This week, with Aberdeen secure in the knowledge relegation won’t be happening, we ask: Is it time to throw Dante Polvara into the team and see what the January signing from the US can do? There’s also praise for developing Dons talents Connor Barron, Vicente Besuijen and Jack MacKenzie following the 1-0 win over Dundee, which didn’t do much to dampen questions over where Christian Ramirez’s future may lie. Plus, despite their awards snub, Ross County had a good week drawing at Hearts - and...

On this week’s Northern Goal, troubling times at Aberdeen as loss to Livi reconfirms bluntness in attack, inability to keep goals out and psychological fragility. No doubt Jim Goodwin's rebuild is needed, but – like Terry Butcher at Hibs – is he learning he should have waited? And is the mood music of the last week telling us Christian Ramirez and Calvin Ramsay are going? Meanwhile, Andy Skinner tells us why he thinks Ross County’s Malky Mackay and Regan Charles-Cook should be named Manager...

We start this week's episode of Northern Goal by reflecting on Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack's RedTV Q&A, before previewing this weekend's post-split opener at home to Livingston. Is Calvin Ramsay good enough for Liverpool, and is this the peak of Lewis Ferguson's potential transfer value to the Dons? Plus, Ross County could be even better now the pressure's off - starting with Celtic this weekend - couldn't they? Inverness are so close to sealing third, while surely (surely) Cove...

After a meek display against Ross County saw Aberdeen condemned to the bottom six, the Dons are now trying to avoid being drawn into a relegation play-off fight. Did Jim Goodwin’s early squad reshaping moves affect the clash, and what further players are likely to be moved on from Pittodrie? Home top six fixtures have put Ross County odds-on for a transformative European football adventure, while – across the Kessock Bridge – Inverness’ hopes of finishing second in the Championship look to be...

This week, we react to the news of Aberdeen legend Andy Considine’s impending departure and the subsequent fallout. We ask how new boss Jim Goodwin’s objective and reasonable (depending who you ask) call to let the veteran go, combined with a likely emotional reaction from the player’s camp and some fans, saw the situation spiral out of control in the build-up to a huge Premiership game against Ross County and on the day a new record-breaking shirt sponsorship deal was announced. There’s also...

This week, the panel discuss what Aberdeen midfield star Lewis Ferguson is worth now he has started for Scotland. Should he stay this summer, is the best Dons midfield set-up Ferguson, Connor Barron and Ross McCrorie? And why have backroom staff Gordon Marshall and Adam Stokes left the club? With Dundee up next for the Dons and Ross County playing Hearts, the panellists give their verdict on which teams will end up fourth, fifth and sixth in the Premiership for the split. There’s also the...

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss a huge game at the top of League One as Cove look to cement their title hopes on the road against nearest-challengers Airdrieonians. At the bottom end of the table, Peterhead are in desperate need of a result to drag themselves clear of lingering danger. Elsewhere, we look at Connor Barron’s emergence into an influential figure in the Aberdeen midfield, Caley Thistle’s mini-revival ahead of the play-offs and a look at some of the potential new faces...

We discuss what the experience of Jonny Hayes and Andy Considine is worth at Aberdeen in a week where the signing of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was labelled ‘an absolute disaster’. This weekend’s clash with Hibs is the ‘definition of a must-win’, as the Dons bid to end a miserable winless run and keep top-six hopes in their own hands, but – when the campaign is over - is Jim Goodwin’s summer rebuild going to involve a few St Mirren players? Ross County will try to take their own big step to securing...

This week, the panel discuss why the writing was on the wall for Scott Brown at Aberdeen and ask where the signing ranks in recent Dons history. Ross McCrorie is the frontrunner to be the next captain, but can Jay Emmanuel-Thomas save his Reds career? There's also analysis of what Jim Goodwin will be prioritising during Aberdeen's week off. Then, Sophie Goodwin explains how huge a moment for women’s football in the north-east Aberdeen Women's Pittodrie debut is. Plus, Ross County's European...

This week, Aberdeen continue to rack up miserable records with defeat at Hearts. New boss Jim Goodwin will be in no doubt over the scale of the Pittodrie rebuilding job this summer, but will a continued winless run actually serve to strengthen his recruitment power? We also ask - did the Tynecastle display show veteran midfielder Scott Brown is in the final few months of his playing career? Meanwhile, we focus on Joseph Hungbo following Ross County’s battling result at Motherwell, and...

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss the early impressions made by new Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin, who took charge for the first time last weekend. We also look at the lack of form of our two Highland clubs, Ross County and Caley Thistle, as they try to right their seasons and ensure they have a positive ending. In the lower-leagues, Elgin’s troubles show no sign of abating, Peterhead strive to get away from the bottom of League One while Cove Rangers face an important few days in both...

This week, our panel discuss Aberdeen's manager hunt - and why frontrunner Jim Goodwin's track record and general upwards trajectory makes him the right man to turn around the Dons - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer notwithstanding. Goodwin will have a job on his hands, though, as we also review what went wrong for Stephen Glass at Pittodrie, with the underperforming Reds heading back to Fir Park on league business this weekend. We also discuss Ross County's fascinating capture of former Premier League...

A Funso Ojo-led second half fightback can’t hide an awful first half from Aberdeen against Celtic. Will the second half side – including Ross McCrorie at right-back, Funso Ojo in midfield and Matty Kennedy – start their season-defining Scottish Cup clash at Motherwell? Is the nightmare away game run and the Dons’ crisis of confidence on the road going to affect the tie – and pile huge pressure on Stephen Glass? A point for never-say-die Ross County despite a below-par showing, and a...

