# 2009–10 Aberdeen F.C. season

The 2009–10 season was Aberdeen's 97th season in the top flight of Scottish football. Aberdeen competed in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and UEFA Europa League during the 2009–10 season.

## Season overview

Aberdeen started the new season under new management. On the last day of the 2008–09 it was announced that Jimmy Calderwood and his management team would leave after five years at the club. Aberdeen negotiated with fellow SPL club Motherwell for the release of their manager, Mark McGhee. McGhee had a successful spell at the club as a player, when the Dons' won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983. Along with his assistant Scott Leitch the pair would form Aberdeen's new management team. In the summer, Aberdeen lost their captain, Scott Severin, who left to pursue a career in England with Championship club Watford. The club also parted ways with four other players; defender Lee Mair joined fellow SPL club St Mirren. Jamie Smith joined MLS side Colorado Rapids, goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu had his contract terminated by the club and he was signed up with English club Crewe Alexandra. The club also parted ways with Faroese youngster Rogvi Holm. With the squad depleting, McGhee sought out to buy new players. McGhee tried to sign Benin international Réda Johnson, but the defender choose to move to English outfit Plymouth Argyle. McGhee did make his first signing, goalkeeper Stuart Nelson from Norwich City. Jerel Ifil, Davide Grassi and Maurice Ross joined from Swindon Town, Espanyol and Kocaelispor respectively. Aberdeen became one of the first clubs to participate in the newly re-branded Europa League. Aberdeen were drawn against Czech opposition in Sigma Olomouc. It soon proved to be a tie to forget, as the Dons were humbled 5–1 at home, and 3–0 away, which resulted in an 8–1 aggregate score. Aberdeen were also knocked out early in the League Cup as well. After falling 2–0 down, goals from Michael Paton ensure that the cup tie against Dundee would go into extra time. Aberdeen lost the game 3–2. Aberdeen started their League campaign with a 3–1 defeat to Celtic, but with wins against Hamilton, St Mirren, St Johnstone and a notable one against rivals Rangers have got Aberdeen's season back on track.

## Transfers
### Transfers

In Permanent
| Player | From | Fee | Contract length |
| Stuart Nelson | Norwich City | Free | One year |
| Jerel Ifil | Swindon Town | Free | Two year |
| Davide Grassi | Espanyol | Undisclosed | One year |
| Maurice Ross | Kocaelispor | Free | One year |
Loans in
| Player | From | Loan Length |
| Paul Marshall | Manchester City | End of Season |
| Steve MacLean | Plymouth Argyle | End of Season |
| Jim Paterson | Plymouth Argyle | End of Season |
Loans out
| Player | To | Loan Length |
| John Bateman | Peterhead | One year |
| Stuart Duff | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | One month |
| Chris Maguire | Kilmarnock | End of season |
Out Permanent
| Player | To | Fee | Note |
| Lee Mair | St Mirren | Free | End of contract |
| Scott Severin | Watford | Free | End of contract |
| Jamie Smith | Colorado Rapids | Free | End of Contract |
| Bertrand Bossu | Crewe Alexandra | Free | End of Contract |
| Rogvi Holm | | Free | Released |
| Sammy Stewart | | Free | Released |
| Maurice Ross | Beijing Guoan | Free | End of contract |
| Tommy Wright | Grimsby Town | Free | Released |
| Lee Miller | Middlesbrough | £500,000 | – |

## Statistics
### Current squad

Updated 22 April 2010
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | SCO | Jamie Langfield |
| 2 | DF | SCO | Charlie Mulgrew |
| 3 | DF | SCO | Ricky Foster |
| 4 | MF | SCO | Gary McDonald |
| 5 | DF | SCO | Zander Diamond (vice-captain) |
| 6 | DF | SCO | Andrew Considine |
| 8 | MF | SCO | Mark Kerr (captain) |
| 9 | FW | SCO | Steve MacLean (on loan from Plymouth Argyle) |
| 10 | FW | SCO | Darren Mackie |
| 11 | MF | NGA | Sone Aluko |
| 14 | MF | SCO | Derek Young |
| 15 | DF | SCO | Jim Paterson (on loan from Plymouth Argyle) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 16 | MF | SCO | Stuart Duff |
| 18 | DF | ITA | Davide Grassi |
| 19 | MF | SCO | Peter Pawlett |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Paul Marshall (on loan from Manchester City) |
| 21 | GK | ENG | Stuart Nelson |
| 22 | DF | ENG | Jerel Ifil |
| 24 | FW | SCO | Michael Paton |
| 25 | DF | SCO | Jonathan Crawford |
| 27 | DF | SCO | Stirling Smith |
| 30 | GK | SCO | Jon Bateman |
| 32 | DF | SCO | Scott Ross |
| 34 | MF | SCO | Fraser Fyvie |

