Jimmy Thelin tells Aberdeen to use ‘energy’ of club’s storied trophy history in bid to end silverware drought.

Aberdeen will look to snap an 11-year trophy drought when they face Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup quarterfinals at Pittodrie on Saturday. Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has urged his rebuilt squad to be inspired by the club’s rich trophy-winning past ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal. The Dons will look to end an 11-year trophy drought when they face Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup final eight at Pittodrie on Saturday. The Reds last won trophy in 2014, when they won the League Cup.

However, Aberdeen have a glorious history of trophy success, having won 19 major trophies, including four league titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups.

Thelin: Trophy pedigree is ‘energy’ – but you have to create your own history

Thelin does not want the expectation to emulate previous cup-winning teams to weigh down his team – he wants it to drive them.

He said: “This club has that history and we should use the energy from that and not feel like it is a heavy weight on our shoulders – you have to create your own history and future.

“Everybody here is trying to win some silverware and to be a stable club at the top end of the table.

“That’s what we’re aiming for.

“There’s a hunger and drive in everyone who belongs to this club to try to achieve those goals and win something again.

“That’s what the driver for everything has to be at this club and why we made some decisions.”

Thelin has been revamping the Aberdeen team in a bid to bring silverware success and regular European action back to the club.

Rebuilding squad to bring success

Thelin signed nine of the starting XI from the weekend’s 2-2 Premiership tie with Dundee United. He remarked, “When I first arrived to Aberdeen for an interview, I could feel the city’s passion. “The past is there, which may be heavy for some and motivating for others. “But you can’t carry everything that came before; you must forge a new future to make our own history. “You may leverage the past to help new players learn about Aberdeen.

“It’s a large club with a lot of passion. It’s a professional club with a solid fan base and lofty goals. “We have to try to bring success and there’s no doubt that is driving everyone at the club.” Aberdeen will play Championship Queen’s Park, with a semi-final spot at Hampden on for hands. Thelin has already led the Dons to a semi-final at the national stadium this season.

Aberdeen’s 11-year trophy drought

However, the Reds were hammered 6-0 by Celtic in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park in November. Aberdeen fans haven’t seen a trophy parade down Union Street since March 2014, when the club won the League Cup final against Inverness Caley Thistle. Thelin stated, “People trust us to provide in our time here a battle for cup wins and entry into Europe. “I’ve seen film of many of the incidents on Union Street from the last time Aberdeen won the cup. “It hasn’t been in 11 years, and we need to attempt to put an end to it, but we can’t think about what has happened afterward. “Cup victory is what everyone desires and what we must aim to attain together.

“League games or cup games, you have to put maximum effort into both and be the best you can.” Aberdeen will face Queen’s Park, who have already delivered the biggest shock in Scottish football this season.

The proven threat of Queen’s Park

The second-tier club defeated Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox in the previous round. However, Aberdeen has already faced Queen’s Park in the League Cup’s final 16 this season. Last August, a Topi Keskinen goal in overtime secured a 1-0 victory over the Spiders. Thelin remarked, “The cups are quite popular in Scotland, and I enjoy the overall experience of the competitions here. “Different clubs from various leagues and the emotion that it elicits in the fans. “Of course, it is tough to play against teams other than those in your own league. “It is a way to fight for a trophy and it’s important for me to manage how this team challenges for this trophy.”

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