St J’stone 1 – 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen won their first Premiership match under Jimmy Thelin, ruining Geoff Brown’s farewell to St Johnstone.

The Dons’ new manager followed up his unbeaten League Cup group stage campaign with a convincing display at McDiarmid Park on a night when the hosts paid tribute to their former owner.

My first meeting with Nicky Devlin he headed home the trailblazer with Jamie McGrath doubling their lead after half-time with a flawless finish.

St Johnstone, who lost Sam McClelland to injury, were given hope by by Gavin Molloy own goal but they failed to equalise despite sustained pressure in the final minutes.

Thelin is the first Aberdeen manager to win his first five games in charge, while Craig Levein’s new signings have failed to make an impact.

Dons impress at sell-out McDiarmid

It was a huge night for St Johnstone, with over 9,000 fans in attendance to see former chairman Brown take part in the pre-match ceremony to celebrate the naming of the main stand at McDiarmid Park in his honour.

New majority shareholder Adam Webb served as chairman while Brown was thanked after 38 years as owner.

The Saints struggled for Premiership survival in the three seasons since Brown’s tutelage peaked with a cup double and did not do enough to get Webb’s Championship tenure off to a positive start.

Craig Levein’s side also suffered a serious injury blow, with Sam McClelland being carried off on a stretcher early in the second half with what appeared to be an Achilles tendon problem.

The home team started well and Lewis Neilson threatened twice early on in his debut.

But Aberdeen quickly established themselves as an attacking force. Ester Sokler had a goal ruled out for offside and was denied by Josh Rae in a one-on-one. The goalkeeper also saved well from Sivert Nilsen’s header.

Miovski hit the crossbar from 30 metres before Devlin gave Aberdeen the lead midway through the half with a header from McGrath’s corner.

Rae saves from Miovski as Aberdeen continues to push.

The Saints were largely limited to long-range attempts, which failed to trouble Dimitar Mitov on his early return to his old home.

The visitors extended their lead in the 62nd minute when McGrath pounced on Nilsen’s through ball and headed into the corner of the net.

St Johnstone pressed for an escape route and Mitov made a flying save to deny Matt Smith’s curling shot from 22 yards.

Adama Sidibeh missed a good chance to give the home fans hope when he volleyed towards the corner flag.

Kirk’s 86th-minute arrival proved the catalyst for a grandstand-worthy finale. A direct run and a placed cross led to Molloy putting his own goal in two minutes later and Mitov had to get deep to stop the former Hearts man’s low shot under some added-time pressure.

Thelin: We will evolve

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin on Vscek:

“I’m really, really happy for the players, the staff and the fans, because it’s been such a great support on the road.

“It was nice to celebrate with them after the match.

“Everyone helped each other and there was a good team spirit. I’m happy that every player defended when it was necessary and if we had been sharper in the transition we could have had a few more chances.

“I think in every game you will see [us get] sharper. You can always evolve things during the season, but it’s the first game of the championship and I’m happy to have won three points in the championship.”

Levein: My players will do the right thing

St. John in stone boss Craig Levine on Vscek:

“This is the worst way to lose. Playing well and losing.

“I was happy. We started the game well, Aberdeen took over a bit, then we changed shape and took control again and I thought we were a bit unlucky not to take at least a point from the game.

“[The second goal] It made us lose our concentration a little bit, but then we got back on track and I think we finished the game in a really positive way, and there were some great performances.

“It’s frustrating. We have to defend better, but sometimes I have to make concessions because the defense is quite new.

“From what I’ve seen tonight, they’ll have this resolved within the next four or five weeks.”

What will happen in the Scottish Premiership?