Lots to be done but Aberdeen 'will be competitive'
Sportscene's Steven Thompson and James McFadden discuss Aberdeen's form following their 3-2 defeat at Dundee United. (UK only)
Ethan Hamilton insists he gave no thought to leaving Dundee in the summer despite the Dens Park club turning down transfer bids from Aberdeen and the former Manchester United youth midfielder points out he still has 18 months left of his contract. (The Courier, external)
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Dundee United edge Aberdeen in five-goal thriller
Dundee United get the better of Aberdeen in a five-goal Scottish Premiership encounter (UK only).
Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Dundee United.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Graham: Results is what we need, not losses and excuses. Kevin Nisbet needs dropped and best to be sold, just not good enough. Stephen Robinson selected all these players and to a man they are just average and will not take Aberdeen to where we need to be.
Andy: It just isn't happening for Robinson. There are green shoots of hope going forward but all too often they lack the skills to make a telling final pass. The defence was awful. No leadership and players posted missing. Bottom six team certainly and perhaps fighting relegation.
Charlotte: Last season was awful, somehow it's gotten worse and things are looking bleak.
Fred: We still cannot defend. A good match but United seemed to want the win more. The manager said no excuses but of course made them in his [post-match] comments. We are definitely a bottom six team, our management and recruitment guarantee this.
Scott: Robinson simply has to be sacked. I can't see us beating a rejuvenated Falkirk in midweek and next weekend's League Cup semi-final against Rangers has humiliation written all over it. Fail to win these two, then the Hibs game, and it has to be game over for Robinson. He can then take nine or 10 of his signings with him.
George: Robinson is too loyal to poor players like Jack Milne and Afeez Aremu . Both players are too slow and cause a weak link in the team. Why does he persist with them? We are dangerously close to the bottom of the league and things need to change very soon.
Mats Knoester will have a scan on a thigh injury on Monday as Aberdeen sweat over the centre-back's fitness. (Press and Journal), external
Mats Knoester will have a scan on a thigh injury on Monday as Aberdeen sweat over the centre-back's fitness. (Press and Journal), external
Image source, SNSAberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson: "It's hard to take, because I thought we deserved something out of the game. Some of our play going forward was very good, but we concede three goals away from home.
"Those goals were really disappointing and I'm not going to hide away from that. You don't win games when you concede three away from home.
"We need to manage the game better at 2-2, we were very cavalier. Ultimately that's my fault. We didn't defend well in key moments and that's difficult to take because there's a lot of good stuff.
"The conditions were okay, both teams played well and there was some good football on show. It does make it difficult for defenders and goalkeepers, so it played a part in terms of mistakes but in terms of entertainment, people enjoyed it but we were on the wrong end of it.
"We've got a squad decimated with injuries and viruses, we have three centre-halves out. It's a difficult place at the moment, there's people playing who shouldn't be on the pitch and boys on the bench that shouldn't be.
"It is what it is. It's not an excuse, it's a fact. We scored two very good goals away from home, you have to come away with at least a point but we didn't do that.
"We need to shut up shop and manage the game better, as a group and as a manager. We didn't do that today."
Dundee United came out on top in a five-goal, rain-soaked, thriller at Tannadice with Zac Sapsford's brilliant header giving the hosts a Scottish Premiership victory.
Midfielder Stuart Armstrong says Aberdeen are not looking for excuses as their illness-hit squad prepares to take on Dundee United on Saturday. (Press and Journal), external
Image source, SNSDundee United have a doubt over Lachlan Rose, who injured his ankle after coming off the bench against St Johnstone.
Mehdi Merghem (knee) is closing in on a return, while Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei (knee) are still out.
Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson is set to make a late decision on his team after revealing several players have been affected by a virus this week. Kristers Tobers is still out as he recovers from injury.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson's Aberdeen team selection for the game at Dundee United on Saturday will be a "last-minute decision" after a virus hit the squad this week.
Head coach Robinson revealed multiple players have been struggling in the build-up to the trip to Tannadice, where a Dons victory would lift them into the top six.
"We've had a virus going through the club, unfortunately," said Robinson.
"That's been all week, so we've had players in and out of training and that's ongoing at the moment. Some people are going down with things today and some people are coming back recovered.
"It will be a last-minute decision in terms of the team, it will depend how certain players wake up tomorrow.
"I've got an idea of how I want to set up, but that has already changed today so we'll see where we are tomorrow morning.
"I believe we have a good squad. Sometimes someone's misfortune gives somebody else an opportunity. We have to decide for the boys that have had the virus whether or not they are fit enough to play.
"It's alright going back to sitting behind a desk but having to run around for 90 minutes is difficult. We'll pick a team we think can win the game.
"We had small numbers this week but we've been able to do good work with the boys that were there.
"We'll try and not make excuses. They've got a virus, it happens in life, and I'm sure at some point in the season it will happen to other teams."
Cal Gilkison
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before Aberdeen visit Dundee United in the Premiership on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from the Aberdeen boss:
The squad have been hit with a virus this week with multiple players impacted. Robinson says a few players have returned to training but "it will depend how certain players wake up tomorrow".
Team selection will be a "last-minute decision" and Robinson adds: "I've got an idea of how I want to set up, but that has already changed today so we'll see where we are tomorrow morning. I believe we have a good squad. Sometimes someone's misfortune gives somebody else an opportunity. We'll pick a team that we believe can win the game."
Robinson revealed Kristers Tobers' recovery has been disrupted by the virus after the defender had hoped to play in a reserve game on Wednesday.
Robinson was "really pleased" with his side's second-half reaction in their 3-1 win over St Mirren last weekend and praised his substitutes for making a "real impression".
