How Jimmy Thelin And Aberdeen Can Knock Celtic Out Of The Cup

When I worked at the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Hearts earlier this season, I spoke with their new manager Jimmy Thelin after the game. Jimmy Thelin is a Swedish coach who has completely changed the future of his new team. Can he win the League Cup match between Aberdeen and Celtic?

Aberdeen Vs Celtic: Jimmy Thelin’s Hugely Successful Impact So Far

A Perfect Start to Life at Aberdeen

The Pittodrie supporters have rapidly embraced the idea that they can contend with Celtic for the championship. Why deny them this desire for success after they humiliated Phillippe Clements’ team in the middle of the week to maintain their point standing with high-spending Celtic and increase their advantage over Rangers to nine points after just 10 league games? As of right now, Thelin has had an absolutely incredible impact on the team.

As November approaches, Thelin continues to be Scotland’s season-to-date story.

From Cup Humiliation to Dreaming of the Title

Sir Alex Ferguson Gives Seal of Approval

It’s forty years now since Sir Alex Ferguson led his famous side to league title success and, while most fans were hoping for an improvement in consistency of results, no one in their wildest dreams could have foreseen a start like this. The two met recently with Fergie giving his seal of approval.

As it is with every league, we will all have a much clearer picture at the turn of the year as to how close Thelin’s side can get to Celtic over 38 league games.

This weekend, however, they have a chance of reaching a cup final when they face Celtic at Hampden in the League Cup.

Key Changes to Thelin’s Aberdeen Side

So, how has Thelin transformed this pretty average side from last season in such a short space of time? And remember, they are much improved despite losing their star Macedonian striker Bojan Miovski to La Liga side Girona.

Like all good managers or head coaches, Thelin has improved the players that are already there, none more so than his full-backs.

Full-Backs Making All the Difference

When you examine the opening goal against Rangers in their 2-1 victory, one full back in Jack McKenzie put the ball into the box from the byline. It was met at the far side by his opposite full back, Nicky Devlin, who made the vital breakthrough. Both players have performed consistently well to catch the eye of Scotland’s national team manager Steve Clarke, who had them in his squad for the Nations League clash with Portugal at Hampden last month, with Devlin making his debut. Given that Celtic place a lot of emphasis in the wide areas from their full backs, this will be a fascinating contest to see who comes out on top in the semi-final.

Thelin hasn’t spent a lot in the transfer market since his arrival in the north-east, but goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov has made a quick impact. Perhaps he was a surprise signing from St Johnstone but now that he is building his international career with Bulgaria, he’s proving to be reliable.

Defensive Duo up Against Quality Celtic Strikers

Alongside Slobodan Rubezic, defender Gavin Molloy has been a constant this season after joining from League of Ireland team Shelbourne. The 24-year-old Kyogo, the standout striker for Celtic, will be a threat to both due to his movement. Irish striker Adam Idah’s physical threat will come on to inject some new life into the latter half, regardless of the score at the hour mark. The Aberdeen defence will have a difficult time keeping these two quiet.

Key Midfield Battle

In midfield, Sivert Heltne Nilsen has been in and out of the starting eleven since signing from Brann but will pay close attention to Graeme Shinnie as a holding midfield player. Given that £11 million pound man Arne Engels will likely line up alongside captain Calum McGregor and Reo Hatate for Celtic, this is the area where the game can be won or lost.

If Aberdeen can win enough possession – they didn’t have much in the 2-2 league game a few weeks ago – it’ll give them the best chance of reaching the final.

Having watched them a few times now, the standout signing for me has been Topi Keskinen from HJK Helsinki. At 21, he has the best years ahead of him and with three goals in his ten games for Aberdeen, it’s a promising start to his Aberdeen career. Getting the better of Celtic’s Greg Taylor is a tall order but if fit, the Scotsman should take the place of Barcelona loan signing Alex Valle.

Dreaming of Success After 10-Year Trophy Drought

Celtic won the Scottish Cup semi-final last season on penalties after a thrilling six-goal match that concluded in a 3-3 draw. Celtic is the overwhelming favourite to advance to the final next month at what is their second home in recent years, but there is a growing sense that Aberdeen might not be able to hold out for 38 games in a title quest, especially considering Jimmy Thelin’s influence in such a short period of time. Their best chance of taking home a trophy for the first time since their 2014 League Cup victory is a one-off cup match.

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