St Johnstone and Aberdeen, who kickstart a new era under Swedish manager Jimmy Thelin, bring the opening weekend of Scottish Premiership football to a close at McDiarmid Park.
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00:00in crocker classic header has given Aberdeen the lead they might feel they should have added to that
00:08but they haven't as yet St Johnston did manage a little flurry of activity towards the end of the
00:15half but Aberdeen's lead is certainly a worthy one
00:29St Johnston only managed four home wins last season in the premiership they only scored 17
00:36goals here they haven't won a league match here in 2024 so it is time for them to stand up and
00:44be counted in this second half
00:48clicked on by Sokla
00:57how about this for a stat Aberdeen had 14 shots in that first half over the last 14 years they've
01:05only had more in the first half of a league game once against Hamilton in 2019 yeah i think if you
01:14Aberdeen fan you're really encouraged by that there will be to lean here and what a start
01:21another half to go mate
01:25let's make my weekend match start
01:27hahaha
01:44it's in his foot a bit of a twist there it's a really sore one
01:57so
02:01this is painful it has been deemed an accidental challenge from Alan Muir and VAR
02:14let's have a look at what happened
02:16well
02:34accidents do happen at times see me off ski showing concern
02:46looks like it is game over with Jack Sanders getting ready game over for Sam McClelland
02:57St Johnston did lose some very experienced defenders at the end of last season Liam
03:03Gordon Andy Considine Ryan McGowan is with us tonight plenty of experience there and
03:11a new back line
03:15that's not good not good at all stretcher on
03:26it's a real shame for Sam McClelland who was hoping to
03:30kickstart his time in St Johnston really having been said on loan to Dundee United last season
03:41as usual these things look rather innocuous at the time but now looks rather serious sadly for
03:51Sam McClelland Jack Sanders is another new arrival
03:56from Kilmarnock where he was down the pecking order
04:03Kilmarnock actually sent him out on loan last season to their
04:07local rivals United
04:12it's all about grabbing your opportunity when it comes along this is a
04:17unfortunate for Sam McClelland but opportunity for Jack Sanders to get on and
04:24prove a point to the manager Craig Levine show that he's capable and trustworthy
04:29and trustworthy
04:33he knows he's in for a test up against Mijovski
04:45and they will take their time to do their best for Sam McClelland here
04:51that's just hope he's
05:03gonna be out in the short term that's not a good look though
05:07so
05:20sit back right at the start of the second half for Craig Levine
05:30Sam McClelland
05:35strapped up and helped on to the stretcher
05:40so
05:51being halted for over four minutes now
06:10it doesn't look good at all for Sam McClelland on the floors from both sets of supporters for him
06:19so
06:33five-minute stoppage and now Jack Sanders will come on he's already scored for St. Johnson in the
06:43early cup defeat at Alloa but defending will be his
06:47main job especially up against Mijovski and Sokla tonight
06:57and he goes into that central position of the back three St. Johnson not tweaking it in any way
07:12so
07:17Cameron
07:19Rupesic always the favorite there ahead of Sidibe
07:25Nilsson for Magrath
07:30McKenzie
07:33Magrath
07:38could have gone much earlier into Sokla who had made a
07:43really good run time just run to perfection there was space in behind the past chance gone
07:53Lewis Nilsson
07:58Sidibe back to McPherson it's out of Kimpioka's reach
08:02it's a good idea McPherson initially making the forward run clever little header inside
08:10and a quick ball back towards the offside maybe so the early pass right idea
08:19connected well enough in that final third
08:24Kimpioka those goals in pre-season
08:27and needs to get the service
08:38McKenzie under pressure against Sidibe but he has seen them off
08:45Sidibe wanted a free kick for sure
08:50right
08:57so
09:17that will be a free kick now by Devlin
09:21McPherson
09:33this looks their best bet really St. Johnson
09:40it's that play delivery's been very good tonight
09:51so
10:06and that's that's slightly optimistic isn't it I'm not sure about that trying to catch Mitov out
10:15about better serve to get the ball down try and pop it wide crossing the box
10:29St. Johnson ultras are giving it their best shot
10:36Sidibe and Kimpioka lurking Nilsson counted down for Aberdeen
10:45so
11:05McKenzie tricked here by Gray-Wright
11:15did well there Gray-Wright initially McKenzie thought he had the legs on
11:19Gray-Wright
11:36right
11:40Sidibe, McPherson for right
11:47Jamie McGrath, now Mioski
11:51that's a lovely touch for Seydon Morris Aberdeen surging forward full of purpose
11:59Sokla, Shinny, Morris and Raymond has won that duel and
12:11got a free kick there's a bit of a waste in the end from a terrific break I just
