Northern Goal

Cove Rangers face pivotal weekend in push for League One title, Connor Barron emerging as an unsung Aberdeen hero and our Scotland hopes

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss a huge game at the top of League One as Cove look to cement their title hopes on the road against nearest-challengers Airdrieonians. At the bottom end of the table, Peterhead are in desperate need of a result to drag themselves clear of lingering danger.
Elsewhere, we look at Connor Barron’s emergence into an influential figure in the Aberdeen midfield, Caley Thistle’s mini-revival ahead of the play-offs and a look at some of the potential new faces who could feature for Scotland ahead of their friendly double-header.

Jak Alnwick… Connor Ronan… Will Aberdeen look to St Mirren’s current squad this summer in a bid to strengthen?

We discuss what the experience of Jonny Hayes and Andy Considine is worth at Aberdeen in a week where the signing of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was labelled ‘an absolute disaster’. This weekend’s clash with Hibs is the ‘definition of a must-win’, as the Dons bid to end a miserable winless run and keep top-six hopes in their own hands, but – when the campaign is over - is Jim Goodwin’s summer rebuild going to involve a few St Mirren players? Ross County will try to take their own big step to securing a top six place against Celtic, while Inverness upset the odds with a very attacking Billy Dodds line-up to finally get a victory – and what a victory over Arbroath it was! Can they build on it against play-off rivals Raith Rovers? Plus, Cove hit out at a weird red card for handball (and even weirder failed appeal), while Peterhead keep it positive despite their struggles and Elgin are already on the beach in League Two.

Scott Brown gone, JET could be next and is Ross McCrorie Aberdeen’s next captain?

This week, the panel discuss why the writing was on the wall for Scott Brown at Aberdeen and ask where the signing ranks in recent Dons history. Ross McCrorie is the frontrunner to be the next captain, but can Jay Emmanuel-Thomas save his Reds career? There's also analysis of what Jim Goodwin will be prioritising during Aberdeen's week off. Then, Sophie Goodwin explains how huge a moment for women’s football in the north-east Aberdeen Women's Pittodrie debut is. Plus, Ross County's European hunt and - forget Arbroath - Inverness’ next game, against Raith Rovers, is massive. Will stand-out Harry Milne leave Cove Rangers in the summer if they don’t go full-time?

Jim Goodwin can have no doubts over scale of Aberdeen job as ongoing winless run looks like it could give him more power in the summer

This week, Aberdeen continue to rack up miserable records with defeat at Hearts. New boss Jim Goodwin will be in no doubt over the scale of the Pittodrie rebuilding job this summer, but will a continued winless run actually serve to strengthen his recruitment power? We also ask - did the Tynecastle display show veteran midfielder Scott Brown is in the final few months of his playing career? Meanwhile, we focus on Joseph Hungbo following Ross County’s battling result at Motherwell, and question when and if Inverness will kick into gear again. In League One, we preview the latest meeting between Cove Rangers and Peterhead, and what a difference two weeks has made for Elgin City.

First impressions of Jim Goodwin, a desperate search for form in the Highlands and Elgin’s woes continue to deepen

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss the early impressions made by new Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin, who took charge for the first time last weekend. We also look at the lack of form of our two Highland clubs, Ross County and Caley Thistle, as they try to right their seasons and ensure they have a positive ending. In the lower-leagues, Elgin’s troubles show no sign of abating, Peterhead strive to get away from the bottom of League One while Cove Rangers face an important few days in both league and cup competititions.

Jim Goodwin is the obvious choice out of realistic Aberdeen managerial candidates

This week, our panel discuss Aberdeen's manager hunt - and why frontrunner Jim Goodwin's track record and general upwards trajectory makes him the right man to turn around the Dons - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer notwithstanding. Goodwin will have a job on his hands, though, as we also review what went wrong for Stephen Glass at Pittodrie, with the underperforming Reds heading back to Fir Park on league business this weekend. We also discuss Ross County's fascinating capture of former Premier League starlet Josh Sims, and how the significance of struggling Caley Thistle's clash with leaders Arbroath will hinge on their next three outings.
All of that, plus title-chasing Cove host Leigh Griffiths-bolstered Falkirk, Peterhead look to turn Scottish Cup plaudits into League One points, and Elgin City hope to stave off real relegation fears against Cowdenbeath.

Aberdeen and Stephen Glass need result from Scottish Cup trip to Motherwell after dreadful opening against Celtic

A Funso Ojo-led second half fightback can’t hide an awful first half from Aberdeen against Celtic. Will the second half side – including Ross McCrorie at right-back, Funso Ojo in midfield and Matty Kennedy – start their season-defining Scottish Cup clash at Motherwell? Is the nightmare away game run and the Dons’ crisis of confidence on the road going to affect the tie – and pile huge pressure on Stephen Glass? A point for never-say-die Ross County despite a below-par showing, and a topsy-turvy clash at the Caledonian Stadium which saw Inverness come back three times to draw, rounds off our Wednesday review, before the panel look to our League One and Two sides – with Peterhead’s cup clash with top-flight strugglers Dundee just a few days away.

Why didn’t Aberdeen sign a striker in January?

This week, reaction to Aberdeen not signing a striker in the transfer window. With Marley Watkins injured, is there now unfair pressure on Christian Ramirez? Dylan McGeouch staked his claim in the Dons’ midfield in the 1-1 draw at Ross County, but questions remain about Funso Ojo in attacking midfield. Given their away form, is Saturday’s trip to Livingston a scarier proposition for Aberdeen than Celtic at Pittodrie? For County, holding on to Regan Charles-Cook was their best piece of January business – and could guarantee Premiership survival. Meanwhile, can Inverness – with Austin Samuels now in their ranks - use a run of home games to string some much-needed wins together, and would a win for Cove Rangers be a knock-out blow to Airdrieonians in League One?

Could nightmare at St Mirren prompt Aberdeen action in transfer window’s final days?

This week we discuss Aberdeen’s defeat at St Mirren and what it revealed about the squad. Which players are Dons fans right to say aren’t up to the job? If Ryan Hedges’ and Calvin Ramsay’s heads are elsewhere – should Aberdeen cash in over the next few days? Plus, Jamie Durent explains why he thinks Ryan Duncan has a big Aberdeen future, having seen him play for Peterhead. Meanwhile, it’s been baptism of fire for Declan Drysdale at Ross County following their loss to Dundee United, and Kilmarnock-bound Caley Thistle need to stop drawing games, don’t they?

Aberdeen take game to Rangers - despite penalty injustice - ahead of Scottish Cup bid getting under way

This week, and ahead of the Scottish Cup fourth round, the panel reflect on the pile of positives from Aberdeen’s 1-1 Premiership draw with Rangers at Pittodrie – the high line, pressing, brave passing, resilience and even the dark arts (Scott Brown in particular) – but it’s also clear reinforcements are needed to add more attacking strength in depth. We then discuss Regan Charles-Cook’s latest wonderful display after his hat-trick saw 10-man Ross County beat Motherwell, and more evidence of Inverness’ soft underbelly in the Championship. Plus, there’s preview chat ahead of cup clashes between Hibs and Cove, Peterhead and East Kilbride, and Banks o’ Dee and Raith Rovers.