skin for the Championship hopefuls. Plus, Cove Rangers and Peterhead still looking really light – or even lighter - two days before their league campaigns get under way, as Gavin Price tries to banish Elgin’s tendency for second half switch-offs.

Duk gets first Aberdeen run-out, but it’s Ylber Ramadani who looks like steal of the summer

This week, Aberdeen’s win over (albeit League 2) Stirling Albion suggests they’ve found an attacking verve, building excitement for the Premiership opener v Celtic. What did Sean Wallace make of Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes, and why Ylber Ramadani is worth at least £1 million. David Bates could also be set for the Dons exit door ahead of this weekend’s League Cup group stage-closer against Raith Rovers - lightning won’t strike twice, will it? Plus Kazeem Olaigbe terrorising full-backs in the blue of Ross County, as Staggies delve into the Canadian market again to secure viral sensation Willie Akio. Have Inverness had pound-for-pound the best Premier Sports Cup group campaign? Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City are all exiting early – how will they be feeling ahead of the league kick-off?

Anthony Stewart for captain, Christian Ramirez’s opening and Vicente Besuijen excitement as Aberdeen’s 2022/23 campaign opener arrives

This week, the panel discuss Anthony Stewart after he sparkles at Glebe Park and, in his performance and organisation, looks the man to shore up Aberdeen’s defence – with or without armband – ahead of the season-opener against Peterhead. Can David Bates cement his place alongside him though? If he wants to stay at the Dons, the League Cup group games are striker Christian Ramirez’s big chance while we wait for Bojan Miovski’s visa situation to be resolved. However, all signs are pointing to a Vicente Besuijen-centered Aberdeen attack, aren’t they? We also discuss the worrying situation at threadbare Peterhead ahead of the clash with the Premiership giants, while there was a first look at Ross County’s revamped squad in action on Wednesday ahead of the start of their campaign at Buckie. What do they still need? And what signings will Inverness still be looking to make as they get set for a trip to Kelty Hearts on Saturday.  Plus, Evan Towler joins Cove on loan from Aberdeen, and there are big hopes for the 17-year-old, while Elgin - facing a cup journey to Ayr on Saturday – have come out of pre-season full of optimism for the 2022/23 term.

PRE-SEASON TRIP SPECIAL: The lowdown from Aberdeen and Ross County’s Continental camps

This week, Sean Wallace and Andy Skinner join Ryan Cryle from Spain and Italy, respectively. Sean is embedded with Aberdeen in Alicante and delves into the big themes of the pre-season camp – what the Dons are working on in the sun, who’s there, who has impressed most, what his impression of summer signings like Anthony Stewart have been up close, and what the situation is with Ylber Ramadani and Bojan Miovski as they join up with their new team-mates. Plus, Sean gives a Jack MacKenzie injury update and also reveals what Jim Goodwin has told him at La Finca Resort about targets Connor Ronan and Jamie McGrath. Andy, similarly, gives us the inside story from Ross County’s camp in Verona, including what he’s made of all of the new faces brought in over recent days.

Bojan Miovski signing gets Aberdeen fans very excited as Dons’ summer spending nears £1m

This week, we assess Aberdeen’s manic week in the transfer market. The Dons have made four signings – Jayden Richardson, Liam Scales, Anthony Stewart and, most notably, striker Bojan Miovski. We discuss what the experts have told us about them over the last few days, and whether Jim Goodwin’s business so far has shown us how the Dons will line up next term. Who will be next? (It won’t be Liam Boyce or Robby McCrorie...) We also preview Aberdeen’s weekend trip to Buckie Thistle, chat about the incomings at Ross County, Inverness and Peterhead, and look ahead to Cove Rangers veteran Stuart McKenzie’s testimonial against Dunfermline on Saturday.

Aberdeen reach deal worth up to £8m for Calvin Ramsay’s move to Liverpool, and the inside track on Tobias Lauritsen

This week, reaction to the £8m deal between Liverpool and Aberdeen for Calvin Ramsay – with the initial £4.5m fee set to break the Dons’ club record and previous high for a Scottish teen. Then Sean Wallace – after speaking to his ex-chairman in Norway - gives the inside track on how Reds-linked Tobias Lauritsen became a striker, overcoming adversity to get back to his nation’s top-flight in the process, and what his attributes are. There’s also further discussion on Macedonian target Bojan Miovski, what it all means for returning US forward Christian Ramirez and whether we’ll see Dean Campbell back in an Aberdeen kit. Plus, Ross County and Inverness contract extension, and shades of Paul Hartley in Jim McIntyre’s arrival to take manager’s role at Cove Rangers.

Scotland give the Tartan Army a much-needed lift against Armenia and a big week of change at Cove Rangers

In this week’s episode of Northern Goal, the panel analyse Scotland’s 2-0 win over Armenia, which got their Nations League campaign off to a winning start. There’s also the big news of Paul Hartley’s departure to discuss at Cove Rangers, following his departure to English League Two side Hartlepool United at the end of last week. We also look at potential comings and goings at Aberdeen, with speculation about Calvin Ramsay’s future continuing and the Dons finally making their first signing of the summer in the form of Ylber Ramadani.