12:17wonder whether Morris could have popped the ball out to Mioski earlier
12:23yep
12:36another one of those rather late flags
12:48Sidibe
12:49Sidibe
12:51fending off Shinny
12:55Gray-Wright
12:59up against Jack McKenzie supported here by Cammy McPherson
13:05Nilsson
13:11Wright
13:15Smith for McPherson
13:20and Rubicic across he loves it doesn't he Rubicic terrific defensive header
13:28just like that bit of Giles and Johnston do throwing balls in
13:34there's a defender who loves to defend
13:38I think he'll be satisfied Craig Levine the way his team have started this second half
13:46pressure on Aberdeen
13:49options on the bench as well
13:54Jimmy Tilleen just having a word with Jamie McGrath there
14:07Sanders
14:11Devlin
14:14Sokla
14:19and Jimmy Tilleen will probably get that control back for Aberdeen
14:26in the game headed for large parts of that first half
14:38Nilsson Wright
14:49so
15:06scoring has often been an issue for St. Johnston they need to
15:11find a goal somehow Kipioka surrounded
15:16kept it alive against the odds
15:42Raymond
15:46here's Cameron
15:56Cameron again
16:02McPherson
16:05so
16:12Jimmy Tilleen as the hour mark has arrived is uh going to make a change shortly
16:18which we'll see the arrival of the Senegalese striker Paf Ge
16:25and we think he's going to replace Seda Morris
16:28very right
16:39Smith Sidibe now he's going for goal
16:48he's gotta hit the target there Sidibe McPherson does well
16:54against the better of Nilsson that hasn't happened too many times this evening
16:58since his side shifts the ball inside and his stronger right foot is under pressure but
17:04hit the target there
17:08did do well when he came in from Warrington Rylands last season from the northern
17:13Premier League the seventh tier of English football
17:17Sokla
17:19Nilsson
17:20this is Jamie McGrath
17:24and that is 2-0 to Aberdeen
17:30they're under new management and they're looking the part
17:37well St Johnston have been the better team in their second half
17:42Aberdeen the opportunity did arise it's a brilliant finish but what about the pass from
17:50Nilsson it's a wonderful pass beautifully weighted
17:55when the ball back on the right hand side
18:00that ball back and then through forward run from McGrath and it's a really clever finish it is
18:06composes himself beats Ray at his near post but that first side ball that's exceptional it really
18:14is I think you can blame the goalkeeper Ray gets beaten at his near post
18:22McGraw just has a little look there composes himself connection is perfect
18:29accurate into the corner and Jimmy Tulane little sigh of relief there what a start
18:36loving Steve Nilsson's celebration for the goal as well I think he was celebrating his pass too
18:44I think we'll allow him that that was that was some ball not an easy pass to make that first time
18:52just stunned the ball bit of backspin McGraw clinical wonderful goal
19:00that game as expected did come on but Esther Sokla went off there and he was limping a little
19:05they were going to replace Shaden Morris but Sokla has picked up an injury which uh
19:13could be a concern as he shakes his head and scoring for fun in the league cup
19:19here is Gay
19:22here is Morris who wants you to go off but he's now racing towards goal
19:31I think he's had a good game I really do Shaden Morris he's been an excellent ball carrier
19:39Aberdeen got them up the pitch it's a shot off there doesn't catch it cleanly but the difference
19:48in the two teams so far this evening is the Aberdeen fans they're in a happy mood
19:56Aberdeen that cleverness that guile that craft St Johnston haven't
20:03done
20:07Jamie McGrath's corner
20:13cleared it first time and second
20:18Kipioka moved in on Shinny, Shinny has come back for a bit more rather predictably and that will be a free kick
20:34well you don't expect anything else do you
20:41likes to get stuck in can't be happy to get turned
20:45that's all he knows he'll get away from him Klaus shall not pass
20:49so McPherson will try again St Johnston look for a way back
21:03so
21:25St Johnston's lead is urgent in the last 25 minutes as Cammy McPherson hoists that in
21:33okay headed it away and Essel might have done better with that
21:42yeah he gets back good defensive header is a decent first touch from Essel and then wild
21:49like composure
21:52oh
22:08going there in the league cup this month
22:22just many a year ago
22:32a whole teammate of mine
22:42and they could do with something happening here McPherson
22:52McPherson
23:00is onto this
23:03I think Miyovsky was in had he got his head up on that right hand side Molloy
23:09favors that left foot of his Miyovsky was in difficult pass
23:24he's been steady hasn't he Molloy very
23:33there is Gay
23:44that's going to be a break-in
23:49surely on the receiving end yes it's Essel again
23:55now he has been booked a little smile there but
24:03that's not that's not a yellow card but he needs to be careful
