Kris Boyd spots key Aberdeen and Rangers difference this season as he issues Jimmy Thelin prediction

Kris Boyd is certain Aberdeen's impressive start will spike interest in Jimmy Thelin from clubs elsewhere as the former Rangers striker declared the Dons well ahead of his old side.

The pundit tore into Gers after their 2-1 defeat to Thelin's side at Pittodrie, and this weekend's scores leave the Dons eight points clear of their rivals in second despite suffering a first league defeat of the season.

St Mirren stunned Aberdeen at a snowy SMiSA Stadium, but Rangers could only manage a draw at home against Dundee United as Celtic's 4-1 win away at Hearts pulled the title holders three clear at the Premiership summit.

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For Boyd though, he has been thoroughly impressed by Aberdeen who have 10 wins from 12 outings in the top flight as he pointed out a noticeable difference that has put the Dons clear of Rangers this season.

The Sky Sports pundit told gambling.com: "Aberdeen have got off to a fantastic start, and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Jimmy Thelin has come in and been able to kick on from where Peter Leven had left them last year.

"Towards the end of last season, Aberdeen were in a good place. They had managed to pick up a few results. And then with a new manager coming in, there was a feel-good factor around the training ground and club in pre-season. And they've been able to kick on from there.

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"When you go back to the League Cup group stages, I don't think Aberdeen were fantastic in them, but they came out with victories. That was a building block and that togetherness has been able to go on from there. They have been on a terrific run and shown great character.

"Going to Celtic Park and coming back from 2-0 down to get a 2-2 draw, it was a huge result. Then beating Rangers when they came up to Aberdeen as well. They got battered in that League Cup semi-final against Celtic, there's no getting away from it.

"But then you’ve got to look at the response from Aberdeen. And the response against Dundee was very good to bounce back winning 4-1. I think Aberdeen have got characters in there. They've got a manager who has got the team playing together. And that togetherness is getting them results.

"Looking at it right now, I don't see the same at Rangers. Rangers are hoping for a lot of individuals to come up and make things happen. Václav Černý has shown some glimpses of that on the right-hand side, and Nedim Bajrami on the left-hand side. Cyriel Dessers has scored a few goals. But it doesn't seem to have the same collectiveness as Aberdeen."

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Thelin's early success has steered the Dons up the table and kept them hot on the heels of the title holders, despite Saturday's results giving Celtic a three-point cushion.

But it has been nothing short of a remarkable turnaround at Pittodrie, from a side lingering near the relegation battle at the start of the year to closing in on 2025 well in the fight at the top.

Boyd however questioned if Thelin's heroics could soon generate interest from clubs elsewhere, with the Swede tied to the Dons in a three-year deal.

On whether Aberdeen’s success will inevitably lead to interest in Thelin, Boyd added: "There were obviously links from Wolves a few weeks ago. And no disrespect to Aberdeen, but if a smaller club is doing really well, and he’s got aspirations to go on and become like a top manager, which I'm sure Jimmy Thelin has, then it might be something that he'll look at.

"Let's not get away from it. It's not as if he's got any loyalty to Aberdeen. They've given him an opportunity, but that's because of how well he's done elsewhere. So if a bigger job comes along, then I'm sure he would take it.

"But I think right now for him, he's fully focused on what he needs to do at Aberdeen. As long as that continues, then he'll do the best he possibly can. You can't help but admire what he's done so far. It's been excellent."