Jim Goodwin faces Aberdeen sack – LIVE updates

Goodwin’s at the wheel ... for nowAberdeen manager Jim Goodwin Leaves Cormack Park less than 24 hours after humiliation in Darvel (Image: Ross Johnston/Newsline media)

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has left Cormack Park for the day amid increasing doubts over his long-term future as Dons boss.

Goodwin is under immense pressure with just one win in nine games and defeat to Darvel sending the Pittodrie outfit to an all-time low.

The board are expected to meet to discuss his future.

Following the defeat he admitted he had no assurances over his future as Aberdeen boss from Dave Cormack, and it remains to be seen if the club chairman has taken a major decision over the bosses future.

He was spotted leaving the training ground following the Scottish Cup flop - but will Goodwin be back tomorrow morning?

Foster: Jim Goodwin has 'lost the dressing room'

Former Aberdeen star Richard Foster reckons Jim Goodwin has “lost the dressing room” at Aberdeen after the dismal defeat to Darvel.

The former Pittodrie defender was quick to point the finger of blame at the lacklustre performance by the players in Ayrshire that saw the sixth tier side seal a historic Scottish Cup victory.

But speaking to the PLZ Football Show, he admitted blame will ultimately fall on the shoulders of Goodwin.

Aberdeen have aspirations to be the third best team in the country, and they went up against the third best team in the country and got absolutely hammered. The gulf in class between those two teams was vast.

It’s always going to fall on the manager. That performance last night, every player on the pitch has to take responsilibty because they were miles off it. As a manager you can only do so much.

The players on the pitch need to look at themselves, but to me it looked like had lost the dressing room. While I don’t advocate sacking managers really quickly, because I don’t think it works because you get a high turnover in players, you are not going to sack 25 players.They can sack on manager.

I don’t think it’s fair, but that’s the way the way football is.

Last 16 reminder (Image: SNS Group / SFA)

Well it's Falkirk up next for Darvel and while the West of Scotland Premier League side will still go in as heavy underdogs, they'll be thinking "why not?"

With a place in the last eight at stake, here's a reminder of how the last 16 looks.

Linlithgow Rose OR Raith Rovers v Motherwell

Livingston v Inverness CT OR Queen's Park

Dundee United v Kilmarnock

Hamilton Academical v Hearts

Celtic v St Mirren

Cove Rangers OR Ayr United v Elgin City OR Drumchapel United

Darvel v Falkirk

Rangers v Partick Thistle

Dons have 'regressed' under Dave Cormack

Aberdeen fans are turning their fury to the board after their shock flop in Ayrshire.

The defeat to Darvel has sent shockwaves through Scottish football and has put Jim Goodwin on the brink of a Pittodrie exit.

However, Gary Scott of Dons’ fan podcast ABZ reckons Dave Cormack must take some responsibility, telling the BBC:

Jim Goodwin's failure is merely symptomatic of a much wider issue at the club. Under the stewardship of Dave Cormack, the Dons have regressed season upon season. For all of the good work done within the AFC Community Trust and fan engagement such as the introduction of the Red Shed, the footballing operation is in a pitiful place.

Serious questions now have to be asked about the future of Steven Gunn, the rookie Director of Football who, ultimately, is meant to be responsible for all matters on the footballing side of things.

Aberdeen’s season died in Darvel. Dave Cormack and co. have to act swiftly and with laser focus to ensure that the last two seasons are blips and don’t represent the future trajectory of Aberdeen Football Club.

Champion cyclist Neil Fachie hits out— Neil Fachie OBE (@neilfachie) January 24, 2023

Pie in the sky Darvel chairman John Gall at the Scotch Pie Awards

The idea of a run deep into the Scottish Cup might have been pie in the sky stuff for Darvel before kick-off last night but their chairman is taking that expression literally as he submits his entry for the Scotch Pie Awards.

Gall, the man behind Brownings the Bakers who produce the famous Killie Pie, is hoping to make it a double after his side sent Aberdeen packing.

And to make matters better, it could all come in on his grandson's first birthday.

It's held every year in January, last year I won it so I'm the World Pie Champion as well as having the biggest shock in Scottish football!

It's my pies that everybody will eat for lunch today and then we'll find out who the winners of this year's competition.

We'll also find out who has the best football pie in Scotland and I'm hoping my Kilmarnock pie wins that.

It could be some double, and my youngest grandson, Leo, he's 1 today. So that could be a wee treble!

