Spectacular Aberdeen put Raith Rovers to the sword to as they booked their place within the final 16 of the Premier Sports activities Cup.
Jim Goodwin loved the proper heat up for the Scottish Premiership kick-off with Bojan Miovski 's penalty alongside objectives from Ross McCrorie and Jonny Hayes making certain a an unblemished group marketing campaign in addition to a seeded spot within the subsequent spherical. Ian Murray's Championship outfit seemed to be the hardest take a look at of the group stage with Aberdeen going through League One and Two opposition up thus far, however the Dons closed out the beginning of the marketing campaign in model.
It is the early momentum the Pittodrie boss would have been determined to see from his aspect with Celtic ready for the opening day of the season after the Dons' lacklustre marketing campaign final time period. Ange Postecoglou's champions will not need to let Aberdeen dampen flag day in Glasgow's east finish and can present the hardest attainable take a look at for Goodwin's revamped squad.
Debutant Miovski was handed Christian Ramirez's quantity 9 jersey in addition to his place within the beginning line-up, and made a right away affect on the sport because the was chopped down by Sam Stanton within the six-yard field. The North Macedonian worldwide collected a unfastened ball to burst by on purpose earlier than being fouled, and referee David Munro pointed to the spot.
The 23-year-old cooly stepped as much as the spot, and smashed the penalty into the highest nook past the attain of Robbie Thomson after simply six minutes. Raith nearly discovered a approach again into the sport however Jamie Gullan blew an excellent alternative from shut vary. Slack defending from the Dons allowed Liam Dick to whip a low cross to the striker, nonetheless his tame effort curled huge of Kelle Roos' put up.
Dick was once more inflicting issues down the left flank for the hosts as he discovered area once more on the touchline to fizz a harmful ball throughout the Aberdeen six-yard field. Anthony Stewart and Liam Scales may solely watch the ball transcend them, however Gullan didn't get the decisive contact.
Hayes nearly looped one into the online after a darting run from Matty Kennedy allowed the full-back to hit the byline and ping a harmful ball into the right-hand put up. The previous Celtic man cushioned the ball over the pinnacle of Thomson, however Christoph Berra was again on the road to clear the hazard.
The house followers did not have to attend lengthy for a second as McCrorie unleashed a thunderbolt from the sting of the field. The ball pinged in off the highest of Thomson's bar with the stranded stopper solely capable of watch because the ball nestled within the internet.
Aberdeen did not waste any time within the second half as Hayes latched on to a defence splitting go inside seconds of the restart. Miovski left the ball for the lung-bursting run of the Eire cap earlier than he calmly fired into the underside nook.
It may have been 4 moments later. Miovski was once more on the coronary heart of the motion as he performed a neat one-two with Vicente Besuijen on the sting of the field, earlier than the Dutchman was denied by a diving Thomson save.
Substitute Ramirez had an ideal probability to remind his boss what he's able to late within the sport as Luis Lopes whipped a harmful ball into the six-yard field. Nonetheless, the backtracking American smashed the ball nicely over the bar from shut vary.
Raith rage after McCrorie stunner
The league marketing campaign hasn't even began, however McCrorie will hope that the Aberdeen followers keep in mind his marvel strike when purpose of the season voting comes round. The midfielder was the standout performer for the house aspect and capped off the efficiency with a 30-yard marvel strike.
Nonetheless, Raith captain Christoph Berra was straight over to the linesman to protest after the ball discovered the online. An aerial twin between Dario Zanatta and Jayden Richardson seconds earlier than the purpose led to claims that David Munro ought to have awarded a free-kick to the guests. It will have been a harsh name from Munro, and McCrorie will likely be delighted it stood so he can add the strike to his private spotlight reel.
The numbers do not lie
Jim Goodwin confirmed his religion in new recruit Miovski earlier than a ball was even kicked as he handed him the quantity 9 jersey to the frontman and a begin at Pittodrie. The North Macedonia cap repaid that religion with a purpose on his debut and brought on loads of issues for the Championship aspect, however what does all of it imply for Christian Ramirez?
The American has been handed the squad variety of 99 going into the massive kick-off subsequent week. It does not seem that his three objectives within the group stage have received over Goodwin thus far. After being allowed to return to the States earlier than the top of final season with many anticipated the US cap to finish a switch again to his homeland. Might a deal nonetheless be the playing cards with Miovski showing to be the bosses first selection this time period?
The Reds are prepared
Jim Goodwin may have been determined for the league season to start out having had the prospect to reshape the squad. Whereas dropping Lewis Ferguson and Calvin Ramsay will likely be a blow, the likes of Declan Gallagher and Dylan McGeouch have been moved on after disappointing spells within the Granite Metropolis.
It has been an ideal begin to the brand new season with reminiscences of final season's catastrophe starting to fade. It is now 5 wins from 5 with out conceding a purpose, with 15 objectives netted thus far. The actual measuring stick will come at Celtic Park subsequent Sunday, however followers will likely be hopeful of taking a optimistic end result again to Pittodrie and spoiling the champions' flag day celebrations.
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