24:09they are having a look at that challenge on the VAR front but check was quickly over
24:19what they're looking for
24:26he will have to be careful
24:33Ruvazic and Molloy both there with Miyovsky and Gay
24:48Essel being spoken to once more
24:54I don't think they're good mates are they Essel and Ruvazic
24:59they're doing it together
25:06feels like a long wait for this free kick
25:17Jamie McGrath to ask the question
25:20and Gavin Molloy got to that and wasn't seemingly that far away
25:26it's all about the ball that from Jamie McGrath fist in
25:30Molloy attacks it brilliantly pace on the ball
25:33it's all about the connection
25:36let's see oh he's not far away
25:41well attacked good header
25:44I won't surprise you too much that Eric Essel is going to be replaced
25:48here by Graham Carey who has always had a fair bit to offer
25:53St. Johnson nine assists in the championship last season only four players managed more
26:02he did have a goal rather controversially ruled out by VAR in this very fixture last season
26:15to the last 20 minutes Aberdeen in a good place
26:23St. Johnson have to score the next goal in this game but scoring goals has been an issue for them for such a long time
26:38and they've not managed anything on target tonight despite their 10 efforts
26:45yeah and that's that's a worry that's a concern
26:51I think they've been
26:54too unkind but they've played a pretty basic brand of football hence why I think Craig Levine's Chuck Carey on is
27:03trying to get someone on the pitch who can see a pass and play a pass
27:08be that that creator
27:11it's all been plenty of puff and plenty of puff but no real quality
27:21St. Johnson only scored more than one goal in a Premiership game six times last season
27:29and they never managed to score three goals in any game
27:33never seem to do that since funny enough St. Johnson almost a decade ago
27:42this team to not do that maybe I should say
27:46Bioski
27:53Nelson
27:57he's knitted things together really well for Aberdeen
28:02Nelson
28:05good experience of that midfield kept things simple
28:09Shadid Morris
28:11Shadid Morris
28:14movement ahead from Gay
28:17disappointing for Morris did he take a deflection?
28:20doesn't look like it
28:22you know what I think
28:24Gay's furious with Morris here
28:26makes a really good run well-timed run
28:32would you want that slipped to you?
28:34let's see
28:36alright that's a
28:39deflects really well
28:41off Cameron wasn't it?
28:43wasn't much of one
28:46I fancy maybe blinked
28:53Shadid Morris has gone down
28:56Shadid Morris
29:04he will need treatment
29:09the new Scottish Premiership season underway
29:12and in the second week
29:14we have Hibbs and Celtic live
29:16Sunday from 11.30pm
29:18on Sky Sports Football
29:26looks like his game is over
29:28and he will be replaced by
29:30a new signing
29:32in the Nigerian striker
29:34Peter Ambrose
29:38joined from
29:40Dosa
29:42for whom he scored
29:4410 goals last season
29:46in a struggling side
29:56Peter Ambrose did
29:58score in the
30:00emphatic League Cup win
30:02over Dumbarton
30:04well emphatic in the second half anyway
30:06when he scored all of their
30:08six goals
30:10and he's going to get the final quarter of an hour or so
30:12plus a hefty chunk of stoppage time
30:14after that injury at the start
30:16of this half to Sam McClellan
30:22he's had a good game
30:25Shadid Morris
30:27strong down that
30:29Aberdeen right hand side
30:31good outlook, driven his team forward
30:35Ambrose
30:37will go up centrally alongside
30:39Miovski, have a game
30:41out to the right
30:56Sam McKenzie will take this
30:58Aberdeen Bourne
31:09play right to
31:12giving Steve
31:14Nilton a clip there
31:20frustration from right
31:22and that was wrong from right
31:26wrong there didn't he
31:32Milsad's throw
31:34Miovski
31:38a little carry in his way
31:41Aberdeen's perspective
31:43it's important now they just don't get careless
31:45and let St Johnstone back into this game
31:49nice little cushion
31:51the two goal lead
31:53goal now
31:55everything can change
31:59in Italy now with Peter Levin
32:01who's on his staff
32:03he looked after things
32:05in the second half of last season
32:07either side of Neil Warnock
32:09McPherson
32:15free kick, here we go
32:17this is Pat Gay
32:19just his ninth appearance
32:21he was sent away on loan
32:23in the second half of last season
32:25as well
32:27less said about that one the better
32:29do you know what, that cross was the pass
32:31he should have made
32:3330 yards before
32:35there, had he hit that particular crossing
32:37then Miovski would have been in
32:39there, had he hit that particular crossing
32:41then Miovski would have been in
33:099,000 inside McDermid Park
33:119,000 inside McDermid Park
33:139,000 inside McDermid Park
33:15tonight
33:17almost 3,000 Aberdeen fans
33:19almost 3,000 Aberdeen fans
33:23good voice
33:31always make their presence felt on their
33:33travels, and they travel in numbers
33:35Raymond now
33:39It has gone out. It will be a corner.
