Sunday 18th January 2026, kick-off 2.30pm
Scottish Cup - Aberdeen v Raith Rovers

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Everything posted by OrlandoDon
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THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
I agree itās not a big deal. At the same time, some people take things in a direction that isnāt necessary these days, be it xenophobia, race, gender, politics or whatever, for the sake of creating conflict or an argument, when itās not necessary. Saying that, donāt recall anyone bringing up body shaming when duk was called fat! Not having a particular dig at panda, itās just how life is these days. Nobody is perfect and there are times we should call people out if thereās clear bigotry, hatred, or whatever, but I do feel we should simply stick to footie sometimes. Iām sure Iāll get knocked for being ignorant or allowing inappropriate comments. foreign is non Scot to me, you asked. Iām Scottish and I want Scots playing for Aberdeen, even a few aberdonians. Gone are the days of having a full team of Scots, but Iād love us to emphasize Scottish. I know itās very hard to sign Scottish players these days, I get that, but I hope we are trying and prioritizing. I think thatās important for identity, culture, and connection with fans. Obviously there are rules too. And I think having a Scottish coach on staff means something, losing leven leaves a hole if that happens. we have had foreigners who are hard core dons that I didnāt question commitment. Even snelders who went to rangers has a place in my heart. I didnāt question Paul mason, Richardson or bisconti, McGinn and Hayes more recently but not in the physical sense. Zero, stavrum, gilhaus all have a place in Aberdeen history. Foreigners can give there all, but itās really in the last 5 years or so weāve gone non Scot for the most part. Not a great team, but look at the squad from 5 years ago, Ramsey McKenzie Campbell came in, we had McKenna Ferguson, mcgeouch, Mikey devlin, considine, McCrorie, Bryson didnāt work outā¦..a bunch of Scots. By no mean stars but a Scottish core. That just means something to me and I think itās the heart of a Scottish club. do we have to have Scottish players, no. But I think it matters and can help. You can sign foreign crap or Scottish crap, it happens. But we seem to be all in on foreign at the moment. At the same time im Intrigued by the Aussie winger, but equally eager to see what Scotās we can add, they are needed! Plus what young boys will come through, maybe some of the loanees from this year. canāt back this all up with evidence or stats, I just want us to have a Scottish identity, not simply a Scottish address. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
It wouldnāt let me edit. Look at the league cup win back in 2014, langfield pawlett Robson jack anderson considine and reynolds all started regularly. The point was Mcinnes had a strong Scottish core. We need that Scottish core again. Thatās simply my point! Times are changing for sure, but we need to try harder domestically for talent. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
Good grief man, reread if you feel the need. I was not championing Mcinnes for have a UK and Irish core, I listed the Scots he had in his squad compared to today because of the team of foreigners comment, but did also name three non Scotās who pretty much played their entire careers in the SPL and with us. I then commented about man utd and how modern football is having the same issue with local players/players from their own country. For season 16-17 we had jack shinnie McLean considine and reynolds regularly in our starting 11, pretty much half the team. That would be fantastic if we could go back to that, Scottish core including local boys. Clutching at straws but thatās what I want and what Iāve already said, the ideal, Scottish internationalists and locals. not asking for us to buy Simon Murray. My point is that maybe we can do a better job scouting and buying Scotās than looking abroad. As I said, easy to say now but weād all take Murray before Ambrose and prob sokler. I know we tried to get Cameron, could we have got miller a year or two ago. Killie have a young boy plus wales just went south. Hard to know how hard we try to sign the best of the rest. not changing my stance or story, simply repeating myself which is probably boring. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
Wasting my time, youāre all over the place. We are a team of foreigners, or are you taking me literally? 2 scots started today, so you are correct, we are a team of āmostlyā foreigners. For every miovski thereās also a place for a Murray. We canāt hit endless home runs. Devlin was a good signing and wonāt be sold for millions. We simply need balance, and I think thatās obvious. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
I assumed it wasnāt intended in a xenophobic way, just frustration of the players playing for us playing shite and bring foreign. I donāt see people as guilty until proven innocent, and didnāt immediately assume hatred was intended. everything is political, pc, and dei police jump in, I just want to talk footie and love a good debate. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
Youāre losing me here. Youāre the one who brought up the xenophobia comment and went there which took the convo in that direction. we are a team full of foreigners, thatās a fact. Whether new this year or past, each year were getting less Scottish. I donāt give two shits about other teams in our league in one sense, I care about the make up of the dons. At the same time, I really fear for the national team and the lack of Scotās coming through. Youve moved on from the physical comment which didnāt belong in this convo to now bringing up uk/Irish players. All foreigners if they arenāt Scottish. And of course some know Scotland, but to the fullest extent maybe not, versus a journeyman on one stop of his travels. We need a few more shinnie mentalities. And in my opinion, a few more Scotās. Nobody is saying we canāt sign foreigners, itās not a ban the non Scotās argument. Thereās a balance which really helps the team, and I wants Scotās coming through. The