Sinking like a stone Jim Goodwin trudges off the pitch (Image: SNS Group)

It wasn't that long ago things were looking peachy for Goodwin at Aberdeen.

Cast your mind back to that 1-0 win over Dundee United at Pittodrie in November, and they were third in the table, two points ahead of Livingston and four clear of Hearts - and it was the Tynecastle faithful who were rumbling about a managerial change.

Two sore, late defeats to Celtic and Rangers took the wind out of their sails though and they have never really recovered.

They've won just one of the nine games since that victory - against St Johnstone at home - taking four points from a possible 21.

They went out of the League Cup, were thumped 5-0 by Hearts to fall NINE points behind them, and have just exited the Scottish Cup to a team from the sixth tier.

It's hard to defend, isn't it?

Part time for Darvel chairman John Gall (left) celebrates with the players

Chairman John Gall reckons there would have been a party in every house in Darvel after the Scottish Cup sensation.

Notions of moving the Dons tie to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park were rejected and the decision to stage at Recreation Park fully rewarded as over 2,000 locals emptied the streets to pour into the ground to witness history and others watched the famous triumph on live TV screening.

And Gall said it means "everything" to the West of Scotland League side and the people of Darvel.

This just means everything. From the start seven years ago when we began to build something, who would have thought at that stage we would have beaten Aberdeen in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup?

We were in tier nine. Now we are in tier six and we have beaten a club that are 50-odd places in front of us in the league. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

It is unbelievable and I am just over the moon. What a set of players, what a management team, the committee, everybody in Darvel who was at the game or watching it on the telly. There is bound to be a party in every house in Darvel!

Gall was virtually the last man out of the ground after the astonishing win and helped lock up the stadium. Recreation Park now has a fifth-round clash against Falkirk and he's looking forward to doing it all again in February.

Now we have the tickets to sell all over again and we are going to keep the game at Darvel. There is no way we are moving this game out of Darvel. Everybody knows where Darvel is now on the map.

Sir Alexander Fleming was born in Darvel and he discovered penicillin. That’s the most famous thing Darvel has ever produced, as such. But now it’s the football team that is making all the headlines and it’s very good.

(The players) will get a good bonus in the round that we exit and any cut of TV fees, if we happened to be on it, as well. That’s the arrangement we have had for two years with them and they are happy with that.

'Worst result in 120 years of history'

It doesn't get any worse than that for Aberdeen, according to Steve Wilson of the Dons Supporters Together trust.

700 hardy souls travelled down from the north east for the cup tie last night and Wilson, speaking to Northsound News, believes the board and management need to hold themselves accountable for the horror show in Ayrshire.

You look back at Stenhousemuir, East Fife, Queen of the South, you thought we can't get any lower than that. And then look what happens last night.

Only one team wanted to win that and it wasn't Aberdeen. 120 years of history and that's absolutely embarassing for the club.

The directors, players and management need to take a long hard look at themselves. You've got fans paying good money, taking time off their work to travel down there and that's what they get repaid with.

It's just not good enough. It really isn't good enough.

Lowest point in Stewart's career

Anthony Stewart has described the Darvel defeat as the lowest point of his career.

The Aberdeen captain was asked by a reporter: "What that the lowest point in your football career?"

He replies: "Definitely."

Stewart was also asked about consistency between home and away form, he said: "Consistency is a big thing in football. We can't do it on one game and not do it for three games after. We've got to do it day in, day out."

Darvel result has dragged Aberdeen back, says McLeish

Aberdeen legend Alex McLeish believes the defeat to Darvel has dragged his former club back "a mile".

The ex-centre half said he believes chairman Dave Cormack is trying to improve the club and take it to the next level but has been hampered by on-field performances.

Speaking to TalkSport, McLeish said:

I feel for the club at the moment, Dave Cormack is a good mate and I know he is seriously trying to get them to a better level but I'm afraid that one has dragged them back a mile.

Andy Robertson congratulates Darvel

https://t.co/d1qLZunWHE

— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) January 23, 2023

Inside story on how Darvel bashed bookies

Darvel were the subject of a remarkable punting plunge that saw them backed from 50/1 to just 8/1 as they made history by beating Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, writes Mark Walker.

The sixth-tier outfit became the first non-league team to eliminate a top flight club in the Cup since then-Highland League side Elgin City beat Ayr United in 1967.

The 1-0 win against the dismal Dons was certainly the biggest shock in the 149-year history of the Scottish Cup and the worst result in Aberdeen's 120-year history.

