Aberdeen fans got their first glimpse of new boys Kristers Tobers and Jeppe Okkels – and they’ll be coming away relatively happy with how the duo fared in the goalless draw against Hearts.
Pittodrie boss Jimmy Thelin sealed deals to bring both players to the Granite City earlier this week and threw both players straight into action against the Jambos. Tobers was almost punished with a couple of careless passes but looked assured alongside makeshift centre back Sivert Heltne Nilsen. At 6ft2′, Tobers also gives the Reds some much-needed aerial threat that could be useful in both boxes.
Up the other end, the 24-year-old almost marked his debut with a goal but was denied by Craig Gordon at close quarters following a scramble from a Dons corner. The Latvia skipper – who jetted in from Swiss side Grasshoppers on Wednesday – lasted 66 minutes before being replaced with Dante Polvara, with Thelin citing after the game that they need to manage his minutes with the player just coming off a mid-season break.
Wide man Okkels had a sligthly more frustrating day at the office. The Preston loanee lined up on the left-hand side and dove-tailed well with full back James McGarry at times. Okkels was full of endeavour and running but was found wanting in attacking areas, most notably when he ended up putting a shot out of play on the far side early in the second half after picking up the ball from a cross at the back post. Was abysmal.
The former Denmark youth international hasn’t played much football since leaving Elfsborg – where he worked under Thelin – in 2023, after an injury ravaged spell with FC Utrecht and a challenging six months in England’s second tier with Preston.
Aberdeen remain without a victory in 11 Premiership matches and missed the chance to go back level with Dundee United in third. Speaking on the duo’s performances after the game, Thelin said: “I think they did really well. Kristers is a calm player who can organise the team. We have to have in mind that we had to take him off because he had just came from a twin season where he hasn’t trained so much.
“He only had one and a half sessions with us so did a good performance. It’s the same with Jeppe. He did some parts well and took responsibility. He didn’t get the perfect opportunities but the team was stable (with him).”
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.