“Celtic’s history and what I’ve seen so far this season, it speaks for itself,” Jimmy Thelin | OneFootball

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin plays down talk of the Dons competing Celtic for the Premiership title as he looks ahead to tomorrow’s top of the table clash…

Dundee v Aberdeen Aberdeen Manager Jimmy Thelin talks to Kevin Nisbet during the Scottish Premiership match at Dens Park on 28 September 2024. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

A remarkable start

The Swede’s side sit second in the Scottish Premiership following a remarkable start to their league season. Winning seven out of seven matches, whilst scoring 15 on the way, life in Scotland could not have started any better for the former Elfsborg manager.

Aberdeen remains the only European side to have won all competitive games so far this season. Thelin’s run stretches back to 13 matches, as the Dons comfortably progressed in the earlier Scottish League Cup round due to being absent from European football.

Thelin’s most sizeable challenge yet

Tomorrow though is Thelin’s most sizeable challenge yet. Having avoided both Celtic and theRangers at the beginning of the campaign, October will be a true reflection of whether Aberdeen can maintain their form heading into a congested fixture list.

Action at the Aberdeen end during the William Hill Premiership match between Dundee and Aberdeen at Dens Park on September 28, 2024 (Photo by Andrew Leinster/Getty Images)

The narrative of ‘can Aberdeen split the two Glasgow sides’ really means can the Dons finish above theRangers.

Speaking in his press conference at Cormack Park today, the Aberdeen manager had this to say, via the official AFC website, about Celtic. “I think Celtic’s history and what I’ve seen so far this season, it speaks for itself. Football is football and tomorrow is a game, it’s 90 minutes. We have to give everything. Everybody has to come out as the best they can but also that we can show our fans that we believe in what we are doing and stay strong in that.

Give everything we have

“Then give everything we have. That is the idea we have. We have a clear game plan. We know what Celtic are good at and also try to find some weakness and attack them there but also how we need to defend. I think one of the main things tomorrow is how good we are ourselves with the ball.

History is not on Aberdeen’s side in this fixture at Celtic Park, and Thelin is well aware of that.

Luis Palma of Celtic celebrates after he scores during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on November 12, 2023.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“The results speak for themselves (at Celtic Park) over the years but for us the most important thing that we can do and I think the best chance for us to improve and hopefully get a good result, to be as true to ourselves, the identity we try to create and the things we started building here.”

They are a really strong team

“They are going to test us in some areas. They are a really strong team. Every game is a test in different areas and you’re trying to be more consistent in your qualities every game in longer period of times. Hopefully at times we can have some momentum ourselves and try to be what we are good at.”

Celtic demolished Barry Robson’s dismal Dons team last November and Thelin will be looking to become the first Aberdeen gaffer since Derek McInnes to be victorious in Glasgow’s East End. It was back in May 2018, Aberdeen defeated Brendan Rodgers’ champions to secure second place on the final day, in what was a dead rubber for the Champions.

Title talk is way too early

46 year-old Thelin has quashed any suggestions that Aberdeen are in a title race with the three in a row title winners, “it’s way too early. I think we have played something like seven games. It’s the eighth game tomorrow and it’s October and then until May and a lot of things can happen. Nothing has changed with how we think about everything.”

Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after he scores during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on November 12, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We know what Celtic are good at and also try to find some weakness and attack them there but also how we need to defend. I think one of the main things tomorrow is how good we are ourselves with the ball.”

Meanwhile, the Hoops will be aiming to create a gap at the top of the table with a strong performance and continue their perfect domestic record.

A sold-out Celtic Park paves the way for an electric atmosphere with a huge three points on the line.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!