But their stunning win didn't just spark off celebrations in the tiny 4,000-strong population in the East Ayrshire town, it left canny punters quids in too.

The West of Scotland Premier League leaders were as big as 50/1 to pull off a shock when the odds were first announced, but the price on a home win steadily tumbled as punters raced to get on.

And the price on a home win collapsed to just 8/1 before kick off...which still couldn't prevent a bookies' bloodbath.

Scottish firm McBookie.com spokesman Paul Petrie said:

This was a huge gamble and the punters have well and truly done us in. Even when we were cutting the price on a Darvel win all day, we were still getting inundated with punters wanting to back them. There were plenty who backed them to win 1-0 too. It was one of the biggest gambles we have ever seen in Scotland. And while I'm sure the parties are still going on in Darvel, I can assure them they won't be 50/1 when they play Falkirk in the net round!

Jim Goodwin's worst results

Jim Goodwin has been in charge for less than a year at the Pittodrie but he has already presided over some terrible results since taking over from Stephen Glass.

The defeat to Darvel is the worst of the lot but there have been some shockers. Here are the worst four:

Dundee United 4-0 Aberdeen: Jim Goodwin felt the anger of the Dons fans earlier this season when they travelled to Tannadice and were turned over by Liam Fox's men. A proportion of the Red Army called for his head then but Cormack was not for budging.

Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic: The result wasn't a shock but the performance and Goodwin's tactics were from another era. His ultra defensive set up did not go down well among the supporters.

Hearts 5-0 Aberdeen: It was labelled the battle for third, but Aberdeen were miles off it and couldn't handle the Hearts attack. The defensive errors were clear to see once again.

Darvel 1-0 Aberdeen: The biggest upset in Scottish Cup history

No decision today on Goodwin's future

Many Aberdeen fans wanted Jim Goodwin out last night after the defeat and believed he would be sacked today, but it looks as if he may survive the next 24 hours.

According to a number of reports, the Dons board wanted to sleep on the decision before announcing anything however it has emerged Goodwin may remain in place.

The hold up may be the lack of options to take over from the Irishman who has had less than a year in charge at Pittodrie.

Poll: Should Goodwin be sacked?

Miller doubts Goodwin has 'goodwill' to avoid sack

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller believes "serious discussions" will have to take place between manager Jim Goodwin and chairman Dave Cormack after the Scottish Cup defeat to Darvel.

The West of Scotland League Premier Division champions dumped the Dons out the cup at the fourth round stage thanks to a 19th minute goal from Jordan Kirkpatrick.

READ MORE:Willie Miller doubts Jim Goodwin has Aberdeen 'goodwill' to avoid the sack with Dave Cormack facing major call

Aberdeen fans rage

Aberdeen fans appeared to turn on the club last night after a banner appeared outside the training ground slamming the the players, manager and chairman.

A banner was hung outside Cormack Park on the outskirts of the city late last night.

Cormack's conundrum

Dave Cormack may want to get rid of Jim Goodwin from the Aberdeen hotseat but he faces a difficult decision in who to replace him.

There is not a standout candidate to takeover from the Irishman, but there are a number of managers in the mix including Paul Lambert and Neil Lennon.

Cormack could install an interim boss to look after the side while the board search for a replacement.

The chairman will have to get this appointment right after two failures in the dugout.

Daily Record front page today

If you live in the Darvel area then good news because more Daily Record's have been printed for the town.

Make sure you get your hands on a copy to so you can remember the historic victory and the biggest upset in the Scottish Cup.

Stewart 'feels' for Jim Goodwin

Aberdeen fans have picked up on Anthony Stewart's past tense interview on Jim Goodwin following the debacle at Darvel last night.

The captain told Red TV:

We can't do it for one game then not for the few games after. We've got to do it day in, day out the way we live away from football in football, on the training pitch.

I feel it for the gaffer. He's gave it his all. He's given us everything we could have asked for. As players we got to take full responsibility. We can't keep coming out here and feeling sorry for ourselves, we've got to roll up our sleaves and go again.

Aberdeen's worst ever results

The result last night was the worst in Aberdeen's history, but there have been some shockers since the club was founded in 1903.

Here are just some of them:

Dundee United 4-0 Aberdeen (2022) - Earlier this season Goodwin's team were humiliated at Tannadice in what was another shocking performance.

Celtic 9-0 Aberdeen (2010) - Mark McGhee's side were thumped at Parkhead but he didn't lose his job until a month after the humiliation.

