Northern Goal

What went wrong for Aberdeen against Raith Rovers ahead of huge Qarabag clash?

This week, our panel reflect on Aberdeen's 2-1 League Cup loss against Championship Raith Rovers. How did they let first half dominance slip, what does it say about the Dons' squad, and where will confidence levels be sitting going into the Conference League play-off first leg against Qarabag? There are sparkling performances from Cove Rangers and Elgin City to discuss, while we also preview Ross County and Caley Thistle's return to action against Rangers and Ayr United, respectively, this weekend.

Will we see Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass making so many changes again this season?

This week, we reflect on Aberdeen's wins against Breidablik and then Livingston over the last few days. Dons boss Stephen Glass made six changes for the Premiership clash with Livi - who impressed? And were the changes a sign Europe is the Reds' priority right now? Our panel also discuss Ross County's ongoing defensive problems and the resilience which has led to Inverness' perfect Championship start, as well as a tough weekend for Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City.

Calvin Ramsay shows huge promise for Aberdeen in opening Premiership victory, as Dons prepare to face Iceland’s Breidablik

On this week's episode, our panel reflect on Aberdeen's straightforward win over Dundee United, which included a man-of-the-match showing from 18-year-old right-back Calvin Ramsay. There's also the evidence Christian Ramirez will be a goal machine, and what Iceland-based Reds legend Jim Bett thinks about Euro opponents Breidablik. Plus, we discuss what Ross County still need, Caley Thistle finally make a fast start in the Championship, and there's also all of the talking points for Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City after their league openers. 
For 20% off the beautiful book ‘The Red Army’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions.

Stephen Glass' Aberdeen get set for Premiership start after rip-roaring opener to 2021/22 campaign

On this week's episode, which player impressed most in Aberdeen’s stunning showing to all-but-end their Euro tie with BK Hacken? Will Stephen Glass make changes for Thursday’s away leg ahead of the Premiership opener against Dundee United, after struggles against the Tangerines defined a disappointing 2020/21 campaign? Plus, all the build-up to Ross County, Inverness, Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City's league campaigns getting under way.
For 20% off the beautiful book ‘The Red Army’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Goteborgs-Posten’s BK Hacken writer Linus Petersson on Aberdeen’s European rivals

This week on Northern Goal, BK Hacken journalist Linus Petersson tells us why the Swedes view themselves as favourites for their Europa Conference League tie with Aberdeen – including detailing the strengths of Hacken's international-packed squad. We also ask, have Ross County’s Covid issues condemned them to a tough Premiership season? Plus, the latest from the Premier Sports Cup, and who are our panel tipping for Highland League success this term ahead of Saturday’s kick-off?
 
For 20% off the beautiful book "The Red Army", go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Who will be Aberdeen's captain for the new season?

On this week's Northern Goal, who will be Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass' skipper when the campaign begins against BK Hacken, are the Swedes being underestimated and does the Inverness friendly draw at Cormack Park mean anything? Plus, reflections on the Dons youngsters' Aberdeenshire Cup loss to Buckie Thistle and analysis on our teams' Premier Sports Cup openers.
 
For 20% off the beautiful book "The Red Army", go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Kelly Forrest on what Aberdeen Women can achieve in SWPL1. Plus, first impressions of Christian Ramirez and Malky Mackay's Ross County

On this week's Northern Goal podcast, we chat to Aberdeen Women's captain Kelly Forrest after the Dons lifted the SWPL2 trophy to get back to the top-flight. What does Kelly think they can achieve next season in SWPL1. Plus, Christian Ramirez impresses in first Aberdeen interview, but what do the Reds still need squad-wise? Malky Mackay's Ross County took to the field for the first time at the weekend, beating Elgin City in a friendly. The Staggies may now be dealing with a Covid outbreak, but with signings now flowing, how are they shaping up?
 
For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Covid concern at Caley Thistle, reasons to be cheerful for Aberdeen, and Ross County’s recruitment drive

The gang discuss the Covid-19 situation at Caley Thistle on this week’s pod, which led to the postponement of their friendly with Brora Rangers. There is also Aberdeen Women winning the SWPL2 league title in impressive fashion, and new faces at Aberdeen, with Christian Ramirez sealing his move from Houston Dynamo to Pittodrie. There is also the recruitment latest at our north clubs, including Ross County, Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City. 
For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Pre-season plans, and how worried should Aberdeen be about Conference League rivals BK Hacken?

On this week’s episode of Northern Goal, we discuss our teams’ return for pre-season training. Why are Aberdeen doing all of their work at Cormack Park, and how worried should they be about Europa Conference League opponents BK Hacken? It’s gone quiet at Ross County, but Caley Thistle have been busy, including snapping up former Staggies Michael Gardyne and Billy Mckay. Meanwhile, Cove Rangers have possibly pulled off the coup of the summer in landing another ex-County pair in Iain Vigurs and Ross Draper, with Dundee pair Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan also heading back to Peterhead.
 
For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Can Teddy Jenks be Aberdeen's new James Maddison, plus the SPFL fixtures revealed and Scotland v Czech Republic emotions

This week on Northern Goal, we react to the SPFL fixtures for 2021/22. Aberdeen will be delighted with the hand they’ve been dealt, but will Brighton's Teddy Jenks be the new James Maddison when the campaign begins against Dundee United. Ross County need to ramp up their preparations for a challenging start, while we also discuss Inverness, Peterhead, Cove and Elgin's fixtures. All that, plus the panel's emotions after covering Scotland's 2-0 Euros loss to the Czech Republic.
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