Impressive Aberdeen put Raith Rovers to the sword to as they booked their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.
Jim Goodwin enjoyed the perfect warm up for the Scottish Premiership kick-off with Bojan Miovski 's penalty alongside goals from Ross McCrorie and Jonny Hayes ensuring a an unblemished group campaign as well as a seeded spot in the next round. Ian Murray's Championship outfit appeared to be the toughest test of the group stage with Aberdeen facing League One and Two opposition up to this point, but the Dons closed out the start of the campaign in style.
It's the early momentum the Pittodrie boss would have been desperate to see from his side with Celtic waiting for the opening day of the season after the Dons' lacklustre campaign last term. Ange Postecoglou's champions won't want to let Aberdeen dampen flag day in Glasgow's east end and will provide the toughest possible test for Goodwin's revamped squad.
Debutant Miovski was handed Christian Ramirez's number nine jersey as well as his place in the starting line-up, and made an immediate impact on the game as the was chopped down by Sam Stanton in the six-yard box. The North Macedonian international collected a loose ball to burst through on goal before being fouled, and referee David Munro pointed to the spot.
The 23-year-old cooly stepped up to the spot, and smashed the penalty into the top corner beyond the reach of Robbie Thomson after just six minutes. Raith almost found a way back into the game but Jamie Gullan blew a great opportunity from close range. Slack defending from the Dons allowed Liam Dick to whip a low cross to the striker, however his tame effort curled wide of Kelle Roos' post.
Dick was again causing problems down the left flank for the hosts as he found space again on the touchline to fizz a dangerous ball across the Aberdeen six-yard box. Anthony Stewart and Liam Scales could only watch the ball go beyond them, but Gullan failed to get the decisive touch.
Hayes almost looped one into the net after a darting run from Matty Kennedy allowed the full-back to hit the byline and ping a dangerous ball into the right-hand post. The former Celtic man cushioned the ball over the head of Thomson, but Christoph Berra was back on the line to clear the danger.
The home fans didn't have to wait long for a second as McCrorie unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the box. The ball pinged in off the top of Thomson's bar with the stranded stopper only able to watch as the ball nestled in the net.
Aberdeen didn't waste any time in the second half as Hayes latched on to a defence splitting pass within seconds of the restart. Miovski left the ball for the lung-bursting run of the Ireland cap before he calmly fired into the bottom corner.
It could have been four moments later. Miovski was again at the heart of the action as he played a neat one-two with Vicente Besuijen on the edge of the box, before the Dutchman was denied by a diving Thomson save.
Substitute Ramirez had a perfect chance to remind his boss what he is capable of late in the game as Luis Lopes whipped a dangerous ball into the six-yard box. However, the backtracking American smashed the ball well over the bar from close range.
Raith rage after McCrorie stunner
The league campaign hasn't even started, but McCrorie will hope that the Aberdeen fans remember his wonder strike when goal of the season voting comes around. The midfielder was the standout performer for the home side and capped off the performance with a 30-yard wonder strike.
However, Raith captain Christoph Berra was straight over to the linesman to protest after the ball found the net. An aerial dual between Dario Zanatta and Jayden Richardson seconds before the goal led to claims that David Munro should have awarded a free-kick to the visitors. It would have been a harsh call from Munro, and McCrorie will be delighted it stood so he can add the strike to his personal highlight reel.
The numbers don't lie
Jim Goodwin showed his faith in new recruit Miovski before a ball was even kicked as he handed him the number nine jersey to the frontman and a start at Pittodrie. The North Macedonia cap repaid that faith with a goal on his debut and caused plenty of problems for the Championship side, but what does it all mean for Christian Ramirez?
The American has been handed the squad number of 99 going into the big kick-off next week. It doesn't appear that his three goals in the group stage have won over Goodwin so far. After being allowed to return to the States before the end of last season with many expected the US cap to complete a transfer back to his homeland. Could a deal still be the cards with Miovski appearing to be the bosses first choice this term?
The Reds are ready
Jim Goodwin will have been desperate for the league season to start having had the chance to reshape the squad. While losing Lewis Ferguson and Calvin Ramsay will be a blow, the likes of Declan Gallagher and Dylan McGeouch have been moved on after disappointing spells in the Granite City.
It's been a perfect start to the new season with memories of last season's disaster beginning to fade. It's now five wins from five without conceding a goal, with 15 goals netted so far. The real measuring stick will come at Celtic Park next Sunday, but fans will be hopeful of taking a positive result back to Pittodrie and spoiling the champions' flag day celebrations.
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