point was that mcinnes had a strong core of Scotās who had more spine, and I agree there. we dont have that now. I backed that up saying i had concern about the make up of a team with few Scots. Thatās it. allan Campbell was just an example. Iād take Declan Gallagher or David bates even though they didnāt work out, we tried. Campbell was good at Motherwell, could he have been good here, maybe, but Iād prefer we try him over an unknown. Palaversa is an exception, his background suggests there could be a player there, but every player we are signing now is foreign. Can we gamble on a Scot versus an Ambrose? Easy to say now but could would should we have signed Simon Murray instead of Ambrose or sokler. Was happy we signed nisbet for this reason, not particularly glamorous at the time and rather underwhelming, but at least a known and Scottish, with a decent background. Can we give jack milne, devlin, fletcher boyd more minutes or will they be phased out? i replied because of your xenophobia comment. Unnecessary. Itās concerning the make up of the squad, especially when itās work in progress and flawed, but the lack of signing Scotās and apparent interest in Scotās (which could easily be hidden and kept out of the media) isnāt good. Surprised if this doesnāt concern all Dons and Scotland fans to some extent. -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
Absolutely been pushing more athletic/physical players, been saying it for a while. Just because I didnāt watch the st mirren game means nothing too, itās glaringly obvious weāre soft, physically and mentally. I donāt understand the relevance of that comment on this discussion? The point was made about us being a team full of foreigners which we are becoming, I think thatās a fair comment. Are we losing our identity? Listing mcginn and pawlett had nothing to do with physicality. Yes mcginn isnāt Scottish, but he played for Celtic pre us and has been in Scotland almost all of his career. To all of us Iām sure heās a don for life. We were a Scottish filled squad under Mcinnes, that was the point. thelin is a very calm and composed guy, but thatās not Scottish football. And is he/are we bringing in too many nice calm guys, most/all are foreign too who probably know very little about Aberdeen and Scottish football? And that includes his management team. I hope he adds a passionate Scot to the back room staff, especially if leven goes. There are blood guts and passion here, and local knowledge has value. Are okkels molloy gueye dabbagh polvara ruby Vinny sokler and Ambrose improving our team? Even topi and morris are hit/miss. Are there Scottish or home grown players that could be equally good or better? We need Scottish players too, of course weāll have foreigners but we need balance. Trust me, I know itās not easy to sign good Scottish players but I hope we are trying. Do you see us trying, are we linked to Scotās these days?? Could allan Campbell have done a job for us more than polvara, sivert, or palaversa does? Other than nisbet, was devlin the last Scot we signed who has played decent first team minutes? Iāve also defended Jensen but is he deservedly keeping devlin out of the team? I know thatās a situation that bothers some as, and has been said, devlin to me and many was our player of the year pre injury. Weāre a Scottish team and I want us to have Scottish in it, for the sake of our identity and the national team. I donāt know if weāve made progress, I probably think so. I know we are top 6 compared to bottom 6, but look at the way we finished last season under leven, versus how we play now. Today was poor, as was last week and weāre playing for something. These are big games. Weāve been pumped by Celtic. We have clear flaws. The start to the season was great, but we had a record breaking awful run too. I do think weāre in a better place mid overhaul, thatās not the debate, itās the construction of the new squad that adds concern to some. i agree, itās year one of a rebuild and by no means am I daring to join the JT negative team. We donāt see it in Donstalk thankfully. Yet. I rate mitov tobers kneuster Clarkson palaversa, but we need Scottish blood who knows how important away to the Huns is, or what it means to play Dundee utd or hearts. I think that matters. It just rubs me the wrong way when people add a topic such as race or nationality to an argument and appear offended, can we not just talk football. People love an offended argument these days. I referenced Hewitt, copper, and Simpson, and we havenāt signed foreigners that level, or over looked Scottish players that level. I just want to see Scotās and locals in our team. I donāt think there was deep hatred to the comment made, just the fear and concern, that I share too, that weāre losing our identity and may not even have a Scot in our starting 11 next year. Thatās a concern to me! -
THE OFFICIAL: "LET'S ALL LAUGH AT HEARTS"
OrlandoDon replied to glasgow sheep's topic in Football Chat
Do we need to go there? Mcinnes had langfield McLean jack mckenna Anderson Robson reynolds considine shinnie pawlett Scott wright, even Connor McLennan, a large Scottish core, plus Logan Hayes mcginn, flood, long time SPL/aberdeen players. we are a team full of foreigners now and have we gone forwards? Letās not make an issue of the terminology but look at the facts as Aberdeen fans, we are a mix match team now and does that help us? Different but similar, Man utd going through the same issues, few home grown local born, home nation players, itās the modern game I suppose. Iāve said it before, Iām concerned about us being a Scottish team with no Scottish identity. Would love a Scottish core, and some home grown local loons. I know itās in the past, but I wish we had the coopers, Simpsonās, Hewitt etc. I donāt think thatās xenophobic. -
Totally agree, by no means is he what we want. At the same time though, heās suited to Scottish football, polvara is not. A Scottish midfield needs physicality and bite, of course an athlete too (sivertās weakness.) I look at cammy devlin, hearts willo flood, athletic with bite and does a job in this league. You need piano players and piano movers, we only had finesse in midfield for much of today and it hurt us.
