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Jimmy Thelin issues Aberdeen hunger challenge as boss 'excited' for Hampden taste

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Jimmy Thelin has challenged his Aberdeen stars to continue showing the hunger that has helped them to a cup semi-final spot and 11 wins from 11.

The Dons breezed past Spartans in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals this evening thanks to goals from Pape Gueye, Kevin Nisbet, Leighton Clarkson and Ester Sokler. It takes the manager to Hampden for the first time in his career and he admits he's buzzing for a crack at whichever club lies in wait at the national stadium.

His record speaks for itself already at Pittodrie with a maximum points total and he hopes his players can keep it up and always show their desire.

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"It is going to be exciting to play at Hampden," the Swede smiled. "However, the most important thing for me was the last 10 minutes where we were leading 4-0. When we lost the ball everyone was sprinting back to our goal to try to keep that clean sheet.

“There was that hunger and we need to keep that, and also improve on that. They had the energy to keep that hunger on the pitch.

“It is nice to secure the semi-final slot but for now all our energy must be on the next league game. You always have to believe in yourself and we will give our all in the semi-final, but for now all we focus on the league. We should have ambition but we have to focus on being good.”

Thelin added: “Spartans did well as they have an experienced coach and closed down some spaces in the first half. We tried to find different angles and ways to attack them. The goals we scored in the first half and then early in the second half were important to get a more open game.

“So that we don’t get stressed and stick to the rhythms we have.”