Aberdeen 1-5 Sigma Olomouc (2009) - Mark McGhee's first game in charge was one of Aberdeen's worst European defeats. They went on to lose the tie 8-1 after being thumped 3-0 in the Czech Republic.

Queen of the South 4-3 Aberdeen (2008) - The Doonhamers reached their first ever Scottish Cup final after embarrassing Jimmy Calderwood's men.

Stenhousemuir 2-0 Aberdeen (1995) - Previous to the defeat at Darvel the Ochilview loss was classed as the worst in the club's history.

Aberdeen 1-1 Skonto Riga (1994) - The Dons eventually lost on pens to the minnows from Latvia.

Goodwin set for showdown with players

Jim Goodwin is set for a showdown with the Aberdeen players today as they dissect the 1-0 defeat to Darvel on Monday night.

The Aberdeen manager, who may not be in the dugout for the clash at Hibs on Saturday, said they will come out 'fighting' at Easter Road.

He said:

We need to assess what went on, we’ll have our meetings with the players and we’ll look to come out fighting at Easter Road on Saturday. We are going through a very difficult period but I’ve got confidence in the squad we’ve got. We have to stick together, keep fighting, work hard, and put on a good display against Hibs on Saturday.

Aberdeen fans let rip

Here's footage from the away end at full time and the travelling fans are not happy.

And how was those boos resonate with Dave Cormack who appears to have a major decision to make.

Next manager odds

Paul Lambert - 2/1

Jack Ross - 7/2

Neil Lennon - 4/1

David Martindale - 6/1

Darren Fletcher - 8/1

Duncan Ferguson - 10/1

Mark Warburton - 12/1

Goodwin urges players to 'stick together'

Jim Goodwin has vowed to put on a good display when Aberdeen travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian at the weekend.

The Aberdeen manager has also urged his players to stick together in order to get out the mess they are in.

He said:

As a manager, especially of a club of the size of Aberdeen, you need to win games of football. Our form since the return after the World Cup hasn’t been good enough. Tonight is an extremely difficult result to take after a really poor performance that lacked any urgency and any creativity at the top end of the pitch. We need to assess what went on, we’ll have our meetings with the players and we’ll look to come out fighting at Easter Road on Saturday. We’re all in it together. I’m the manager, I pick the team and I thought the team we started with was strong. We made changes at half-time to try and spark us into life, but it wasn’t to be. It’s my responsibility to make sure the performances are where they need to be and unfortunately tonight, that wasn’t the case. We are going through a very difficult period but I’ve got confidence in the squad we’ve got. We have to stick together, keep fighting, work hard, and put on a good display against Hibs on Saturday.”

What Goodwin said post-match

Jim Goodwin faced the media after the game and was full of praise for Darvel.

The Aberdeen manager believed the West of Scotland side deserved to win the game and advance to the next round.

He said:

I could talk about how bad we were but that would be doing a disservice to Darvel. They thoroughly deserved their victory. We weren’t at it, for whatever reason, very flat at times, lacked creativity and a cutting edge in the final third. Darvel got their noses in front and defended for their lives and deserved to go through. The last two results have been extremely disappointing. To concede five at Hearts and then to go to a Junior team in the cup and get turned over, it’s embarrassing, it’s humiliating for everybody connected with the club. I speak on behalf of the staff and the players and I can only apologise to the supporters. We are very embarrassed by what has gone on here but as I said, I don’t want to take anything away from Darvel. They were at it from the first minute, they got in front from a goal that summed up our defending for large spells of this season, a soft one from our point of view, and then they defended for their lives. We didn’t work the goalkeeper enough. We had chances, I thought Clarkson’s run for the disallowed goal was well timed, but I’m clutching at straws to be thinking of that goal taking us to extra-time. It should never have got to that. We need to do better, we need to work harder, we need to stick together and we need to turn it round.

McCoist wants Darvel hero

On talksport NOW!

The Rangers icon wants Jordan Kirkpatrick to join him live on air to tell him all about the goal which decked the Dons.

But the man of the moment might be working as intimated after his heroics last night.

Why is it the biggest shock ever?

It's simple really – there are SIX tiers separating Aberdeen and Darvel but it was the boys in Blue who looked Premiership class.

And Dons fans - venting on social media - admit they knew the game was up when the opener hit the back of the net.

Worrying time.

Goodwin reacts to his nightmare night

Ashen-faced is an understatement as the Irishman looks like's he spied a Scottish Cup ghost.

Here's what he's had to say.