### Player statistics

Appearances for competitive matches only
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Premier League | Premier League | Scottish Cup | Scottish Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Europe | Europe |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | SCO | Jamie Langfield | 40 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | SCO | Charlie Mulgrew | 41 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | DF | SCO | Ricky Foster | 41 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | SCO | Gary McDonald | 28 | 4 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | SCO | Zander Diamond | 18 | 3 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | SCO | Andrew Considine | 19 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | SCO | Chris Maguire | 21 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | DF | SCO | Jim Paterson | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | SCO | Mark Kerr | 42 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | SCO | Lee Miller | 22 | 4 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | SCO | Steven MacLean | 17 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | SCO | Darren Mackie | 37 | 5 | 31 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | NGA | Sone Aluko | 26 | 3 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | SCO | Derek Young | 24 | 3 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | ENG | Tommy Wright | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | SCO | Stuart Duff | 18 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | SCO | Maurice Ross | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | ITA | Davide Grassi | 23 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | SCO | Peter Pawlett | 17 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Paul Marshall | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | GK | ENG | Stuart Nelson | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | ENG | Jerel Ifil | 30 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | SCO | Michael Paton | 38 | 5 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | SCO | Jonathan Crawford | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | FW | SCO | Mitchel Megginson | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | SCO | Fraser Fyvie | 26 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | MF | SCO | Nicky Low | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | DF | SCO | Clark Robertson | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 45 | FW | SCO | Dominico Gibson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | MF | SCO | Jack Grimmer | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
As of game played 1 May 2010

### Most appearances

Source: above appearances and goals table

### Awards
#### Clydesdale Bank Awards

| Month | Recipient | Award | Report |
| November | Peter Pawlett | Young Player of the Month | |
| January | Fraser Fyvie | Young Player of the Month | AFC |

## Results and fixtures
### Pre-season friendlies

| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Aberdeen Scorer(s) | Attendance | Report |
| 18 July 2009 | 1860 Munich | A | 0–1 | | 1,000 | AFC |
| 22 July 2009 | Peterhead | A | 3–2 | Miller (30 pen.), Aluko (53), Paton (63) | 1,954 | AFC |
| 25 July 2009 | Dundee | A | 1–1 | Aluko (1) | 3,613 | AFC |
| 9 August 2009 | Hull City | A | 1–0 | Gardner (o.g.) | 8,272 | AFC |

### Scottish Premier League

| Match Day | Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Aberdeen Scorer(s) | League Position | Attendance | Report |
| 1 | 15 August 2009 | Celtic | H | 1–3 | Aluko (61) | 9 | 16,803 | BBC Sport |
| 2 | 22 August 2009 | Hamilton Academical | A | 3–0 | Mulgrew (23), Considine (29), Maguire (63) | 6 | 3,347 | BBC Sport |
| 3 | 29 August 2009 | Motherwell | H | 0–0 | | 6 | 11,320 | BBC Sport |
| 4 | 14 September 2009 | Falkirk | A | 0–0 | | 6 | 4,724 | BBC Sport |
| 5 | 19 September 2009 | St Mirren | H | 1–0 | Mulgrew (88) | 5 | 10,103 | BBC Sport |
| 6 | 26 September 2009 | Rangers | A | 0–0 | | 5 | 47,968 | BBC Sport |
| 7 | 3 October 2009 | Kilmarnock | A | 1–1 | McDonald (84) | 6 | 4,997 | BBC Sport |
| 8 | 17 October 2009 | Heart of Midlothian | H | 1–1 | Miller (42) | 6 | 11,629 | BBC Sport |
| 9 | 24 October 2009 | Dundee United | H | 0–2 | | 7 | 11,766 | BBC Sport |
| 10 | 31 October 2009 | Hibernian | A | 0–2 | | 7 | 13,885 | BBC Sport |
| 11 | 7 November 2009 | St Johnstone | H | 2–1 | Aluko (15), Miller (83) (pen.) | 6 | 10,894 | BBC Sport |
| 12 | 21 November 2009 | Motherwell | A | 1–1 | McDonald (67) | 6 | 4,668 | BBC Sport |
| 13 | 28 November 2009 | Rangers | H | 1–0 | Miller (17) | 6 | 16,153 | BBC Sport |
| 14 | 5 December 2009 | Celtic | A | 0–3 | | 6 | 56,010 | BBC Sport |
| 15 | 12 December 2009 | Hamilton Academical | H | 1–2 | McDonald (75) | 6 | 9,499 | BBC Sport |
| 16 | 19 December 2009 | Hibernian | H | 0–2 | | 6 | 9,096 | BBC Sport |
| 17 | 2 January 2010 | Dundee United | A | 1–0 | Mulgrew (15) | 6 | 10,032 | BBC Sport |
| 18 | 12 January 2010 | St Mirren | A | 0–1 | | 6 | 3,867 | BBC Sport |
| 19 | 23 January 2010 | Kilmarnock | H | 1–0 | Young (49) | 7 | 12,150 | BBC Sport |
| 20 | 27 January 2010 | Heart of Midlothian | A | 3–0 | Fyvie (12), Mackie (50), Young (75) | 6 | 14,219 | BBC Sport |
| 21 | 30 January 2010 | Motherwell | H | 0–3 | | 7 | 9,555 | BBC Sport |
| 22 | 2 February 2010 | Falkirk | H | 0–1 | | 7 | 7,741 | BBC Sport |
| 23 | 10 February 2010 | Hibernian | A | 2–2 | Paton (25), MacLean (34) | 6 | 10,469 | BBC Sport |
| 24 | 13 February 2010 | Celtic | H | 4–4 | Paton (9), Mackie (37), MacLean (75 pen), (88) | 7 | 14,898 | BBC Sport |
| 25 | 20 February 2010 | Falkirk | A | 1–3 | Mulgrew (5) | 7 | 4,643 | BBC Sport |
| 26 | 27 February 2010 | Heart of Midlothian | H | 0–1 | | 7 | 8,316 | BBC Sport |
| 27 | 6 March 2010 | Hamilton Academical | A | 1–1 | Diamond (76) | 7 | 2,030 | BBC Sport |
| 28 | 16 March 2010 | St Johnstone | A | 0–1 | | 8 | 3,826 | BBC Sport |
| 29 | 20 March 2010 | Dundee United | H | 2–2 | Diamond (32), Paton (45) (pen.) | 8 | 9,316 | BBC Sport |
| 30 | 27 March 2010 | St Mirren | H | 2–1 | Diamond (37), Aluko (56) | 8 | 8,764 | BBC Sport |
| 31 | 4 April 2010 | Kilmarnock | A | 0–2 | | 8 | 4,825 | BBC Sport |
| 32 | 7 April 2010 | Rangers | A | 1–3 | Mackie (68) | 8 | 47,061 | BBC Sport |
| 33 | 11 April 2010 | St Johnstone | H | 1–3 | Mackie (17) | 9 | 7,568 | BBC Sport |
| 34 | 17 April 2010 | Falkirk | H | 1–0 | MacLean (11) | 9 | 10,461 | BBC Sport |
| 35 | 24 April 2010 | St Johnstone | A | 1–1 | MacLean (16) | 9 | 3,295 | BBC Sport |
| 36 | 1 May 2010 | Hamilton Academical | H | 1–3 | Young (85) | 9 | 7,099 | BBC Sport |
| 37 | 5 May 2010 | Kilmarnock | H | 1–2 | Kerr (26) | 9 | 6,097 | BBC Sport |
| 38 | 8 May 2010 | St Mirren | A | 1–0 | Mair (27) (o.g.) | 9 | 4,022 | BBC Sport |