33:57Jeremy McPherson having to retrieve the ball and take this.
34:09It's a free kick a moment ago. Went straight to meet off.
34:19Different plan here. It's Matt Smith going for the corner.
34:24And it's a typically good save from the former St Johnstone keeper.
34:29He hasn't been tested enough tonight. Probably was the first shot on target I suspect.
34:33Decent effort from Smith. He does telegraph it.
34:37It's a good left hand from Meadow.
34:40Carey's corner met by Rubicic.
34:44Graham Carey again.
34:48Cleared away by Gay.
34:50Ambrose.
34:52Shinny.
34:53Now Mioski and Raymond.
34:56And Raymond got the telling touch.
34:59Oh blimey I thought Mioski. He's got that yard hasn't he?
35:04Normally gets away from defenders but Raymond matched him and he had to.
35:17Mioski.
35:21Sanders makes the challenge on McGrath.
35:33Into the last ten minutes of the 90 but lots to be added on.
35:53Carey.
35:57Smith.
36:00St Johnstone can. Oh he has given the free kick.
36:10To the very right.
36:14Sidibe.
36:19Right with a swirler.
36:22Raymond is going to get to this.
36:26Carey didn't hang about.
36:30Sidibe.
36:32Way off.
36:34That's wild.
36:38Johnson need to get back into this.
36:41Rubicic actually gets the touch off the cross.
36:45Just doesn't compose himself. This is the Raymond challenge earlier.
36:49You can see Mioski straining but Raymond gets back brilliantly.
36:55Really good defending.
37:00Sidibe effort probably sums up St Johnstone this evening.
37:04Just lack the quality.
37:07Forward areas.
37:11St Johnstone's next three matches are away from home at Kilmarnock and
37:15Dundee United in the Premiership.
37:18And against Rangers at Hampden in the League Cup.
37:23Aberdeen's next three games are at home.
37:27St Mirren, Kilmarnock.
37:29Either side of Queen's Park in the League Cup.
37:38Raymond.
37:43And Dundee United.
37:46Raymond.
37:58Aberdeen heading for three points which would be more than they managed
38:02in their first five games in the Premiership last season.
38:11Nilsson.
38:15Sidibe.
38:17Kimpioka.
38:19St Johnstone claiming.
38:23Kimpioka fouled.
38:25He was fouled.
38:30It's being checked of course.
38:35Although the check is over now.
38:37Sidibe was, he just rushed his shot initially.
38:46Piotrowski.
38:48Ambrose was waiting to receive.
38:51That's Dred Gay. Couldn't find him in that.
38:53Really is Dred Gay.
38:57Dred Gay.
38:59Actually put themselves into a brilliant situation and that's,
39:02that's a wasteful pass.
39:05A difficult pass to make really.
39:09Actually could have over hit that somewhat with all the space in behind.
39:15Kimpioka.
39:23A double striker change shortly from Greg Levine.
39:26Nicky Clark and Mackenzie Kirk.
39:29Both being prepared.
39:38This is the challenge on Kimpioka.
39:42I think he's looking for a penalty there.
39:46Goes down too easily.
39:49And that ball, straight ball.
39:51I mean, what are you supposed to do with that?
39:53Dear me.
39:55It's all been too rushed.
39:59Listen, last season was difficult for Craig Levine.
40:01Didn't score enough goals.
40:03It looks like it's going to be a problem again this season.
