St Johnstone vs Aberdeen. Scottish Premiership.
McDiarmid ParkAttendance7,733.
St Johnstone 0-0 Aberdeen: Scrappy Scottish Premiership affair at McDiarmid Park ends goalless
Report as St Johnstone and Aberdeen both earn a point after goalless draw at McDiarmid Park
Saturday 15 March 2025 20:24, UK
St Johnstone made minimal progress in their bid to avoid relegation as they fought out a goalless draw against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.
Simo Valakari's side booked a Scottish Cup semi-final place against Celtic with a 1-0 win over Livingston on Monday night and looked to take confidence into their Premiership clash with the fourth-placed Dons.
However, on a frantic, scrappy afternoon, both sides failed to take advantage of the few chances they could muster and had to settle for a point apiece which left the home side still bottom of the table, two points behind Dundee, who play Dundee United on Sunday.
Jimmy Thelin's Dons are only two points ahead of the Tannadice men as club football makes way for the international break.
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The start to the game offered promise which was not delivered.
In the 10th minute the home side carved open the first real chance when midfielder Jason Holt played in Makenzie Kirk after Pittodrie skipper Graeme Shinnie had conceded possession close to his own box.
However, the striker's drive from 14 yards was brilliantly saved by Dons goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov for a corner that he confidently plucked out of the air.
It was the last real save of note from either 'keeper.
The Granite City men stepped up the pace in search of a leveller but Saints 'keeper Andy Fisher was well protected by his defence which remained resolute all afternoon.
The game became increasingly scrappy as the first half continued before referee Chris Graham brought it to a halt for half-time which gave both managers time to reset - and Aberdeen looked to have done exactly that.
Within four minutes of the restart, striker Oday Dabbagh came close with a header from an Alexander Jensen cross.
Dons attacker Shayden Morris then collected a Topi Keskinen pass inside the box but took too long and was blocked by Saints' Barry Douglas but again the corner came to nothing.
But then it reverted to type.
At the other end, St Johnstone substitute Victor Griffith headed past the far post from 10 yards after Stephen Duke-McKenna had curled in an inviting delivery.
Pittodrie defender Mats Knoester then took a turn of heading past the post from close range as the game continued to cry out for real quality, which never arrived.
What the managers said...
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari: "It was a fair result. There wasn't much between two closely-matched teams.
"It was a positive that we showed we can play these games as well. It was a midfield battle, second balls. But it was a huge effort from my boys.
"We defended very solidly. It was a very strong team performance, defensively. We were much more solid than on Monday night.
"We didn't create enough to win the match but we made sure we didn't lose it and we'll take this one point."
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin: "I think both teams defended well. It was two teams fighting for three points, a quite close game.
"We tried but today we didn't have the quality to break through or create that big chance but it's also because they defended well.
"So we tried but it was not enough to deserve three points. I think the result was fair.
"You have to deserve to win games and St Johnstone did very well today in how they defended. Hopefully it is going to be a good point at the end of the season."
