Panda

Well there's also a Finnish defender and a Montenegro international potentially joining the trip to Portugal too...

This could probably go in any of the three forums. Former Celtic defender John Clark. An Aberdeen connection there as he was assistant manager at Pittodrie in 1977.

Midfielder and striker arriving before Portugal hopefully. New home strip coming Wednesday.

We have the fourth hardest start according to Opta. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp3lnywpznwo

Although, even being seeded, their projected list of opponents looks tricky.

As tough as Hibs' drawing Midtjylland is, it could work out well for him. Although underdogs, not an impossible tie to win, and if they do I think they would take Midtjylland's seeding for QR3 (draw is before the QR2 games are played) so would be seeded for QR3. Good chance for them to get to the play-off round. They'll lose 5-0 on aggregate.

Hmm

Sensational from Aberdeen's admin

My main gripe is three of our four games over the festive period being away (five if you include the league cup final), and I can't make the one home game as a mate is selfishly getting married in Glasgow, which the fixture list hasn't considered. But, think most games after the European matches are at home. And I don't mind a tough start, get wired in early and set our stall out. Playing Hearts and Celtic will bring back great memories of Hampden last season.

You know what, I'm gonna do something very rare as it's very seldom this happens to me, but I take it all back. I had a big argument ready there about how the team in 12th in League One is probably on a par with 12th in the Premiership. But I just went and had a look at Barnsley's squad and they're fucking shite. And Stockport (who finished third) have Sam Cosgrove. Sorry everyone, dunno what came over me. I'll reflect on this and be better.

Derek Adams said League Two was Scottish Premiership standard (well actually, he said Morcambe were 100 times better than what Ross County were producing). I say the majority of League One is on a par with the majority of the Scottish Premiership, and in the words of Derek Adams, I stand by it. Typical <enter Rico's profession> sensationalising comments for clicks though.

By all accounts did well in League Two with Barrow, be interesting how he does with the step up. Despite how much Scottish football fans bristle at the suggestion, the majority of League One is probably on a par with the majority of the Scottish Premiership.

Jayden Richardson signing for St Mirren. He's going to be brilliant against us isn't he?

Considering the enormous influx of Dutch players in Scotland over the years, was surprised to learn how few Scots have played in the Eredivisie. There appears to have only been 20, two of which were Jimmy Calderwood and his son, Scott. Scott Booth played for three clubs (Vitesse, Utrecht and Twente), and Jamie Smith was there pre-Aberdeen (Den Haag). Frank Ross was the most recent to go there (Go Ahead Eagles). Of the 'Big Three' - Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV - there's only been two Scots. Ally Dick (Ajax) who won the UEFA Cup with Tottenham and was a ECWC runners up with Ajax, but injury curtailed his career. He only went to Ajax because Rangers elected not to sign him because he was a catholic. George Johnston (more English with a Scottish dad) had a spell at Feyenoord a few years ago. PSV appear to have never had a Scot.

Lewis Ferguson been linked with Napoli. They've just signed De Bruyne, and McTominay is having the time of his life there. Be a good move for him, and if Napoli can find a way to fit McTominay and Ferguson into the same midfield (and Gilmour) then it can only help Scotland.

To be fair, we probably want them knocked out nice and early so he gets a proper rest over summer. Now he a good lad Topi and get yourself sent off.

Not usually a fan of vlogs at the matches, but interesting to watch how it all unfolded from the Celtic end.

What's everyone's views on the club World Cup? Gonna be watching it? Think it's going to be shite? Think there's a future in it? Hope it crashes and burns? I don't think there's an clamour from fans to proclaim a world champion. I think PSG fans are happy enough to say they're the best in France & Europe, and proving they're better than some Brazilian team won't bother them. The World Cup is special because everyone can qualify for it. This is just another competition Aberdeen can forget about ever being in. And it's not the best 32 club teams in the world. It's not even the best European teams going. Hope, just for Infantino, it's a disaster.

Reckon we'll still win it. That's the League Cup. Motherwell were also punished although their 800 reduction is suspended. You're allowed to do what you like in the Scottish Cup.

...like a new signing. Sorry. Was eating me up inside.

Okkels wasn't a traditional winger like Morris - he wasn't going to skip by players and put in crosses. I don't recall him having much pace either. His game was to sit wide, exchange passes, track back when the left-back had gone forward, and play almost as an inside forward; arriving late into the box. He didn't really excel in the role, but it clearly was successful under Thelin in Sweden so has worked before. I think Thelin is looking for a similar type of player, and if Okkels' transfer fee wasn't so high he'd probably sign him long term. Besuijen is a similar player - he probably has more to his game than Okkels and has more experience of Scottish football. The only doubt over him is his injury record. If he can't prove his fitness he'll be gone in summer, but he was back training towards the end of the season so here's hoping pre-season goes his way and he could be like a... I'm not going say it.

There probably is space for one more winger only if Besuijen is leaving. But he looked good before his injury and maybe Thelin's system suits him. I imagine he'll probably leave when his contract expires next summer anyway, but I'd give him a chance until at least January.