On this week's episode, which player impressed most in Aberdeen’s stunning showing to all-but-end their Euro tie with BK Hacken? Will Stephen Glass make changes for Thursday’s away leg ahead of the Premiership opener against Dundee United, after struggles against the Tangerines defined a disappointing 2020/21 campaign? Plus, all the build-up to Ross County, Inverness, Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City's league campaigns getting under way. For 20% off the beautiful book ‘The Red Army’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Northern Goal

Stephen Glass' Aberdeen get set for Premiership start after rip-roaring opener to 2021/22 campaign

This week on Northern Goal, BK Hacken journalist Linus Petersson tells us why the Swedes view themselves as favourites for their Europa Conference League tie with Aberdeen – including detailing the strengths of Hacken's international-packed squad. We also ask, have Ross County’s Covid issues condemned them to a tough Premiership season? Plus, the latest from the Premier Sports Cup, and who are our panel tipping for Highland League success this term ahead of Saturday’s kick-off?   For 20% off the beautiful book "The Red Army", go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Goteborgs-Posten’s BK Hacken writer Linus Petersson on Aberdeen’s European rivals

On this week's Northern Goal, who will be Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass' skipper when the campaign begins against BK Hacken, are the Swedes being underestimated and does the Inverness friendly draw at Cormack Park mean anything? Plus, reflections on the Dons youngsters' Aberdeenshire Cup loss to Buckie Thistle and analysis on our teams' Premier Sports Cup openers.   For 20% off the beautiful book "The Red Army", go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARMY20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Who will be Aberdeen's captain for the new season?

On this week's Northern Goal podcast, we chat to Aberdeen Women's captain Kelly Forrest after the Dons lifted the SWPL2 trophy to get back to the top-flight. What does Kelly think they can achieve next season in SWPL1. Plus, Christian Ramirez impresses in first Aberdeen interview, but what do the Reds still need squad-wise? Malky Mackay's Ross County took to the field for the first time at the weekend, beating Elgin City in a friendly. The Staggies may now be dealing with a Covid outbreak, but with signings now flowing, how are they shaping up?   For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Kelly Forrest on what Aberdeen Women can achieve in SWPL1. Plus, first impressions of Christian Ramirez and Malky Mackay's Ross County

The gang discuss the Covid-19 situation at Caley Thistle on this week’s pod, which led to the postponement of their friendly with Brora Rangers. There is also Aberdeen Women winning the SWPL2 league title in impressive fashion, and new faces at Aberdeen, with Christian Ramirez sealing his move from Houston Dynamo to Pittodrie. There is also the recruitment latest at our north clubs, including Ross County, Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City.  For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Covid concern at Caley Thistle, reasons to be cheerful for Aberdeen, and Ross County’s recruitment drive

On this week’s episode of Northern Goal, we discuss our teams’ return for pre-season training. Why are Aberdeen doing all of their work at Cormack Park, and how worried should they be about Europa Conference League opponents BK Hacken? It’s gone quiet at Ross County, but Caley Thistle have been busy, including snapping up former Staggies Michael Gardyne and Billy Mckay. Meanwhile, Cove Rangers have possibly pulled off the coup of the summer in landing another ex-County pair in Iain Vigurs and Ross Draper, with Dundee pair Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan also heading back to Peterhead.   For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Pre-season plans, and how worried should Aberdeen be about Conference League rivals BK Hacken?

This week on Northern Goal, we react to the SPFL fixtures for 2021/22. Aberdeen will be delighted with the hand they’ve been dealt, but will Brighton's Teddy Jenks be the new James Maddison when the campaign begins against Dundee United. Ross County need to ramp up their preparations for a challenging start, while we also discuss Inverness, Peterhead, Cove and Elgin's fixtures. All that, plus the panel's emotions after covering Scotland's 2-0 Euros loss to the Czech Republic. For 15% off our beautiful football and rugby nostalgia titles, perfect for the sport-loving dad or grandad in your life on Father’s Day, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code GIFT15 at checkout. Eligible titles are: The Red Army , Dark Blue Blood, Jim McLean: Dundee United Legend, Lifted Over The Turnstiles, Team Game, and We Had A Dream. Offer ends 16 June 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions.

Can Teddy Jenks be Aberdeen's new James Maddison, plus the SPFL fixtures revealed and Scotland v Czech Republic emotions

In this episode, the most sought-after man in British football, Craig Brown - who led Scotland to both Euro '96 and the France '98 World Cup - discusses the Dark Blues' prospects at the European Championship. Brown reveals he's backing Steve Clarke's men to go deep into the tournament, with talent, top-level experience and age on their side. The former Aberdeen boss also explains how you prepare Scotland to meet 'Auld Enemy' England at Wembley, as well as offering his view on nullifying the Czech Republic and Croatia. All that, plus some of Brown's legendary Scotland stories from a life in the game. 

