Former Celtic academy prospect Ross Doohan is starting to make his mark in the Scottish Premiership — and could be set for a Hampden Park semi-final start this weekend.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who came through the ranks at Lennoxtown, was once viewed as a rising star at Parkhead. But despite loan spells at Greenock Morton, Ayr United, Dundee United and Ross County, Doohan was never able to make the breakthrough into Celtic’s first team before moving on in 2022.
Now at Aberdeen, Doohan has stepped up impressively during a critical spell for the Dons — earning plaudits from manager Jimmy Thelin for his performances after being thrust into action following a shoulder injury to first-choice keeper Dimitar Mitov.
Doohan, who joined the Pittodrie club from Forest Green Rovers last summer, had been a peripheral figure in the early part of his Aberdeen career. After making just two appearances last season, few would have predicted the former Hoops prospect would go on to feature so prominently.
However, Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Rangers marked his 18th outing of the current campaign, and he is now in line to start Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Hearts on Saturday — should Mitov fail to recover in time.
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Speaking ahead of the last four showdown at the national stadium, Thelin was full of praise for how Doohan has risen to the challenge in testing circumstances.
The Dons boss said: “It’s not easy sometimes when you haven’t played for a long time and suddenly you should be playing a lot of games. Soon it is almost 50-50 [in terms of appearances] and he is closing in. The squad has grown with the experience.
“The challenging times this year have helped a lot of players to be more ready for the future also. It’s a different reason, but I think more and more players are growing in the costume and performing much better, and that’s also helping us as a team.
“Every year, I think, a season is a squad season. It’s not a starting XI season.”
While Doohan’s immediate focus will be on securing a place in the Hampden line-up, his long-term future in the Granite City still remains uncertain. The keeper’s current contract is set to expire this summer, and talks over an extension are ongoing.
Asked about the player’s future, Thelin offered little away, simply stating: “Some dialogue is ongoing, but nothing is clear yet.”
