Panda

It wasn't penalty though, was outside the box.

Scales is an interesting one. Was arguably at fault for our second and third goals, but in the main I thought him and Miovski had a really good battle. That Miovski edged the battle is more down to him being a magnificent player and Aberdeen doubling up on Scales & Taylor - Miovski always had Duk or Clarkson to play off of, while Barron kept tearing forward to battle for any knockdowns. I do think we should make another move for him. I think he might realise he'll be back up there next season.

Go on then, what was wrong with the BBC coverage?

What a prediction. I knew it would go to penalties and that we would concede three goals. The thing to note about the penalties - Brendan Rodgers said Celtic practiced them that week in training, I don't think (or at least it didn't look like) we did. Maybe it's just a standard thing Celtic do before a cup tie, but was interesting they considered the prospect of spot kicks while we didn't. They certainly all looked more confident from the spot than we did.

Hoilett looked a player today. Is there scope to keep him beyond summer? A full pre-season and we could get a good campaign out of him. Duk showed he is still an exceptional talent, if raw. Barron I thought was great, but seems very unlikely we'll have him next season. We need a few like him in summer; energetic midfielders comfortable with the ball at their feet. He didn't need to do anything exceptional - it was Clarkson making the nice through balls. But someone doing the dirty work, pressuring Celtic in midfield, and making the simple passes was needed. Sokler doesn't have the finishing instincts of Miovski, but a year being his understudy, he might be worth a chance and he played well at Hampden. Likely will still need another striker though. The defence. Gartenmann, MacDonald and Rubezic all have their good and bad moments. We could improve on all three. Likewise, you expect Rubezic to stay and maybe one other. Clarkson, there's still a talented player there. McGrath, like someone said on the match thread, sometimes hard to know where to play him. Doesn't offer width, not massively skilful, didn't really hurt Celtic. But he's not someone I'd write off either. He sometimes looks his best playing almost as a second striker. At least five big signings needed, presuming Miovski & Barron leave.

What a video

Drained. Gutted. But, I will say, the sight of the limbs in the Aberdeen end at all three goals was better than seeing the northern lights.

See Celtic have a tifo planned for tomorrow. As far as I'm aware we've not organised one, and Rangers/Hearts were told they're not allowed as they couldn't get in the day before.

We have 881 unsold as of midnight Friday, out of an allocation of maybe just under 10,000 it looks like. Celtic have been selling tickets up to section B1 in the west stand, and up to N3 in the South Stand upper deck, so there's going to be a lot more green than what's on the below map. If my maths are correct (not always so) then we're taking just over 9,000, despite a lunchtime kick-off in Glasgow, live on the BBC, off the back of a horrendous season, lost 6-0 to Celtic on our last trip to Glasgow, no wins at Hampden over Celtic since 1992, an aggregate score of 19-2 I think it is in the past 14 years v Celtic at Hampden, no permanent manager yet in place, our captain suspended, and a referee who consistently gives us nothing. I'd say that's a terrific support.

Tbf, Aberdeen kicked up a hell of a fuss in 2000 when they were refused a 50-50 split for the final. At one point they threatened to boycott the final (would Gordon Bennett have been CEO at the time? Sure it pre-dated Keith Wyness) and it even made it onto Watchdog. They didn't get their wish for that final, but the result was that ever since then, non-old firm teams have always been offered a 50-50 split for the Scottish Cup final if they want it, and Aberdeen (2017), Hibs (2001, 2013, 2016) and Hearts (2019 & 2022) all got 50/50 splits v the old firm. (Notable ones that didn't get were Dundee United & Motherwell but I'm sure they didn't ask for 50/50). Jim Leighton getting injured in the final and us having no substitute goalkeeper also led to five subs being allowed in the Scottish Cup, so our pain was for the benefit of Scottish football. So, chances are if we make the final we get a 50/50 split, so this whole narrative of "semi final sales will determine..etc" would be a change in previous procedure. Obviously, semi-finals and the League Cup final are different. Any sensible person should accept if you're going to play the semis in Glasgow with a lunchtime kick-off, most clubs will be affected by that and accordingly will sell fewer tickets. Amazing we still have to explain this to the SFA & the Old Firm every season.

Yes. Okay, Malcolm.

Fuck it, I'm going to this now. Club have played a blinder waiting until cup semi week to announce the new manager knowing the feel good factor would lift the players and support. I'm actually going to both semis, which ain't a great omen as last time I did that was 2012 when we lost to Hibs on the Saturday then Hearts beat Celtic the next day. Or is it a good omen cos Celtic lost their semi that year? Either way, Miovski 1-0.

If the man on the right can be as big a legend at Pittodrie as the man on the left we'll be alright. Mal Panton gets nowhere near the credit he deserves for the work he does there. But anyway, I can't fucking wait for the Jimmy Thelin era. Just got a feeling this guy is gonna do the business.

I like to think my speed, timing and accuracy embodies the new Jimmy Thelin era.

https://www.afc.co.uk/2024/04/16/dons-appoint-thelin-as-manager/ Confirmed as Aberdeen boss. Starts early June. Peter Leven takes the team until summer.

I think my hinted at social media post is the best we're gonna get. Our social media and PR game is dreadful these days. A reflection of the whole club.

If Elfsborg announce Jimmy Thelin to Aberdeen on our behalf, that would be quite funny. Although I suspect we're hastily arranging a social media post for lunchtime to proceed it. If Elfsborg announce Jimmy Thelin is staying, then the FMB should head to the airport now and get out of there before the storm hits.

Jimmy Thelin: "Min fru, som för övrigt är svensk och vacker, sa "Aberdeen!?"

3-0 Hammarby with five minutes to go. Well that's wonderful.

I've not been watching (might try finding a stream for the second half tho as it seems to be a thrilling game). I'm intrigued how Elfsborg have had 39% possession yet the majority of the chances. Hibs fans are going to hate us.

Two clean sheets in a row, that offers me some hope. Maybe, just maybe, we can recreate the spirit of 1990 and take it to penalties. I think we'll lose 3-0 though.

There seems to be an unwritten rule about criticising Peter Leven, like he's the young goat herder that is putting out the village fires in the absence of a properly established fire brigade. However, let's not forget he's one of the Cormack Park coaches that has helped create this shambles of a season. His fingerprints are all over the match box, even if he didn't light them (I'll stop now). And under his interim management - it's not something we've only just began doing, but I'm noticing it so much now - out attacking strategy appears to be to get to the edge of the box, then someone lobs it in and hope it falls for someone. So often over the last few weeks we have this wee school ground style stramashes in the box. It's embarrassing to watch us. See the whole "I hope Leven is part of the new coaching set up, he deserves it". I would clear out every single one of them. How the hell do we have a team of talented players performing this badly week after week?

Almost done Though kinda going off him the more I hear the way the surname is pronounced. Say what you like about Robson but he kept it simple.

Well this post has just jinxed the whole thing. FFS Orlando.