Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven demands even more after emphatic 6-2 win against Livingston

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven insists he will demand even more from the Dons despite an emphatic 6-2 win against Livingston.

In a frantic, bizarre match the Reds ended a six game winless Premiership run when netting six league goals for the first time since 2017.

Leven has warned his players must be driven to deliver even higher levels under his watch, however long that will be as the Dons search for a permanent manager.

Sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel is overseeing the search for a new manager and has completed a shortlist and began the interview process.

Both clubs were reduced to 10 men following straight red cards to Jack Milne and Livingston’s Jeremy Bokila for an off-the ball incident in the 7oth minute.

Aberdeen also had a Kevin Nisbet goal in the first half chalked off for offside following a controversial VAR review.

Leven lays down Aberdeen demand

Aberdeen went ahead through Kenan Bilalovic but fell 2-1 behind via quick-fire efforts from Mahamadou Sushoho and Robbie Muirhead.

However, doubles from Nisbet and Topi Keskinen, along with a goal from Sivert Heltne Nilsen, secured a thrilling victory.

Leven said: “I want that extra demands on players to not settle for what we have got, I want more.

“It was a good performance but we could have scored more, we can still do things better with the ball, but overall I’m happy.

“Intensity has gone up as I demand a lot from them but I also give them that freedom to go and express themselves.

“You could see that against Livingston with some of the goals we scored and also the one from Kevin (Nisbet) that was chalked off.

“Which was confusing as they said they couldn’t draw the lines on it.

“I always thought you then went with the on-field decision, but it was ruled out.”

Leven on disallowed Aberdeen goal

Striker Nisbet looked to have fired Aberdeen into a 2-0 lead early in the first half but the goal was disallowed for offside.

VAR intervened but referee Ross Hardie had to then look at stills on the pitch-side monitor as the lines could not be drawn adequately.

Asked if he had received an explanation on why the lines couldn’t be drawn for the disallowed goal, Leven said: “No.

“He just said the lines couldn’t be drawn so he was just going to go over to see the still image on the VAR.

“I have not seen it back yet, if it was offside or not.”

In a flashpoint Dons centre-back Milne and substitute Bokila were both red carded in the 70th minute for an off-the ball clash.

Leven said: “I just thought they grabbed each other, but then they said they grabbed each other round the throat.

“If that’s the rules, that’s the rules.”

In the aftermath of the match Livingston manager Davie Martindale said referee Ross Hardie never had control of the game.

Martindale was sent to the stand early in the second half.

Leven was asked if he agreed with Martindale’s assessment.

He replied: “I thought at times there was a yellow card for everything.

“It wasn’t yellow cards for certain situations.

“He is a young, new referee so it is what it is.”

Aberdeen sporting director Pfannenstiel recently confirmed “three or four” candidates are in the frame for the permanent managerial position.

Leven addresses managerial search

Pfannenstiel said the club will not rush into appointing Jimmy Thelin’s replacement as they need to “tick all the boxes”.

Asked if he has been informed of a time-line for the new managerial appointment, Leven said: “I don’t know.

“I am just taking it day by day, game by game and rolling with it.”

Leven has now led Aberdeen to back-to-back victories following the 1-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win against Raith Rovers.

Is there a chance he could remain interim boss until the end of the season?

“I don’t know,” replied Leven.

“I am in regular contact with Lutz and am taking it game by game and seeing out the transfer window just now.”

Dante Polvara targeted by MLS club

Midfielder Dante Polvara was not in the match-day squad as American MLS club St Louis City are pushing to sign him for what is understood to be a six-figure fee.

Polvara, 25, is out of contract at the end of the season.

MLS club Columbus Crew are also reportedly tracking Polvara.

Leven said: “I was told that Dante was not going to be in the squad today.

“And that is all I was told.”

[Source: Press and Journal]