Aberdeen urged to emulate Celtic success with Jimmy Thelin determined to come out on top in European race
Jimmy Thelin has told his Aberdeen players if they want success in Scottish football then Celtic is the level they have to aspire to.
The Swede got a comeback draw on his last visit to Celtic Park but was on the end of a 6-0 thrashing in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final and then a narrow defeat at Pittodrie. Thelin has told his squad that Brendan Rodgers’ side is the benchmark but they must have belief they can match them. The Swede said: “If you want to grow yourself you have to play against the teams who have been so successful in this league for so many years.
“We want to be better ourselves so we need to take the challenge and then give everything in this game to grow ourselves also. I think you should always when you go into a game you have to believe and send that message to the players. We're going to try now to grow and be better.
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“Every game is unique in one way and we have to do our best to compete for our supporters, ourselves. Then let's see how the game goes.”
Celtic have not won in their last two games against Bayern Munich and Hibs but Thelin isn’t reading anything into that. He stated: “For me it's no difference even if they lost the last game as they're playing at home now.
“They have two away games in a row and they were so close, again by Munich, and then they get this game and they set back. Hibs also did well, but now Celtic play at home and we know it's going to be a challenge for us. But we’re going to be ready for that challenge and give everything we can.”
Thelin is looking to guide Aberdeen into Europe at the first time of asking. He added: “No, I think game by game that's our focus. We don't think about what it's going to take. We know the game will be there, the points will be there, so we have to fight for them game by game and don't think about if or that.
“We have to be in the here and now and don't think too much about the future because every game is going to be tough. It's good that we are in a position where we can be there and fight for this position in the end.
“But still it's a race to do and we have to play and recover and play and recover. That's the only way for us.”
Jack MacKenzie is fit but fellow fullback Nicky Devlin will miss out. The game is also too early for Ester Sokler, Dante Polvara and Jack Milne. Thelin admitted: “It's too early for Nicky, for tomorrow, let's see in the week, but Jack is available and ready.”
