Aberdeen turnaround down to Thelin as Lee Miller sees no reason Dons can't return to European stage

Lee Miller sees no reason why Aberdeen can't already start dreaming of European football next season as he pinned all the credit on Jimmy Thelin for the impressive turnaround at Pittodrie.

Despite slipping up against St Mirren and seeing their unbeaten Premiership start come to an end, the Dons remain well clear of Rangers, holding an eight-point lead over their rivals in second spot.

They had matched Celtic stride for stride at the league summit before the 2-1 loss in Paisley, but it's hardly cast much doom and gloom over a confident Reds Army who are all hoping for a return to the continental stage next season.

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Last season the Dons fell perilously close to the relegation battle before Peter Leven steadied the ship and secured a seventh-placed finish and came one penalty kick away from the Scottish Cup final.

This season the belief Aberdeen can put themselves back in the European spot light is sky high, and Miller is adamant that is thanks to the new manager who has vowed he will get improvements from his side when they face Hibs tomorrow night.

Speaking to gambling.com, Miller said: "Jimmy Thelin's done a fantastic job. Last season was disappointing. They didn’t make Europe and they were fighting down at the bottom end of the league.

"So to transform it and turn it around like it has - has been phenomenal. There’s been full houses at Pittodrie and it's great to see for the city of Aberdeen.

"They’re really getting behind the manager and the team. They've got a really good squad to continue their good form, and I think they will split the Old Firm. I don't think they'll win the league, but I think they will finish second."

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On whether the Dons have the better squad than Rangers, Miller added: "I don't know if I’d use the word ‘better’. The two of them [Aberdeen and Rangers’ squads] are kind of close.

"I would say there's a lot of games for Rangers with the Europa League, and that will take its toll on them over the course of the season.

"Aberdeen don't have that distraction and they can concentrate in the league. I think they'll go from strength to strength."

It's the stark turnaround from last season that has caught the eyes of pundits and past players, with Aberdeen going from a close call with the bottom end of the Premiership to the near summit in mere months.

And Miller believes the change in his former club is all down to Thelin and the approach of the Swedish manager.

"There's a real belief at Aberdeen. It comes from Jimmy Thelin, and the way he handles the media and the press," Miller added. "I think he's got a clear message to his players: don't fear anybody, we play the way we play.

"There's a real organisation about them and they've got some really exciting players going forward. They're also steady at the back, so it's a really good recipe and everybody seems to be pulling the right direction. It's good to see."

Under Thelin, the Dons have gained more attention than previous seasons for their astonishing start and their form which has seen the Pittodrie club match Celtic stride for stride before their slip-up at St Mirren.

And with a recent report having claimed Wolves were interested in the Swede, Miller is wary he could well be on the end of plenty more links with moves away as he hoped to see Thelin stay well beyond the end of the season.

Asked if he fears Thelin could be poached before the end of the season, he added: "The better you do, the more people are going to look at you, that's just the nature of the beast.

"But Thelin has got a plan in place, and he is a builder in terms of building a squad as a unit. Hopefully he can see out this season and even further."

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Having enjoyed a European run under former boss Barry Robson before missing out last season, the Red Army is craving a return to the continental stage.

That dream feels more than achievable under Thelin, and Miller believes it's where his old club belongs and he is confident the Reds are on the right track.

Miller added: "I think it is a club that demands European football. Knowing the fan base, they expect their team to win the league every year. That's a tall order, but they should be getting European football and being a top-six side.

"They're a massive club, their history goes before themselves. It’s not just that the fans have high expectations, but the players, management and staff will put those demands on themselves as well. I think they're doing a good job so far."