Jimmy Thelin says Aberdeen must move on quickly from Celtic thrashing ahead of Dundee visit

Jimmy Thelin has told his Aberdeen players they must get last weekend's thrashing at the hands of Celtic out of their systems quickly ahead of Dundee's Premiership visit to Pittodrie.

The Dons exited the Premier Sports Cup in bruising fashion, with the Hoops running out 6-0 winners at Hampden to give Thelin his first defeat as manager.

However, with the unbeaten league run still intact, the Swede is looking for his side to learn from their humbling loss to Celtic and make it 10 wins out of 11 in the top flight.

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Reflecting on their League Cup exit, Thelin told the media: "For me it’s not always easy (getting last weekend out of the system) but that’s a skill you have to work on as a player, staff, coach or manager.

"Of course you have to take learning points and analyse the game but you have to move on. It’s a new game around the corner and you have to put the focus on the right things. That’s the only way to be better is how you improve from these games.

"Now it’s back to the league and another three points to compete for. You have to move on. That is one of the most important things. Even if you win, you have to move on. If you lose you have to move on but always learn from both games.

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"From the game at Hampden we have learnt some bigger things and some smaller things. We’re going to keep somethings for ourselves here but of course in some ways how we defended well in some parts but some parts we failed.

"Also, in our build up when we attack so these small things we have to adjust and that’s what we have focused on this week. That’s the thing with football. As I said before, sometimes the opponent has a really good game and you’re not really at your level and then it can go away like that.

"There is also some mental aspects we’re working on. I don’t think it’s going to have an impact on the game on Saturday. For us it’s more about the long term and we know there are still things for us to learn.

"We need to improve on parts and for us it’s not going to change any preparation for this game, it’s still the same. We prepare the players, they have been in good spirits in the sessions this week, a lot of energy and everybody is looking forward to the game tomorrow."

Thelin confirmed Kevin Nisbet will be in Aberdeen's squad on Saturday evening having suffered no injury setbacks during the week, while Dante Polvara's return will be after the international break.

Nisbet scored last time the Dons faced Dundee, as they ran out 2-1 winners at Dens Park in September, and with Tony Docherty's men riding the high of their late winner against Kilmarnock, Thelin is well aware of the threats they pose.

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He added: "Dundee had a late winner in their last game. They’re strong in what they’re doing. They are good in some directness, how they play but also how they try to arrive to crosses and transitions.

"They have a lot of good things we have to think about. As usual we stay humble and respect the opponent and the coach Docherty. Trust is more about adjusting some things that we have to do.

"We can’t change what they’re doing so we have to focus on ourselves but also know what they’re good at but also where they have weakness. As usual we try to improve some parts and try to play with that energy that Pittodrie gives us when it’s a full house again.

"It’s a late Saturday night game and try to take advantage of all of this spirit and go out and show that we’re there and try to make a really strong performance."

With Pittodrie set for its fourth sellout in a row, Thelin has recognised the commitment of the fans and is hoping to repay their faith with another big result on Saturday evening.

The manager said: "I think it’s more about how we want to build here, the fans are buying into that it’s a long term project. They believe in the journey that we make together.

"We have talked from day one that we need to stay together through good and bad times. The only way to be that team that competes in Europe in the future and season by season is that everybody grows together.

"That showed that the fans stayed at Hampden and that it’s a sell out again. It’s showing the togetherness and we want to grow as a club and are proud of our club and our city. It says a lot that tomorrow is a sell out again."