Dons struggle in emotional game

Aberdeen remain five points clear in the race to finish in third spot despite a frustrating goalless stalemate against Hibs at Pittodrie.

The Gothenburg Greats were at Pittodrie to witness the match but the Dons could not deliver a performance, or win, to go with the emotion of their return.

It took a penalty save by Kelle Roos in the 79th minute to secure a draw.

Although under-par the Dons fought to grind out a valuable point in the bid to finish third.

That point’s value became all the more significant when news filtered through that fourth-placed Hearts had netted a leveller six minutes into injury time to draw 2-2 at St Mirren.

Aberdeen are five points clear of fourth-placed Hearts ahead of a crunch showdown at Tynecastle next Saturday.

In the 79th minute a shot from Harry McKirdy was adjudged, following a VAR review, to have struck Hayden Coulson’s hand.

Keeper Roos came to the rescue for a below-par Dons by saving Kevin Nisbet’s spot-kick which was fired down the middle.

Hibs’ Élie Youan also hit the woodwork twice with a shot in the 50th minute striking the post and a header cracking off the bar in the build-up to the penalty. Aberdeen keeper Roos salvaged a vital point with his late penalty save and a series of key stops

Hibs carried the more potent threat throughout but Dutch stopper Roos was up to the challenge.

Such is the attacking form of Hibs the Easter Road side had scored in each of their last 14 Premiership games (27 goals) prior to the Pittodrie clash.

However Roos ended that scoring form, which was Hibs’ longest run of scoring in consecutive topflight matches since August 2003.

Keeper Roos and the three centre-backs in front of him are making Pittodrie a defensive fortress.

His penalty save ensured Aberdeen’s Premiership clean sheet run at Pittodrie extended to five straight games.

That is the longest league shut-out run at Pittodrie since February 2012.

Roos is second in the Premiership shut-out table with 12 clean sheets from 28 games. He is beaten only by Celtic’s Joe Hart who has 15 shut-outs in 34 matches. Against Hibs Roos made five key saves and also stopped a penalty.

He brings a calmness and solidity to the keeper’s role which spreads from the back and through the team.

The keeper has been one of the players of the season for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen’s lack of depth at right wing-back and right-back needs to be addressed with at least two signings in that position during the summer transfer window.

For the second game in succession left-back Hayden Coulson played in the right wing-back role due to the absence of Ross McCrorie. Vice-captain McCrorie, who has operated at right-wing back, is currently sidelined having recently undergone hernia surgery. Coulson was primarily up against left winger Youan who was allowed the space to twice hit the woodwork.

On-loan defender Coulson also came close to scoring a superb goal in the 44th minute when volleying inches over from 20 yards at the end of a quick-fire passing move.

Coulson is set to return to parent club Middlesbrough, where he recently signed a new deal, at the end of the season.

Aberdeen are also in talks with Bristol City over a potential £2 million summer transfer of McCrorie to the Championship outfit.

Meanwhile, Jayden Richardson was on the bench against Hibs. It is only the second time Richardson has featured this year. His only previous game-time in 2023 came in a 5-0 loss to Hearts under former boss Jim Goodwin for just 19 minutes.

Aberdeen are understood to be in advanced talks with Livingston right-back Nicky Devlin with the view to a summer move to Pittodrie.

Securing Devlin would be a positive move towards fixing the right wing-back conundrum but would not completely solve it.

At least one more signing in that position would be required to provide cover and competition.

Aberdeen celebrated the Gothenburg Greats but could not deliver a win to end the day on a high.

A commemorative plaque near the main entrance at the Main Stand was unveiled in honour of the club’s greatest ever team prior to kick-off. Just a day earlier the Gothenburg Greats and Aberdeen FC had received the freedom of the city at a ceremony at Pittodrie.

Inspirational skipper Willie Miller carried the trophy on to the pitch before kick-off. As the legends stood in the centre circle the Red Army raised the Pittodrie roof, singing The European Song.

The Red Shed unveiled a breathtaking banner that spanned the entire length of the stand.

It read “heroes” and was emblazoned with image of the Gothenburg Greats, in front of the Ullevi Stadium.

The Dick Donald Stand also produced a stunning display with fans holding up placards to read 1983.

The Gothenburg Greats did the club and the Granite City proud by dominating Europe.

Aberdeen supporters reciprocated that 40 years on by showing their enduring gratitude.