Aberdeen Manager Jimmy Thelin Vows to Maintain Team’s Identity and Belief After 6-0 Drubbing by Celtic
Aberdeen’s impressive 16-game unbeaten run under Jimmy Thelin came to a crushing end as Celtic thrashed them 6-0 in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden. Despite the humiliating defeat, Thelin remains defiant, insisting that his team will not lose their self-belief or identity.
Thelin’s assessment of the match was brutally honest, acknowledging Celtic’s superiority. “We can take learning points from this game,” he said. “Sometimes in football, it can be like this, when things start going wrong, they go wrong really quickly. We didn’t find a way back, and the game slipped away from us due to their quality.”
Celtic’s relentless pressure yielded three goals in 11 minutes, courtesy of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Daizen Maeda. Maeda’s brace and Nicolas Kuhn’s strike sealed Aberdeen’s fate, extending their winless run against Celtic at Hampden to 10 games.
Thelin recognizes the significance of overcoming Celtic in major matches. “We want to be in this situation, in important games and in Europe, and be strong in the league. We want to cope with this intensity, so that’s what we will have to improve on.”
The Swede emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. “The most important thing for us now is how we react when we have setbacks. How we react tomorrow. How we prepare for the next game, how we keep strength and identity, and don’t lose the belief.”
In the dressing room, Thelin urged his players to maintain unity. “When you are winning, things can be easy, but when you have tough times, the most important thing is how you react to that situation. I talked to them after the game about how we support each other, as the whole staff, the players.”
Thelin refused to cite fatigue as an excuse, despite fielding the same starting XI that defeated Rangers 2-1 just four days prior. “I don’t want to use excuses. We have to get used to this environment, and the only way to do that is to be there. Now we have to try again.”
Aberdeen’s unbeaten Premiership record remains intact, with the Dons level on points with Celtic at the top of the table. Thelin’s focus shifts to the next match, where his team’s resolve will be tested.
Key Takeaways:
- Aberdeen’s 16-game unbeaten run under Jimmy Thelin ended with a 6-0 defeat to Celtic.
- Thelin vows to maintain the team’s identity and belief despite the humiliating loss.
- Celtic’s superiority was evident, with three goals in 11 minutes sealing Aberdeen’s fate.
- Thelin recognizes the importance of overcoming Celtic in major matches.
- Aberdeen’s unbeaten Premiership record remains intact, with the Dons level on points with Celtic.