Findlay Marshall reckons Aberdeen snub by Jimmy Thelin was the making of him after landing Scotland U21 call-up

Marshall earned a Scotland U21 call-up after impressing on loan at Arbroath, proving wrong those who deemed him surplus to requirements at Aberdeen.

Findlay Marshall has turned a rejection into motivation after being told by Aberdeen's previous regime that he wasn't good enough for the club. The midfielder was loaned to Arbroath in summer 2025 by then-manager Jimmy Thelin, with assistant Peter Leven and director Steven Gunn delivering the news. Rather than leave permanently, Marshall thrived at Gayfield, becoming a key figure in Arbroath's promotion play-off push and earning a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination.

The turnaround has been complete. Aberdeen's new sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel backed Marshall with a new contract, and manager Stephen Robinson made clear he would have signed the midfielder had he not already been a Dons player. Marshall has now become a regular in Robinson's squad and earned a Scotland U21 call-up this week. "It was gutting at the time but I probably knew I wasn't ready," Marshall said. "That was probably the jolt I needed."

Marshall is now focused on helping Aberdeen beat Hibernian this weekend, a crucial fixture as Robinson's side looks to build momentum.