Aberdeen

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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The question was whether Jimmy Thelin's side could compete with the reigning champions and send a signal that they might be capable of offering a serious title challenge.

On this evidence, the signs are very, very encouraging. There is a long way to go, of course, but Aberdeen fans left Celtic Park euphorically.

The Dons started fairly brightly, but the script looked to be following familiar lines when they went two down. Their response was magnificent.

Thelin talked pre-match about sticking to the identity and style they have been adopting and how the players would react if that was tested and they were put under pressure.

To come from two down was incredible. To have the chances to win it bordered on the unbelievable.

Yes, they rode their luck at times as Celtic frantically searched for a winner, but this was a statement performance and result.

For the doubters that presumed Aberdeen's start might be a fleeting foray to the higher regions of the Premiership, this display lends significant weight to the idea that they have a serious manager with a determination in his squad to succeed.

Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "It was a really emotional game. We said at half-time, we have to calm down a little and come back to our strategy. We needed to find a way and to do that was to be a little more true to ourselves.

"I think we have an amazing squad and team spirit. We have had some late winners this season, showing our never give in mentality. Also, the away support helped us to get this energy.

"These games are important and difficult. They are going to test us in every area of our game. The most important thing is that we stick together inside games and find ways to perform well. I'm happy with that.

"We only focus on the next game. We don't focus on what happened already or the future. We now re-focus our energy for the game against Dundee United at Pittodrie.

"This support, we need it every game. We may have hard times and also good times. Togetherness is the most important thing."

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Jimmy Thelin opts to go unchanged from his side's 3-2 home victory over Hearts two weekends ago.

National team trio Nicky Devlin, Kevin Nisbet and Jack MacKenzie all start for the Dons.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Palma, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Heltne Nilsen, Keskinen, Clarkson, McGrath, Nisbet.

Substitutes: Doohan, Duk, Besuijen, Palaversa, Sokler, Morris, Milne, MacDonald, Ambrose.

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Celtic will make a late decision on Cameron Carter-Vickers after the defender trained on Friday as he looks to shake off a toe injury. Greg Taylor (calf) is the only definite absentee.

Aberdeen are without top goalscorer Pape Habib Gueye (quad) while Dante Polvara has stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury but is not ready.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin addresses the media before his side's trip to Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

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Jimmy Thelin has "nothing to say" about people who suggest Aberdeen are yet to be tested, as his side prepare to face Celtic away from home this weekend.

The Dons have won every game in all competitions this season and are only being kept off top spot in the Scottish Premiership by the goal-scoring record of their opponents this weekend.

Despite the Dons' relentless form, some have suggested they have yet to play a top team this campaign, and that's something manager Thelin has dismissed.

"I have nothing to say about that, I'm only thinking about the game-by-game," he said.

"It's football, football is not easy, every team has strengths and weaknesses and every game is competitive.

"That's what we try to build the team on, and then what other people think, I don't care actually about that."

On the challenge Celtic can pose his side, Thelin added: "I think Celtic's history, what they've achieved so far also this season, it speaks for itself.

"But still, football is football, and tomorrow is a game.

"It's 90 minutes and we have to give everything, I think everybody has to come out as the best they can be, but also that we believe we can show our fans that we believe in what we are doing and stay strong in that and then give everything we have.

"That's the idea we have, and we have a clear game plan. We know of course what Celtic are good at and also try to find some weaknesses and attack them there, but also how we need to defend.

"I think one of the main things tomorrow is how good we are ourselves with the ball."

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Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's top-of-the-table match with Celtic in Glasgow tomorrow.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He says results have been good but "the most important thing is what we can do". He says the best way for Aberdeen to keep improving is "to be true to ourselves".

• Wants his team to "stay humble, respect the opponent" and take everything game-by-game.

• He expects Celtic to "test us in some areas" because of the team they are, but hopes his side can have "momentum ourselves and try to be what we are good at".

• Dismissed title talk, and says it is "too early" to think about the league table.

• One of the main things he wants to focus on against Celtic is "how good we are ourselves with the ball" but says Celtic’s history and start to the season "speak for themselves".

• Despite Celtic's strong start to the season, he said, "football is football and tomorrow is a game. It's 90 minutes and we have to give everything".