40:07First game, hard to judge.
40:09But you need to be more creative.
40:11And Craig will know that.
40:15Nicky Clark is about to come on.
40:16Was their top scorer last season.
40:18But only with a meagre, miserly seven goals.
40:23One of those was against Aberdeen.
40:25A penalty at Pettodrie.
40:27McGrath put this through.
40:29It's Ambrose.
40:31And he's smacked it into the side netting.
40:34But the flag went up in the end anyway.
40:40Well.
40:42Another late flag.
40:44I mean, why does...
40:46It's fairly obvious, that one.
40:49Takes a heavy touch and Ray gets out.
40:51Narrows the angle, actually.
40:54Ambrose goes wide with the vent.
40:57Opportunities Aberdeen to go further ahead.
41:00Benji Kimpioka and Cammy McPherson have come off.
41:05Mackenzie Kirk, who joined from Hart.
41:07His dad, Andy, is assistant manager here.
41:10And Nicky Clark have come on.
41:16Nicky Clark's dad, Sandy, a former St Johnston manager.
41:19And a former teammate of Craig Levine at Hart.
41:27That won't be a free kick.
41:28McGrath on right.
41:38It's not a free kick.
41:44Looks like St Johnston will be going ten home games without a
41:48win in the premiership, which last happened in 2001.
41:59Carey, though, hoping to offer late hope.
42:02Cameron.
42:05Nicky Devlin slides in.
42:07It is a corner.
42:09That's good defending.
42:10That's his job, Nicky Devlin.
42:11Stop the cross.
42:16The goal for Aberdeen, the opener.
42:19Defended strongly.
42:22The goal here might make it interesting with plenty of
42:24stoppage time likely.
42:26Graham Carey.
42:29Sadivi.
42:32Touching that away.
42:41Nicky Clark for McKenzie Kirk.
42:43The two sets.
42:45And it's in off Gavin Malloy.
42:47An own goal.
42:49Does give St Johnston a bit of hope in the clothing stages.
42:53They're back in the game.
42:55And they still have time.
42:58It's all about the quality of the pass from Clark.
43:04There we go.
43:05That early pass.
43:06Good awareness.
43:08And Kirk fires the ball across Malloy.
43:10Can't get his feet sorted.
43:14And it flies into the back of the net.
43:16No chance of meet-off.
43:19And all of a sudden, St Johnston, their tails are up.
43:24St Johnston do have a goal.
43:26Even though Aberdeen scored it for them.
43:29And with the last chunk of stoppage time ahead.
43:33They have some belief now.
43:39We think there is going to be nine extra minutes added on here
43:45at McDermott Park.
43:47And that will suit St Johnston.
43:50Kerry.
43:52Away by Rubicic.
43:54The subs, Nicky Clark and McKenzie Kirk linked up to considerable
44:00effect in the build-up to that goal.
44:02Here is Mioski.
44:10Devlin.
44:12Shinny.
44:15Sidibe.
44:17Clark.
44:29Just brings a bit of experience, doesn't he, Nicky Clark?
44:34They need a little bit of composure.
44:36We know he can finish.
44:38His link-up play has been pretty good over the years as well.
44:45Kyle Cameron has.
44:47Andre Raymond ready to receive.
44:54And he's got it.
44:56And he's got it.
44:58And he's got it.
45:00And he's got it.
45:04And it's just.
45:06A very big Sidibe.
45:12It's not the worst ball in from Raymond.
45:15Early ball.
45:17Slightly over-weighted.
45:19Aberdeen are going to have to work for this.
45:31The Aberdeen fans won't be liking the look of this.
45:34But nine extra minutes.
45:36It's confirmed.
45:40To a mixed reception.
45:52Swept on by Gay.
46:01Celtic top of the league already.
46:03St. Marien the only other winners.
46:07Three draws.
46:09Across the long opening weekend.
46:14St. Johnson.
46:16Would like to make that four.
46:21A little ultra-section of the ground.
46:23They've kept going, haven't they?
46:25Most of them should be home in bed.
46:31It's broken here for Miloski.
46:33And it took a deflection.
46:35It will be a corner.
46:45That's the ball run across his body.
46:47So aware Miloski.
46:49What's in and around him.
46:51That's a good ball from Cameron.
47:01Hayden.
47:06Good save.
47:13A three.
47:15Just to make sure it matters.
47:21Have stayed back, but Rubic is in there.
47:25Gay.
47:30you
48:00you