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Phillips is a good example, maybe a poor manās Rama. Plays on the front foot with bite, good athlete with engine. Polvara on roids.
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We absolutely need someone with bite. Polvara is a good athlete. We had three guys in midfield today who dont play on the front foot and canāt win a tackle. Ferguson and ramadani were great, but both had bite and physicality. We had three fairies in there today, who can all play well with a good physical partner.
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Terrible comparison but look at the approach a Fergie team took to coming to Glasgow. They were there to be beaten today.
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Sivert wasnāt the solution but heād have added a presence we severely lacked. His lack of pace and mobility would have hurt us. I also think he and Clarkson struggle to play together, get in each others way when Clarkson drops for the ball. Plus heās almost 34!
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Easy to say now but thought we got center mid totally wrong today. We needed to be up for this game and McGrath polvara and Clarkson are all nice players. No drive or bite from deep. Perfect game for palaversa or sivert (obviously injured), if polvara starts it has to be at 10 ahead of Clarkson and palaversa. Thought McGrath was a waste of a jersey today. Okkels again showed we shouldnāt be buying him, although I do think that decision has been made, gave it away endlessly before being subbed. Topi was topi, worked hard but also gave the ball away most of the time. midfield has very poor, no real cohesion or ball movement, no bite, physicality, or desire to be aggressive, hence we were second best all day. as I said earlier, we were shite and created quite a few chances. What if weād tried to dictate and dominate from the start? We got the approach totally wrong and gave a terrible team so much respect and time, that we gave them time and confidence to grow into the game. Dont think any other team in the league does that vs rangers. Absolutely got what we deserved. big game for our player of the year. Where was he??? Absolute joke he got that award. totally willing to give JT time but our management team needs a fiery coach. Far too passive in our approach yet again and that comes from preparation and leadership. They donāt have the bite and neither does our team. JT still hasnāt learned Scottish football and needs to wise up.
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And had we tried to win the game instead of letting rangers dominate and get confidence, we create a ton more chances, knock down a poor team, score goals, and win.
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Switched off, not watching now. We beat ourselves against a team that have been shit at home. Very disappointing but first half not playing to win killed us.
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Thatās an easy blame but itās more than that. Tobers looks match unfit but who is taking command in midfield. Weāre getting overrun, and I say that right as Milne should score. As mentioned, we donāt have a Connor Barron like sivert may do, who will dictate the game. 3 now.
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Rangers have pressed us all game and given us little time on the ball and we give it away endlessly. On the other hand, they seem to have endless time on the ball.
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100% agree with cowan and the mental fatigue/weakness. We are not a mentally tough team and that has to be addressed in the summer.
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We are not fine at all. Rangers are a shit team who havenāt won at home in 7. Down 2-0 now because we gave them a half to settle, dominate, and get confidence. We could get a doing here and fuck any confidence we have for Wednesday and the cup final. Piss poor approach against a piss poor team.
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Itās a game we need to win. Hoping we at least try to win it in the second half. Could be worst right now but I think the mentality is wrong. If leven goes to killie hoping we get an assistant with a bit more bite/passion, we lack that in our approach.
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0-0 at half, two poor team but rangers better so far. Rangers have missed two very good chances. One change at half please, Morris for okkels who has been very poor, maybe Jensen for devlin if heās injured. Ambrose score the winner?
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Rob McLean said it right there, massive opportunity because rangers arenāt very good. Weāre not taking it, lack of real desire fight and passion for the game as far as I see. Do we want third?? dabbagh scores but clearly off, still 0-0.
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Ffs. 1-0 right before HT, although var may disallow it. Too easy for rangers, we donāt have the stones for these games.
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Started ok but fallen out of it. Rangers the better team just based on possession. We, much like a lot this season, cannot keep the ball, far too careless/clumsy. Rangers are poor and weāre not brave enough to take it to them. prob similar to last week? Dressers should have scored but not many chances so far.