Magnanimous in defeat, Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin heaped praise on Celtic who thumped the Dons 6-0 in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final on Saturday…
Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, is seen after slipping over during the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Thelin’s first defeat at Aberdeen
It was Brendan Rodgers who claimed that Celtic had to be on their ‘A game’ to overcome an Aberdeen side who came into Saturday’s teatime kick off unbeaten in 16 matches since Thelin’s arrival to Pittodrie in the summer.
The Hoops will now battle it out against theRangers in the Premier Sports League Cup final on Sunday 15 December where the first piece of silverware of the season is at stake.
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Undoubtedly Celtic’s finest performance of the season, three goals in 11 minutes versus Thelin’s men turned the tide on a relatively quiet first half an hour. The quality of pace and technical ability from Celtic’s front three was too hot to handle for a dazed Dons team who failed to handle the pressurised environment of the occasion.
Aberdeen remain well placed in the league
Despite Aberdeen’s pounding at Hampden on Saturday evening, they still remain in a terrific place in the league. Nine points ahead of theRangers, and level with Celtic at the top of the table, the question will now be of how the Dons react to their first defeat under the Jimmy Thelin regime?
Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic scores during the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
By the time Brendan Rodgers’ side kick off at Rugby Park this Sunday, Aberdeen may well be top of the Scottish Premiership table as they play on Saturday against Dundee at Pittodrie.
Speaking post-match after his team’s 6-0 trouncing from the Scottish champions, Thelin did not make any excuses, lavishing praise on his opposition.
Really strong Celtic
“That’s football sometimes. We feel ready when the game starts but Celtic was really strong today and we have things that we didn’t reach the level today what we want and that’s football sometimes.
“You just go away games and when you end 6-0 of course it’s not nice for anyone. The positive thing today was this togetherness with the supporters when the game was over and they put some energy into the team and the hunger for the next game is the most important thing today.
Daizen Maeda acknowledges the fans while holding the match ball after the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on November 02, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Grow and learn from this game
“I think now we have to move on from this game as the same and I saw the same thing when we win games. Refocus and put how we can grow and learn from this game.”
Fair play to the impressive Swedish coach who has been an extremely refreshing addition to Scottish football. No excuses and called the game as it was. Thelin has proven already he’ll be a success at Pittodrie, who despite getting hammered at Hampden, can absolutely finish best of the rest in the league this season.
Judging by the second semi-final yesterday, the third and fourth placed sides in the Scottish Premiership certainly didn’t look better than Aberdeen.
Conor Spence
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