• On whether this weekend's game is a big step up for his side, he adds: "We know of course what Celtic are good at and also try to find some weaknesses and attack them there, but also how we need to defend."

• This weekend is "too early" for Dante Polvara who is back in light training.

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It might be far too premature to talk about Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen as title contenders, but this match will be a fascinating marker of their progress after a run of 13 league and cup wins on the spin.

The Dons have failed to beat Celtic in their last 25 attempts, the club's longest run ever without defeating the green and white half of Glasgow.

Their last three trips to Celtic Park have ended 6-0, 5-0, and 4-0. So, a competitive performance, never mind a positive result, would be progress.

Aberdeen's start has been impressive, with Thelin quickly implementing an attractive style while improving players.

But this will be the first game the Swede has faced for which his side are not the favourites, and so will be a test of his ability to adapt his tactics, something he was effective at when in charge of Elfsborg in his homeland.

Plus, some of Aberdeen's numbers - particularly how ruthless they have been in taking chances - could suggest they are over performing relative to their general play.

The club rank seventh in the Premiership for shots on target per game, but top the league when it comes to the rate of shots they get on target ending in goals.

Whereas Celtic are only slightly less efficient but while creating far more opportunities, which is why they have hit 22 goals in just seven games.

Brendan Rodgers' side have only conceded one, as well, in their flawless start.

So this is an altogether different challenge for Thelin's Aberdeen. How they respond will be intriguing, but not defining for the team or manager.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Live commentary from Celtic Park on BBC Sportsound, Radio Scotland, Saturday, from 14:00 BST. Text updates from all Scottish Premiership matches on BBC Sport website & app.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Aberdeen when the Scottish top flight resumes this weekend after the international break.

The Dons' perfect record under manager Jimmy Thelin is on the line at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Here's what you had to say:

Euan: This will be our first test in a game where we are not expected to dictate the play. That's a new dynamic for us. I'm really interested to watch Sivert Nilsen in this environment, he's been a key part to our build up play but will have a lot to do in this fixture I expect. Similarly with Topi Keskinen, I can see him getting a lot of joy on the counter attack.

Eric: There is no real expectation on Aberdeen in this match. We are developing as a team and this is just another step in the process. Celtic's resources are such that no other Scottish team should be able to compete or beat Celtic this season, so we only need to see a strong performance from the Dons in this match and any points would be a huge bonus.

Rob: The results so far have been excellent. We hoped Thelin coming in as manager would give the team a lift but he has rejuvenated the atmosphere and mood around the team. Celtic will be tough and while a win or draw there would be brilliant, the key will be how they respond and learn. A loss cannot affect their attitude against Rangers and Dundee United.

Ally: We are all looking forward to this game! Anyone who has even a slight interest in the Scottish game will be! Our record against Celtic doesn't make good reading. However, this is a different red animal, we have built on a great start to the season, and we are more than ready to stand up to this challenge!

Niall: The Dons should travel to Parkhead with more confidence than they have done for many years. The approach to the match should be no different, accepting the challenge will be the toughest in Thelin's tenure to date. Let's just keep it tight at the back, work hard for each other for the full 90 minutes and when they can, put in drive and intensity going forward.

Ben: If we can take something away from Celtic Park I'll obviously be buzzing, but I won't mind a loss if we do it in a respectable way. You could tell under Barry Robson we were never going to challenge, because when we played Celtic we would consistently ship five or six against them, so I hope to see Thelin change that narrative with a solid performance.

Dick: The run has been great, the manager's understanding of the game is fantastic. Would love to win a cup or finish second or third in the league with a guaranteed shot at a run in Europe again.

Eilidh: We need to go to Celtic Park and not be scared, the momentum has never been better before going down there. Celtic have a great attack which we'll need to defend very well for the full 90 minutes, but the Celtic defence can easily be broken down and that's something we need to really go for. Hope to see Duk come on and cause trouble again

Mike: Great start to the season, need to keep things in perspective though and look to kick on and finish third now, that would be a massive improvement on last season.

Gordon: More long-term control of games in the midfield especially. Too often the other team become dominant for long spells and we can't seem to reassert control. Sooner or later that's going to cost us. I'm not expecting anything from the Celtic game but hopefully not a hammering.

