Celtic v Aberdeen – We have what it takes to beat Celtic, says Jimmy Thelin

Jimmy Thelin believes that his players have what it takes to end Brendan Rodgers’ incredible unbeaten run at Hampden Park this evening…

It is the Swede’s first trip to the national stadium, and the Dons could not be heading into the semi-final encounter with the Scottish champions in any better form. Winning 15 from 16 matches since his arrival from Elfsborg in the summer, Jimmy Thelin has put Aberdeen back on the map after a few tortuous seasons in the top-flight.

Thelin has never won a top-flight trophy

Despite his impressive credentials as a coach in Sweden at Jönköpings Södra IF, and then Elfsborg, Thelin has never won a top-flight trophy, nor has he won a semi-final in his managerial career. Defeated on two occasions in the Svesnka Cup at the semi-final stage, the Dons boss will be looking to make it third time lucky at Hampden Park against Brendan Rodgers side tonight.

However, his team will have to overcome a Celtic squad who are flying-high at the top of the Premiership table, and coping well in this season’s new Champions League format. Brendan Rodgers will also be seeking revenge following Aberdeen’s revival in Glasgow’s East End a fortnight ago.

Jimmy Thelin is confident

Acknowledging the task that lies ahead of his team, Jimmy Thelin is confident that Celtic’s domestic dominance can be toppled.

“First of all, we need a good performance on Saturday. It’s a semi-final, we know it’s a cup, if you lose you’re out.If you win you go to the final, but the focus should be a good performance and giving everything we have and then let’s see the result.”

“But everybody has to believe that they can do it. Otherwise, it’s unnecessary to play the game. So we have a strong belief that we know it’s going to be a tough game. We have to go 100 per cent in with a strong belief we can make it.”

Ten years since Aberdeen lifted silverware 

10 years have come and gone since Aberdeen’s last trophy triumph which came against Inverness in front of 51,000 at Celtic Park in the 2014 Scottish League Cup final. Bringing some glory back to the Granite City is something that Thelin is focused on achieving.

“Yeah, I think it’s [winning]for everyone that’s working there everybody wants to win something, but the nicest thing is to see how the players grow, how we create a strong team spirit and how we can try to build this capacity that we can give us a chance of winning.”

“Sometimes you can have a really good performance, but you miss with a touch or whatever, but to see and create this togetherness and the spirit that we can give us a chance to do this kind of thing is what I want.”

Conor Spence