Panda

From P&J, Horneland was asked: “There are a lot of rumours about you and Aberdeen. “Are you going to become their new manager?” Horneland replied: “To you? Today? Really (appearing reluctant to discuss the subject).” On whether he is going to become Aberdeen’s new manager, he then added: “No. “First I’ll have a little, short break. Then we’ll see what happens in the summer.” Think there's a few ways to interpret that. Like I said before, is this guy really worth the effort? He did well at Brann, but plenty of other choices out there.

Looks like I got lucky you weren't up for the debate then

Nah, I read the interview, and the Daily Record have put a very negative spin on it. He's clearly going to make excuses for not being at his best, but I don't think he was slagging Aberdeen off. What he actually said was:- "I went on loan to Aberdeen. Jimmy Thelin, who I'd previously worked with at Elfsborg, was the manager there. That was the reason for my choice. Aberdeen is also a great club. I spent a few months there. "It was decent...well, sufficient. I played some minutes, scored a few goals. It was especially important for me to be playing again. "What I did notice was that Scotland is a different league than the Eredivisie. It was a lot more physical and there were a lot of high balls. Plus, it rained a lot. "It was a league that might not be as suitable for someone with my qualities. I love the Eredivisie because it suits my playing style. But it was good to go to Scotland; I was playing football again. "When Utrecht came, it was a great opportunity for me. The country, the league, the people. I really wanted to return to the Netherlands. And I'd heard good things about Utrecht. "When I went on loan to Aberdeen at the start of this season, I wasn't match-fit. I needed that time there. Now I feel like I'm fully back."

I'd be very surprised if Hearts still have a chance to win the title by the final day of the season. They have what looks like a decent run of fixtures before the split, but I'm not convinced they'll win all their home games. Falkirk, Aberdeen, Motherwell. I think they'll drop points in one or two of them. You'd probably say the longest odds are on us taking points there, as pish as we have been this season, but you can't underestimate Tynecastle being a very nervy place if it's not going their way and we could essentially have the pressure off. Even then, I don't see them coping well with the top six. Both the Old Firm and likely an Edinburgh derby at Easter Road against a Hibs side giving everything to beat them. It's a big ask. They need to go into the split with a healthy lead and I'm not sure they'll have it.

Firstly, hitting the post or bar isn't bad luck for them or good luck for us. Those shots were not on target. They were also all chances outside of the box. Celtic had few inside the box because very seldom did they manage to cut us open or get in behind us. That's a sign of a very good defensive performance. But if we're talking big chances, Polvara and Gueye passed up big ones for us in full-time. Gueye passing the ball to Schmiechel when he just had to put it left or right of him was a bigger chance than Maeda's for them, in my opinion. Mitov made a big save, Schmiechel didn't have to. That suggests we got more luck with our goal than they got for theirs, which isn't true. Doesn't matter if you expect him to score. Mitov made a great save. You absolutely are downplaying it. We nullified Celtic. While we took a while to be an attacking threat, we kept our shape, defended well, didn't crumble when 1-0 behind, Thelin made good subs at the right time, outthought Rodgers, and we had three big chances after our goal to win it. We then had fine our homework on penalties. To call it a fluke or luck is utter tosh. What next? We were lucky it rained in Gothenburg?

https://www.afc.co.uk/2026/02/19/dunfermline-a-ticket-information/ Initial allocation of 3,700. £20 a ticket which is very sensible pricing. Sales begin Tuesday.

You've jinxed it. Definitely getting beat now. #LutzOut #LevenOut #SackTheBoard

There's not a single comment in this thread suggesting we'll lose

What luck did we have? Celtic not being at their best isn't luck. Our tactics were set up to nullify them, and they did.

Ah didn't they were pals, I guess that explains it somewhat, but still. Need a nasty streak to win things here.

One thing I noticed last night. Milanovic looking like he was begging John Beaton not to send off the Motherwell lad in the first few minutes. Some would praise him for fair play, but fucking hell mate, we need every advantage we can get just now. Let the ref send him off.

Good chance Armstrong might be back (think Leven said injury wasn't too bad but Wednesday was just a bit too soon for him). Would start him ahead of Milanovic. Other than that, same team as much as possible (dunno the situation with Shinnie/Geiger, hard to keep on top of suspensions these days). With five subs available I don't think you should make too many changes though unless necessary.

Was gonna post this in the Motherwell match thread, but seems apt to just start this one early. Was just saying to someone on my way home from work there that the Dunfermline tie being away is the best thing that can happen to us. If it had been at home, of course it increases our chances of winning, but it's another 9,000 home crowd, a win expected, and even if we get through it's not going to give our season a massive lift. The same way it didn't when we beat Raith Rovers in the last round. Sometimes even reaching Hampden gets a muted response. But away from home, Saturday night, 2000-3000 travelling fans - maybe even more - the away end buzzing. One of those nights that - if we win - you get that connection between the fans and the players that we've seldom had this season. The new signings get to see just how good our away support can be if they deliver good performances. A "proper cup tie" if you like, a chance to make Neil Lennon greet. It's something to look forward to which we really, really needed to keep the enthusiasm going for this season. Also, despite Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell having significantly better league seasons than us, the odds on us winning a trophy are a lot shorter than it is for them, which is really quite something. Tickets: Stand behind the goal holds 3,000. When Hibs sold it out they were given an extra 1,000 in the main stand and in the stand opposite, turning the ground almost into a 50/50 split. Saturday night will put a few off but we'll still take very decent numbers I'm sure.

I was only joking when I said this

Or maybe not..