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown backing Steve Clarke's team for Euros quarter-finals run

In this episode of Northern Goal, we chat to Martin Rennie, who was born in Thurso, but has built a successful coaching career on the other side of the world. Martin talks us through his journey from playing junior football in Scotland to bossing Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer, as well as a spell in K League 2 with Seoul E-Land. Currently the boss of Indy Eleven in the United  Soccer League, Martin also speaks about new signing and Aberdonian Cammy Smith, his time working with Aberdeen management duo Stephen Glass and Allan Russell at Carolina RailHawks and why he doesn't see the benefits in the Dons' strategic partnership with Atlanta United. 

Highland man Martin Rennie on his coaching career in the United States and South Korea

On this week’s Northern Goal, Andy Skinner – fresh back from Billy Dodds’ first press briefing as Inverness manager – talks us through the new boss’ priorities. We also reflect on what has been an acrimonious week for Ross County, with Malky Mackay appointed and several players, including captain Iain Vigurs and appearance/goal record-holder Michael Gardyne, unhappy with how they were released by the Staggies. Plus, there’s Niall McGinn’s new deal at Aberdeen – what are the chances of US international Christian Ramirez joining him at Pittodrie? For 15% off our beautiful football and rugby nostalgia titles, perfect for the sport-loving dad or grandad in your life on Father’s Day, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/and use the code GIFT15 at checkout. Eligible titles are: The Red Army , Dark Blue Blood, Jim McLean: Dundee United Legend, Lifted Over The Turnstiles, Team Game, and We Had A Dream. Offer ends 16 June 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Billy Dodds lands Inverness job, Ross County’s week of controversy and Christian Ramirez for Aberdeen?

We chat to lower-league goalscoring legend Rory McAllister on his near-decade with Peterhead, including winning the League Two title, silencing the Rangers fans at Balmoor and scoring five against Falkirk, despite a three-day hangover. The former Aberdeen youth academy prospect, who also spent time at Inverness, tells us why he has no regrets after turning down a host of full-time suitors over the years, as well as reflecting on current team Cove Rangers suffering end-of-season heartache as they missed out on promotion to the Championship.

Rory McAllister - icon of Scottish part-time football - on his career

In this episode, Ryan Cryle, Andy Skinner and Paul Third discuss Yogi’s Dingwall departure. Does the manager’s surprise exit suggest a move to Tannadice and how have the Staggies supporters reacted? Where does Roy MacGregor look next in his bid to get County up the Premiership and away from relegation battles – within the existing Global Energy Stadium staff to Don Cowie, or externally to the likes of Celtic interim boss John Kennedy or ex-Motherwell gaffer Stephen Robinson?

Reaction special: John Hughes leaves Ross County – who’s next?

This week on Northern Goal, after Aberdeen's season-ending loss, questions need to be answered for next season - is Joe Lewis still the Dons' nailed-on number one? Will revamping the defence allow the Reds to play out from the back as Stephen Glass wants? Are strikers JET and Bruce Anderson both going to be at Pittodrie? Plus, which players - stalwarts and recent additions - should Ross County look to keep after securing Premiership safety with a win at Motherwell. Across the Kessock Bridge, is Billy Dodds a stick-on for the Inverness Caley Thistle job?

Questions upon questions at Aberdeen, who should be at Ross County next season and is Billy Dodds Inverness' man?

In this bonus episode of Northern Goal, we recap after Ross County took a major step to Premiership safety by beating Hamilton. Aberdeen have missed out on third after their defeat to Hibs, with the result further underlining their need for a squad overhaul. Plus, we reflect on Cove and Elgin's seasons after both of their play-off journeys ended.

Staggies' big step towards safety, as Aberdeen's loss to Hibs ends third fight and reminds Stephen Glass of task ahead

In this week’s episode, how will Aberdeen fans be feeling about new boss Stephen Glass’ early moves to rebuild his squad, with Declan Gallagher and Gary Woods secured on pre-contracts. Will Mikey Devlin pen a new deal, and what about moves for Clark Robertson and Jamie McGrath? Meanwhile, what do the third-place-chasing Reds and relegation-battling Ross County have to do to beat Hibs and Hamilton and take a big step towards their respective Premiership goals. All that, plus the play-offs latest and Peterhead contract renewals, too.

Stephen Glass gets going with Aberdeen rebuild, as Dons and Ross County gear up for Premiership’s final throes

The football podcast that’s passionate about Aberdeen, Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Peterhead, Elgin City, Cove Rangers and the Highland League – from The Press & Journal and Evening Express sports desks

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Northern Goal

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