Northern Goal

Scotland’s hopes of a World Cup place evaporate against Ukraine, while big changes for the future have been made at Aberdeen Women

The panel sift through the debris of Scotland’s hugely disappointing night against Ukraine, in this week’s episode, which ended their hopes of making the 2022 World Cup. Where did it go wrong and are some players at the end of the road for the national side? We also look in-depth at a significant period of change for women’s football at Aberdeen and discuss what stories have caught our eye from our SPFL clubs.

Inverness’ play-off heartbreak proved they must WIN the Championship to get back to the top-flight, plus Premier Sports Cup draw

This week, how did it all get away from Caley Thistle in their play-off final defeat to Premiership survivors St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, and following Austin Samuels’ all-action first-half display? The play-off system might be unfair, but Inverness now know – if they want to go up – they need to finish top of the Championship (which they maybe should have done), don’t they? We also discuss the Premier Sports Cup draw for all of our sides, with Aberdeen’s group-mates Raith Rovers providing a stark reminder to the Dons to take their rivals seriously if they are to blitz group A.

Aberdeen’s summer shopping list – we break down what’s needed in every part of the pitch

This week, off the back of Paul Third’s Reds Rebuild series for the Press and Journal/Evening Express, we discuss what Aberdeen and boss Jim Goodwin need in every area of the park this summer – numbers and skillsets. Plus, Dundee United fans’ disruption mars final Ross County game of the season. How big a loss is the departed Blair Spittal to the Staggies, and are we resigned to Regan Charles-Cook, Harry Paton and Alex Iacovitti leaving, too? Could Roy MacGregor push the boat out to get Joseph Hungbo back next term? Then - Inverness showed true grit to somehow overcome Arbroath in their Premiership play-off semi-final, but will they have a) recovered enough, and/or b) have the bodies for their shoot-out with St Johnstone.

Will Declan Gallagher and David Bates pairing come good for Aberdeen?

On this week’s Northern Goal, the panel discuss Aberdeen’s 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone, which saw the Dons play without a senior striker after Christian Ramirez jetted off on holiday a week early. Following another soft goal against the Reds, can we see the Declan Gallagher and David Bates centre-back setup working next term? Sean Wallace also discusses the Luke Turner contract situation and how Jim Goodwin justified his decision to let the youngster goal. Plus, how did Ross County let Europe pass them by, and the Inverness v Arbroath play-off is on a knife-edge ahead of Friday’s second leg.

Is this Aberdeen’s chance to see what Dante Polvara is made of?

This week, with Aberdeen secure in the knowledge relegation won’t be happening, we ask: Is it time to throw Dante Polvara into the team and see what the January signing from the US can do? There’s also praise for developing Dons talents Connor Barron, Vicente Besuijen and Jack MacKenzie following the 1-0 win over Dundee, which didn’t do much to dampen questions over where Christian Ramirez’s future may lie. Plus, despite their awards snub, Ross County had a good week drawing at Hearts - and now a win over Motherwell this weekend could clinch Europe - while full-time success story Shane Sutherland’s ability was on full display as Caley Thistle took play-off pole position against Partick Thistle.

Mood around Aberdeen darkens as Christian Ramirez’s Pittodrie future called into question

On this week’s Northern Goal, troubling times at Aberdeen as loss to Livi reconfirms bluntness in attack, inability to keep goals out and psychological fragility. No doubt Jim Goodwin's rebuild is needed, but – like Terry Butcher at Hibs – is he learning he should have waited? And is the mood music of the last week telling us Christian Ramirez and Calvin Ramsay are going? Meanwhile, Andy Skinner tells us why he thinks Ross County’s Malky Mackay and Regan Charles-Cook should be named Manager and Player of the Year, as Inverness look set to start the likes of Scott Allardice v Hamilton. Jamie Durent then talks Cove’s League One title win – much-deserved celebrations, Harry Milne’s exit for Partick Thistle, and what’s next in terms of their squad, contract model and infrastructure.

What questions do we still have after Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack’s Q&A?

We start this week's episode of Northern Goal by reflecting on Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack's RedTV Q&A, before previewing this weekend's post-split opener at home to Livingston. Is Calvin Ramsay good enough for Liverpool, and is this the peak of Lewis Ferguson's potential transfer value to the Dons? Plus, Ross County could be even better now the pressure's off - starting with Celtic this weekend - couldn't they? Inverness are so close to sealing third, while surely (surely) Cove Rangers will claim the League One title in front of a bumper Balmoral crowd on Saturday.

Aberdeen probably won’t get drawn into a relegation fight, will they?

After a meek display against Ross County saw Aberdeen condemned to the bottom six, the Dons are now trying to avoid being drawn into a relegation play-off fight. Did Jim Goodwin’s early squad reshaping moves affect the clash, and what further players are likely to be moved on from Pittodrie? Home top six fixtures have put Ross County odds-on for a transformative European football adventure, while – across the Kessock Bridge – Inverness’ hopes of finishing second in the Championship look to be over. A league below, Cove Rangers could be champions this weekend, while Peterhead’s safety could also be confirmed.

Andy Considine’s Aberdeen departure – how did it get so messy?

This week, we react to the news of Aberdeen legend Andy Considine’s impending departure and the subsequent fallout. We ask how new boss Jim Goodwin’s objective and reasonable (depending who you ask) call to let the veteran go, combined with a likely emotional reaction from the player’s camp and some fans, saw the situation spiral out of control in the build-up to a huge Premiership game against Ross County and on the day a new record-breaking shirt sponsorship deal was announced. There’s also the County angle ahead of Saturday’s top-six showdown, an Aberdeen Women update, plus Cove Rangers’ latest last-gasp goal as they edge closer to the League One title.  

What is Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson worth now he has started for Scotland?

This week, the panel discuss what Aberdeen midfield star Lewis Ferguson is worth now he has started for Scotland. Should he stay this summer, is the best Dons midfield set-up Ferguson, Connor Barron and Ross McCrorie? And why have backroom staff Gordon Marshall and Adam Stokes left the club? With Dundee up next for the Dons and Ross County playing Hearts, the panellists give their verdict on which teams will end up fourth, fifth and sixth in the Premiership for the split. There’s also the Staggies’ coup of tying ex-Liverpool full-back Connor Randall down for another two years, the talents of Inverness loanee Reece McAlear and an end to Elgin City’s Edinburgh City hoodoo at the 15th attempt to discuss.