### UEFA Europa League

| Round | Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Aberdeen Scorer(s) | Attendance | Report |
| TQR | 30 July 2009 | Sigma Olomouc | H | 1–5 | Mulgrew (23) | 13,973 | BBC Sport |
| TQR | 6 August 2009 | Sigma Olomouc | A | 0–3 | | 7,405 | BBC Sport |

### Scottish League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Aberdeen Scorer(s) | Attendance | Report |
| Third Round | 22 September 2009 | Dundee | A | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Paton (63, 88) | 6,131 | BBC Sport |

### Scottish Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Aberdeen Scorer(s) | Attendance | Report |
| Fourth Round | 9 January 2010 | Hearts | H | 2–0 | Mackie (60), Miller (76) | 8,226 | BBC Sport |
| Fifth Round | 6 February 2010 | Raith Rovers | A | 1–1 | McDonald (90) | 7,045 | BBC Sport |
| Fifth Round Replay | 16 February 2010 | Raith Rovers | H | 0–1 | | 8,153 | BBC Sport |

## Competitions
### Overall

| Competition | Started round | Current position / round | Final position / round | First match | Last match |
| Scottish Premier League | — | — | 9th | 15 August 2009 | 8 May 2010 |
| League Cup | 3rd Round | — | 3rd Round | 22 September 2009 | 22 September 2009 |
| Scottish Cup | 4th Round | — | 5th Round | 9 January 2010 | 16 February 2010 |
| UEFA Europa League | Third qualifying round | — | Third qualifying round | 30 July 2009 | 6 August 2009 |
Source: Competitions

### SPL
#### Classification

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 7 | Hamilton Academical | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 39 | 46 | −7 | 49 |
| 8 | St Johnstone | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 57 | 61 | −4 | 47 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 36 | 52 | −16 | 41 |
| 10 | St Mirren | 38 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 36 | 49 | −13 | 34 |
| 11 | Kilmarnock | 38 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 29 | 51 | −22 | 33 |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Source: BBC Sport

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
| Ground | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | H | A |
| Result | L | W | D | D | W | D | D | D | L | L | W | D | W | L | L | L | W | L | W | W | L | L | D | D | L | L | D | L | D | W | L | L | L | W | D | L | L | W |
| Position | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |

#### Results by opponent

| Team | Results | Results | Results | Results | Points |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Points |
| Celtic | 1–3 | 0–3 | 4–4 | | 1 |
| Dundee United | 0–2 | 1–0 | 2–2 | | 4 |
| Falkirk | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 4 |
| Hamilton Academical | 3–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4 |
| Heart of Midlothian | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–1 | | 4 |
| Hibernian | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | | 1 |
| Kilmarnock | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 4 |
| Motherwell | 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | | 2 |
| Rangers | 0–0 | 1–0 | 1–3 | | 4 |
| St Johnstone | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4 |
| St Mirren | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 9 |
Source: 2009–10 Scottish Premier League article