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Mikael Lustig gives honest verdict on whether Aberdeen can split Celtic and Rangers

Celtic legend Mikael Lustig
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Mikael Lustig is thrilled to see Jimmy Thelin get off to the perfect start with Aberdeen.

But the Celtic legend doubts his fellow Swede will be able to split Glasgow's big two this season. Thelin has transformed the mood at Pittodrie by leading the Dons to ten successive wins since arriving from Elfsborg earlier in the summer. His side sit joint-top of the Premiership alongside Celts, five points clear of Rangers and a whopping 14 ahead of Hearts.

Lustig was at Parkhead in 2015 when Aberdeen were last involved in a title challenge as Derek McInnes' side eventually fell short to Ronny Deila's men. Retired Lustig insists he never had any concerns that the Dons would end the campaign as champions and while he hopes they finish second this season, the former defender just can't see it happening.

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He said: "Can Aberdeen split the Glasgow clubs this season? I doubt it. I hope so, but I can't see it happening over the course of a whole season.

"There were some special years when the other team in Glasgow wasn't there. We maybe didn't have the greatest team then either, but I don't think Aberdeen pushed us that closely.

"In the end we won it quite comfortably that season. Jimmy has got off to a great start, though. Getting points early when you join a new club is very important."

Lustig reckons the 46-year-old's modern approach suits Aberdeen perfectly, adding: "His teams like to sit deep, then hit on the counter-attack. Jimmy is a modern manager with a different kind of football, it's not just about hard work and the classic British style. His mentality will suit Aberdeen and what they want to achieve. He will be a good fit there. His teams work very hard and know exactly what they have got to do.

"The atmosphere you get up there will help them too. I spoke to Jonny Hayes about it and he said they had decent games to start their season - but it's all about winning them. It's really good because there are not a lot of Swedish coaches who move abroad at the moment. So it's great to see Jimmy move to Scotland and start so well."