Aberdeen

When Nicky Devlin pounced to nod in his side’s second with 20 minutes to go after Marko Lazetic’s spectacular effort was tipped onto the bar, the home fans matched their side’s energy levels on the park as they hoped for a grandstand finish.

“The positive thing was we were connecting with the fans, showing some desire, passion, and personality on the pitch and fighting for Aberdeen football club,” Thelin said.

“We have to build on this now and learn from this. We always have to go out on the pitch to show how hard we are fighting for them.

“We did that today, the fans pushed the players to the last minute. We have to have that mentality every game. Now we will see the strength of character we have as a team in another important game on Sunday.”

The swell of support inside Pittodrie as they watched their side drive forward in the final half hour will also serve as encouragement for the embattled Thelin, who can take solace from the support within the fan base.

Donetsk are a side that arrived with a reputation for dynamic attacking play, having scored 14 goals in seven domestic league appearances, but Aberdeen matched their drive and zeal when the game was at its most frenetic.

Matthew: We keep with the same formation that has failed us consistently since November. Five wins in 32 league games is the sort of form that doesn’t give you any leeway. You can change personnel but it’s the formation that needs to change. Which he’s shown he won’t. Thanks for the cup, Jimmy, but times up I’m afraid.

Graham: The message is simple now. Thelin is not good enough for AFC. Must go unfortunately.

Aldo: Thelin has to go. The tactics are terrible, a squad of supposedly creative players create no chances whatsoever. Beating a few lower division teams and a terrible Hearts, then a flukey win over Celtic on pens should not keep him in the job.

SPB: The rather bizarre Scottish Cup final gave him a stay of execution. He won’t see out the year I’m afraid. His purple patch last year – when he blew a fantastic start – is all he has achieved in his tenure. He’s not the only one who should be walking at the club.

Ally: Awful! Lazy and slow. No passion, no heart. I’m afraid the bell tolls for the Aberdeen manager. Faith in your shape has failed! Thanks for the cup, Jimmy, but fare thee well!

Denis: Board must act now. Give Leven a few games as he was up for it last year when acted as interim manager.

Neil: Can someone tell Thelin that performing the same experiment (formation) over and over again, and expecting different results, is the definition of insanity! Adapt, or go!

Andy: There’s something much more wrong at Aberdeen than managers. Changing again will solve nothing. These players need to get honest.

Miovski scored 44 goals in 98 appearances for Aberdeen in a two-year spell before being sold to Girona last August.

He signed a four-year contract with the La Liga club, but he made only 16 starts and six substitute appearances, scoring four goals, last season for the side who finished 16th in the Spanish top flight.

The striker, capped 31 times for his country, came off after 43 minutes of their opening 3-1 defeat by Rayo Vallecano and was not in their squad for the 5-0 thrashing by Villarreal that followed.

Rangers were looking for forward additions after selling Hamza Igamane to Lille this week and Martin said: “His movement, intelligence and ability to score goals make him a real asset.

“He knows all about the Scottish Premiership and has a strong track record of performing and contributing in the league, so I am excited to welcome him to our squad.”

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell revealed Miovski had been “tracked closely” by Rangers, has “proven himself as a consistent goalscorer” and that his “knowledge of the Scottish Premiership is a huge advantage”.

Scoring three minutes after coming on is a dream impact for any substitute, which is what the rangy Polvara did.

But it was not just the fact he scored but the quality of the goal itself which was so impressive. A cross was guided behind him by Adil Aouchiche, and he reacted brilliantly to get to the ball first.

His awareness and agility to swivel and hit it first time off his left foot was even better, with the ball kissing the inside of the post on its way in.

But Polvara did not stop there. Four minutes later, his pinpoint cross teed up Ester Sokler, whose header went narrowly wide.

At the death, Polvara’s sheer presence caused havoc in the box and, but for a good save, he might have won it for Aberdeen.

Overall, the American managed two shots, both on target, and created three chances, the joint most of any player.

According to Opta, he completed all 19 of his passes and won six of his eight duels, the joint most among Aberdeen players. He was everywhere.

“Polvara down that left-hand side was such an out ball,” Aberdeen legend Willie Miller said on BBC Scotland.

“He’s a big strong unit. And the goal – he shouldn’t be scoring from that position. Facing away from goal and he’s able to manoeuvre himself to strike it.

“That fired the crowd up and gave them the hope and optimism they could get something out of it.

“He made a huge difference. The aerial threat, the energy, the quality. He must be in the manager’s thoughts to start next week.”