Aberdeen Manager Thelin Stresses Team Spirit and Identity

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin stated that his team is not overly focused on their previous encounter with Celtic, as both clubs are set to compete in the League Cup semi-finals this Saturday. The Dons have commenced the season in exceptional form, remaining undefeated across 16 games in all competitions, securing 15 victories. This impressive streak features a 2-2 draw against Celtic last month, a game where Thelin’s squad rallied from a two-goal disadvantage to earn a point at Parkhead. Thelin elaborated on his team’s approach, stating: “We don’t think too much about the last game. It is a new game, it is a cup game, so for us it is just to prepare for this specific game and not thinking about the last game we played against them. Of course I can imagine Brendan [Rodgers] and Celtic learned things about us and we also learned things about them, but then it is more to respect their qualities and find the weakness. We have to prepare ourselves for this game on Saturday. We know what they are good at, we know their strengths, for us it is more about trying to be even better in our parts of the game, have a strong belief in what we are going to do and keep working on that. It is a cup game. It is winning or losing and we have to have a strong belief in what we are doing as usual. Brendan is a good coach, Celtic are a good team but also we know the situation, it is a semi-final so we have to prepare for that one.” Beyond securing points against Celtic last month, Aberdeen also triumphed over third-place Rangers with a 2-1 victory at Pittodrie on Wednesday night. The question arises whether this proven capability will serve them well for Saturday’s match at the national stadium. Thelin further commented: “We talk more about preparing ourselves and believing in what we are doing. It is a football game, you always to have to respect the opponent but believe in our identity. The team spirit is really strong, that is what we are working with.”