On the game at Tannadice, the Dons boss says: " A result for either team will be really important. Dundee united have had a brilliant start to the season, but yet we're only one point behind them. It's an opportunity for both clubs to be in the top six by the end of play on Saturday. Certainly, that's what we aim to do."
Robinson stressed the importance of securing back-to-back league wins for the first time this season: "We haven't been able to follow up a really good result with another really good result. Momentum's everything. It's now trying to get a couple of wins in a row and that's not easy. When you do that in the Premiership you cement your place and get that momentum going so it's a very important game."
Robinson believes it's all about "getting the balance" right between the Dons being defensively solid and a potent attacking threat: "We've conceded the joint least goals in the league outwith Rangers and Celtic. It's getting that balance right and we're still trying to tweak that and still trying to find that balance."
Aberdeen great Joe Harper wants to see Ayoub Mouloua unleashed against Dundee United on Saturday. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)
Lyall Cameron has scored (2) or assisted (1) in his past three league appearances for Dundee United, just the third time he has recorded a goal involvement in three successive Scottish Premiership outings, also doing so in both December 2024 and May 2025 for Dundee.
Aberdeen have kept a clean sheet in the past two league games against Dundee United (W1 D1), as many as their previous 11 prior.
Dundee United have only suffered one defeat in their past nine home league games against Aberdeen (W6 D2), losing 3-1 in March 2023.
Dundee United are unbeaten in four league games (W2 D2); only once since the start of last season have they gone 5+ without defeat, doing so in December last term (5).
Aberdeen have picked up four points in their past two away league games (W1 D1), twice as many as their previous 14 beforehand (D2 L12).
Manager Stephen Robinson takes responsibility for Tony Yogane's slow start at Aberdeen but feels the winger is now getting into dangerous positions. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
One of the standout fixtures in the Scottish Premiership calendar takes place this weekend as Aberdeen make the short trip down the A90 to face Dundee Utd at Tannadice.
Dons fans love an away day in the City of Discovery, home before the Green Final, anyone?
It is a fixture that will forever bring back memories of the clubs' 1980s heyday when it was often a battle for title race points.
That may be a pipe dream these days but it is the clear match of the day on Saturday with the sides separated by a single point going into this one.
With a League Cup semi-final on the horizon, Stephen Robinson will have been relieved to have got over the line against St Mirren because it was threatening to turn into another difficult afternoon for the Dons.
Their second-half performance secured a victory the manager absolutely needed going by the reaction at half-time and coming after the powderpuff defeat to St Johnstone six days prior.
It won't have been often St Mirren went in at the break at Pittodrie having enjoyed almost 70% possession. Brad Lyons' spectacular opener aside, it was a grim watch for the home fans.
Aberdeen have lost just one of their past six games and yes, there are caveats such as failing to score and picking up just one point in two home matches against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone while surrendering a lead against a toiling Hibernian in among that, but Robinson will continue to accentuate the positives with that Hampden date against Rangers rapidly roaming into view.
But up first it's Tannadice as the Dons look for just a second away league victory of 2026 against a United side that is beginning to look a well-oiled machine under former Pittodrie boss Jim Goodwin.
Stephen Robinson says striker Ayoub Mouloua's ruthless Aberdeen impact in the win over St Mirren - after a week where he was only allowed to train on a static bike - has given him "food for thought". (Press and Journal), external
'Aberdeen fans still want to see better product on pitch'
Saturday's win over St Mirren was a vital victory for under-pressure Stephen Robinson, says Sportscene pundit Richard Foster, but the former Aberdeen defender believes Dons fans will still "want to see a better product on the pitch".
Watch Sportscene highlights of the weekend's top-flight action
Nesta Guinness-Walker is determined Aberdeen now power their way into the Premiership top-six, believing they could have scored "four, five or six" in their vital weekend victory over St Mirren. (Press & Journal)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
Watch all the highlights as Aberdeen inflicted a fifth successive defeat on St Mirren with their second Premiership victory at Pittodrie. Available to UK users only.
Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's victory over St Mirren.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Richard: Serious questions needs to be asked about why Stephen Robinson persists with this mindless hoofing of the ball up to Toyosi Olusanya. It's contributing to our poor starts within games. Robinson's bought himself a very temporary reprieve but fans don't want to win ugly. Football is supposed to be entertainment, not a form of torture.
Struan: Hats off to Mr Robinson. Going in at half time many a Pittodrie, myself included, had that familiar sinking feeling. St Mirren had totally outplayed us and another home loss beckoned. His half time subs were strong and set the foundation for Ayoub Mouloua to come on and make the difference, he may be the one to drive us up the league. Also that was a great goal by Brad Lyons and an even better call to sub him at half time.
Scott: I just don't know how good a win that was. Were we good in the second half, or were St Mirren poor? One thing is certain, Mouloua has to be starting every game, as he's the one piece of class we have up front. I remain far from convinced by Robinson. We have another international break coming up, and for me, results between now and then will determine his fate.
Graeme: Three points, but still this is not a convincing team. It will take a lot more than this to get me believing that Robinson has what it takes to manage Aberdeen
Neil: The proverbial game to two halves. After a flying start we slipped back to default settings and invited all the pressure that came our way, a better team than St Mirren would have buried us by half time. Having said all that a much improved second half I don't think anyone saw coming. Happy to get three points at home and surely Mouloua has to start against Dundee United next week
Richard: Not quite as big a steal as against Hearts but result hugely flatters us. Mouloua was great (and should start), Mats Knoester as ever a rock. Other than that only highlight was it was sunny. We are still a woeful team.
