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Aberdeen players in ‘shock’ at interim boss’ Peter Leven’s hospitalisation on eve of 1-0 win against St Johnstone

A stand-in management team secured a 1-0 victory against the Perth Saints with interim boss Peter Leven unavailable after undergoing an emergency procedure.

Striker Bojan Miovski celebrates after scoring a penalty to put Aberdeen 1-0 up against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image; Shutterstock
Striker Bojan Miovski celebrates after scoring a penalty to put Aberdeen 1-0 up against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image: Shutterstock.

Stand-in boss Scott Anderson revealed the Aberdeen squad were in shock when informed interim manager Peter Leven had been admitted to hospital for an emergency procedure.

The 40-year-old missed the 1-0 win against St Johnstone at Pittodrie having undergone the operation on the eve of the Premiership clash.

The procedure was a success and Anderson says Leven is set to return to take the Dons’ training early next week in preparation for the trip to Hibs.

U18 coach Anderson took charge against Saints with goalkeeper coach Craig Samson, winger Jonny Hayes and youth coach Stuart Duff assisting.

Aberdeen made it six Premiership games undefeated with a second half penalty converted by leading scorer Bojan Miovksi.

Anderson says the Dons squad were driven to give Leven something to smile about.

Aberdeen's Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring, making it 1-0 against St Johnstone. Image: SNS
Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring, making it 1-0 against St Johnstone. Image: SNS

He said: “Obviously Peter’s health comes first so when he knew he had to go in last night it was a bit of a shock.

“He is fine and on the mend.

“We are hopeful to have Peter back in the early part of next week.

“He will be back on the training pitch with the boys.

“The players all hold Peter in high regard and part of their efforts was definitely to ensure we got the three points to give Peter something to smile about.

“We managed to do that and onwards to the next game.”

St Johnstone's Nicky Clark and Aberdeen's Angus MacDonald in action. Image: SNS
St Johnstone’s Nicky Clark and Aberdeen’s Angus MacDonald in action. Image: SNS

Relegation play-off threat eradicated

Leven had taken the Dons in training all week in preparation for the St Johnstone game but was admitted to hospital on Friday night.

Anderson is the fourth different manager to lead the Dons this season with Leven, Neil Warnock and Barry Robson also in charge.

New manager Jimmy Thelin, who will start at Pittodrie on June 3 after leaving Elfsborg, was also keeping close tabs on this match from Sweden.

Aberdeen eradicated any chance of being dragged into a relegation play-off battle.

The Dons are 10 points clear of St Johnstone, who drop into the relegation play-off spot, with only three games remaining.

Aberdeen Coach Scott Anderson during the Premiership match against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image: Shutterstock
Aberdeen Coach Scott Anderson during the Premiership match against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image:Shutterstock

Anderson said: “We are just pleased we can get it over the line with the three points.

“I’m pleased with the second half in particular in terms of chances created.

“As we have done in the previous few fixtures we managed to keep the back door shut and keep a clean sheet.

“The message at half-time was to be a bit more patient with the ball and I thought we did that in the second half.

“We controlled the game because of that.

“Opportunities were coming and we could have taken one or two others.

“We got our nose in front and apart from one chance we were quite comfortable in the end.”

Aberdeen's Connor Barron and St Johnstone's Daniel Philips and Connor Smith in action. Image: SNS
Aberdeen’s Connor Barron and St Johnstone’s Daniel Philips and Connor Smith in action. Image: SNS

Captain Shinnie on the bench

There was a major call with captain Graeme Shinnie failing to make the starting XI on his return from suspension.

Influential midfielder Shinnie had missed the 1-0 win against Motherwell and Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Celtic due to suspension.

The Dons starting line-up remained unchanged with Shinnie named as a substitute.

Centre-back Angus MacDonald retained the captain’s armband.

Prior to kick-off a Tifo tribute was unveiled in the Richard Donald stand in tribute to well known supporter Duncan ‘Punk’ Clark who sadly passed away recently.

Tifo raised in tribute to Duncan 'Punk' Clark in the Richard Donald stand before the Premiership clash with St Johnstone. Image: SNS
Tifo raised in tribute to Duncan ‘Punk’ Clark in the Richard Donald stand before the Premiership clash with St Johnstone. Image: SNS

Hoilett free-kick smashes off the bar

St Johnstone created the opening opportunity in the seventh minute when Andy Considine’s low shot was blocked by Kelle Roos.

In the 23rd minute Stefan Gartenmann met a Junior Hoilett corner but headed over from six yards to spurn a clear opportunity.

Moments later Benjamin Kimpioka slalomed his way into the box and stepped beyond MacDonald to open up space to shoot.

His effort beat keeper Roos but Gartenmann headed off the line.

Aberdeen's Leighton Clarkson and St Johnstone's Matthew Smith in action at Pittodrie. Image: SNS
Aberdeen’s Leighton Clarkson and St Johnstone’s Matthew Smith in action at Pittodrie. Image: SNS

In first-half stoppage time Hoilett won possession in midfield and drove at goal only to be brought down by Considine, who was booked, 22 yards out.

Hoilett took the resultant free kick and his effort beat Dimitar Mitov only to smash off the bar.

The loose ball fell to Dante Polvara who instinctively shot from 10 yards but Mitov recovered to save.

St Johnstone's Matthew Smith and Aberdeen's Dante Polvara battle for possession in the Premiership clash at Pittodrie. Image: SNS
St Johnstone’s Matthew Smith and Aberdeen’s Dante Polvara battle for possession in the Premiership clash at Pittodrie. Image: SNS

Miovski nets winner from the spot

Aberdeen were denied the opener by a goal-line clearance in the 55th minute.

Hoilett’s corner from the right picked out MacDonald unmarked and the defender’s guided header beat Mitov.

However Nicky Clark blocked on the line with the effort coming off his midriff.

Aberdeen went ahead from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.

Nicky Devlin burst into the box beyond Connor Smith but was brought down by former Dons defender Considine.

Referee Chris Graham awarded a penalty but then there was a lengthy VAR review.

The penalty stood and Miovski calmly converted low to the keeper’s left.

 Bojan Miovski of Aberdeen scores a penalty kick against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image: Shutterstock
Bojan Miovski of Aberdeen scores a penalty kick against St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Image: Shutterstock

ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Roos 6; Devlin 7, MacDonald 6, Gartenmann 6, MacKenzie 6; Polvara 7 (Duk 79), Barron 6 (Shinnie 74), McGrath 6, Clarkson 6 (Phillips 90), Hoilett 8, Miovski 6.

Subs not used: Doohan, Jensen, Sokler, Duncan, Milne, Rubezic

ST JOHNSTONE (3-5-2): Mitov 6; McGowan 6, Gordon 6, Considine 6; Wright 5 (MacPherson 63), M. Smith 6, Phillips 6, C. Smith 6 (May 75), Carey 6; Kimpioka 7 (Sidibeh 75), Clark 6.

Subs not used: Richards, Kucheriavyi, Olufunwa, Crawford, Keltjens, Franczak

Referee: Chris Graham

Man-of-the-match: Junior Hoilett (Aberdeen)

Attendance: 15,537

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