This week, reaction to Aberdeen not signing a striker in the transfer window. With Marley Watkins injured, is there now unfair pressure on Christian Ramirez? Dylan McGeouch staked his claim in the Dons’ midfield in the 1-1 draw at Ross County, but questions remain about Funso Ojo in attacking midfield. Given their away form, is Saturday’s trip to Livingston a scarier proposition for Aberdeen than Celtic at Pittodrie? For County, holding on to Regan Charles-Cook was their best piece of January...

This week we discuss Aberdeen’s defeat at St Mirren and what it revealed about the squad. Which players are Dons fans right to say aren’t up to the job? If Ryan Hedges’ and Calvin Ramsay’s heads are elsewhere – should Aberdeen cash in over the next few days? Plus, Jamie Durent explains why he thinks Ryan Duncan has a big Aberdeen future, having seen him play for Peterhead. Meanwhile, it’s been baptism of fire for Declan Drysdale at Ross County following their loss to Dundee United, and...

This week, and ahead of the Scottish Cup fourth round, the panel reflect on the pile of positives from Aberdeen’s 1-1 Premiership draw with Rangers at Pittodrie – the high line, pressing, brave passing, resilience and even the dark arts (Scott Brown in particular) – but it’s also clear reinforcements are needed to add more attacking strength in depth. We then discuss Regan Charles-Cook’s latest wonderful display after his hat-trick saw 10-man Ross County beat Motherwell, and more evidence of...

This week, Northern Goal returns with the latest transfer news from Pittodrie – with Ryan Hedges, Calvin Ramsay, Lewis Ferguson, Jamie McGrath, Ryan Broom and Dean Campbell all discussed, as well as other signing suggestions thrown in for good measure. Sean Wallace gives up the lowdown on new boy Dante Polvara after speaking to Georgetown coach Brian Wiese. Plus, an interview slip-up reveals Kayne Ramsay is heading on loan to Ross County. Also, what can Caley Thistle do to shore up against a...

This week, Teddy Jenks showed against St Johnstone there may be role for him at Aberdeen, while Dave Cormack's AGM interview reveals he expects Calvin Ramsay to be extremely hot property in January. Does it make sense for the Dons to offload Ryan Hedges in the winter window? And what of injury-ravaged out-of-contract centre-back Michael Devlin? Plus, Sophie Goodwin reviews the first half of Aberdeen Women's SWPL1 season, Ross County show it's the nature of defeat that kills you, while...

This week, the front four sparkle as Aberdeen score four against St Mirren, with St Johnstone up next. Has JET proved his value to the Dons? Plus, why Christian Ramirez looks certain to hit at least 20 goals, and the Red Army get an early Christmas present from Andy Considine. In part two, we ask if Ross County are cursed to not get a decent run of games this term, and whether a huge win over Kilmarnock in the Championship, but two cup exits, constitutes a good or bad week for Inverness?...

In this week’s episode, the panel discuss Caley Thistle’s big week in both league and cup and the importance of Billy Mckay’s goals to their chances. Elsewhere Ross County’s Joseph Hungbo gets credit for his displays, while Aberdeen face potential six-pointers in the Premiership to try resurrect a stuttering campaign. Cove Rangers impress as they too look to balance league and cup commitments, Peterhead press on in the Scottish Cup while Elgin’s underwhelming season to date is assessed.

Cup double-winning former Aberdeen manager Alex Smith continues his chat with Ryan Cryle and Paul Third about his life in football. In the second part of the interview, Smith details finding 1989 League Cup hero Paul Mason in Holland, as well as telling young star Eoin Jess he’d be starting the Hampden final against Rangers. The veteran boss also reveals how he broke the news to Reds legend Willie Miller he wouldn’t play in the 1990 Scottish Cup final against Celtic, his total faith...

Cup double-winning former Aberdeen manager Alex Smith talks to Ryan Cryle and Paul Third about his life in football. Now based in Australia, Smith details his friendship with Scotland legend Billy Bremner, revealing not just Bremner’s Aberdeen roots, but also how he almost brought him to Pittodrie to be his assistant. Ex-Reds gaffer Smith then details the chain of events which led to Dutch icons Theo Snelders and Hans Gillhaus signing for Aberdeen.   Part two of Northern Goal’s chat with...

This week, we dedicate our opening section to the north-east derby between Cove Rangers and Peterhead, before musing on Ryan Hedges contract situation at Aberdeen. Do all the signs point to an exit? Continuing to put a bit more focus on the lower leagues during the international break, we discuss Elgin’s plight ahead of their League Two basement battle with Cowdenbeath, with Championship hopefuls Inverness looking to take advantage of Dunfermline’s struggles and put their indifferent run to bed.

In this week's regular episode, we discuss the vital role Marley Watkins and Ryan Hedges have played in Aberdeen's return to form, while we also ask whether stand-in Dean Campbell might just keep regular left-back Jack MacKenzie out of Stephen Glass' team. Will a week of disruption following Hibs' Covid outbreak have killed Ross County's barely-hatched momentum, and can Caley Thistle get over their blip at Ayr? Plus, with Cove going blow-for-blow with Queen's Park at the League One summit,...

Ryan Cryle is joined by writer and broadcaster Ally Begg, who discusses his book on Aberdeen's Continental adventures through the decades. In this interview, Ally explains why his look at the Dons' European story is the first in a series of books on the Dandies, telling stories from the Alex Ferguson era which have been included in his latest project and revealing how he got in touch with not just Reds legends, but also players who have starred for Aberdeen's Euro rivals - from Real Madrid to...