The signings of Elena and Nadine should be the Don of a new era
Aberdeen co-manager, Gav Beith, believes says the arrival of foreign experience should help turn around a disappointing start to the SWPL season.
His side travel to play Spartans this afternoon, having taken just one point – a home draw against Partick Thistle – from their opening four games.
Beith was encouraged by the performance against Glasgow City in their last outing, and said: “We’re in a place we don’t want to be in, but there’s only one way we can get ourselves out of it.
“That’s by performing and picking up points. We’ll be going full throttle to get that first win against Spartans. When that happens it’s a team that can go on a run.”
Aberdeen, who finished fifth last season, have traditionally found it difficult to persuade players to move to the north-east to join a largely young local squad.
That changed when former Finland youth cap, Elena Karkkainen, made her debut against City, and she was joined in midweek by Dutch signing, Nadine Hanssen.
The 28-year-old has played for PSV, Bruges and latterly Aston Villa in England’s top flight.
Hanssen is the partner of men’s team goalie, Kelle Roos, who has replaced Joe Lewis as No. 1 at Pittodrie.
She has been out of the game for 18 months after giving birth to the couple’s first child earlier this year, but was training with the women’s team prior to her signing.
The experienced midfielder is not yet fully match fit, but should be available soon.
“It’s one that almost falls into your lap, with Kelle being the men’s first-team goalkeeper,” Beith said. “Nadine brings quality, and has leadership skills on and off the park.
“She’s been out of the game for a while, but you can see in training that she’s starting to get back to what we know she can do.
“We’ll see how it develops this season, and beyond, hopefully. She can make a big impact once she gets herself fully fit.”
With Rangers, Glasgow City and Hearts all playing, and winning, in midweek, there are only two other games on today.
Celtic host Hamilton, who have made a good start to the season, at the Excelsior.
Fran Alonso’s side will join leaders Rangers – who have a big goal difference advantage – and City on 15 points if they win.
In the other game, bottom club Glasgow Women will try to get off the mark at Motherwell.