Daniel: I'll be interested to see if Thelin deals with Celtic's high press and if he does anything at the back to cover Slobodan Rubezic and Gavin Molloy against the attacking pace of Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn et al.

Stefan: Celtic drop very few points at home, so it's going to be difficult. We need to do the basics well and transition from back to front quickly with outlets like Kevin Nisbet, Keskinen and Duk getting us up the park. Big game for Ante Palaversa, Graeme Shinnie and Nilsen. Really looking forward to seeing how Thelin approaches this given our significant Celtic scars.

"Aberdeen changed my life," says Girona and North Macedonia striker Bojan Miovski, who does not rule out a return to Pittodrie one day. (Daily Mail), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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• Celtic are unbeaten in 25 meetings with Aberdeen in all competitions (W20 D5) since a 0-1 league defeat in May 2018. It’s the Hoops’ longest ever unbeaten run against the Reds.

• Aberdeen have lost each of their last eight league visits to Celtic Park by an aggregate score of 23-2 since a goalless draw in March 2019 under Derek McInnes. Indeed, the Dons have lost 34 of their last 36 away league games against Celtic (W1 D1).

• Both Celtic and Aberdeen have won all seven of their league matches this season. The last side to win their first eight matches of a Scottish top-flight campaign were Aberdeen in 2015-16, while Celtic last achieved this in 2010-11.

• Celtic have won each of their last 13 home games in all competitions, scoring 47 goals in the process (3.6 per game). The Hoops last won more in a row at Celtic Park from August-December 2019 (15).

• The top two players for goal involvements in the Scottish Premiership this season are Celtic’s Nicolas Kühn (7 – 3 goals, 4 assists) and Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath (6 – 2 goals, 4 assists). For Kühn, he has surpassed both his goal (2) and assist (2) tally in 14 appearances in last season’s competition, while McGrath has recorded 44% of his assists in the Scottish Premiership this term (4/9).

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Ex-Aberdeen striker Lee Miller says Jimmy Thelin has had an "incredible" impact at his former club - and he is predicting it will continue this weekend.

The Dons have won all seven of their league games this season and face their toughest test on Saturday when they travel to face Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers' side will still be favourites for the top-of-the-table clash after also enjoying a perfect winning start to their Premiership campaign.

But Miller, who played at Pittodrie between 2006 and 2010, is predicting his former side will get out of Glasgow with a draw.

"I think it will be a score draw, I'm going for 2-2," he said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think Thelin will tweak it slightly because he's comfortable allowing other teams to have the ball.

"He's been incredible, it's really given the city a lift and you can see the fans backing the team and the manager.

"They're playing good football, but when they're not they're still winning games. That’s the sign of a really good squad."

While fellow BBC Scotland pundit Stephen McGinn feels Celtic will come out on top, the former St Mirren midfielder believes Thelin's record - and approach - in big games when he was Elfsborg manager gives Aberdeen a chance.

"They won't have a lot of the ball," he added. "In some of the big wins with Elfsborg in Sweden, they hardly had any possession.

"They beat Malmo with 19% possession, but the one that got me was they beat AIK Stockholm 6-1 with 32% possession."

Aberdeen travel to Celtic on Saturday for a top-of-the-table Premiership showdown.

With the sides enjoying perfect winning starts in the league, both teams go into the fixture level on 21 points from seven games.

A victory would be a serious statement from Jimmy Thelin and his players, but the Dons are without a win over Celtic in more than six years.

Not since May 2018 have the Pittodrie side beaten the Glasgow club, who were defeated on the final day of the 2017-18 season as the Dons became the first Scottish team to inflict a home loss on Brendan Rodgers' Celtic.

That win also secured second place in the Premiership for the fourth year in a row for Aberdeen, all thanks to Andrew Considine's second-half strike.

Slobodan Rubezic believes "nothing is impossible" as Aberdeen prepare to take on Celtic in Glasgow on Saturday after both won their opening seven Scottish Premiership games. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

And so the acid test arrives. Aberdeen head to Celtic Park with their 100% start to the season on the line but with a real opportunity to make a serious statement.

It is clearly the toughest assignment Scottish football has to offer, and if the Dons were able to snap a 25-game winless sequence against the champions in their own back yard then there will have to be a conversation about just how far this team can go this season.

Firstly, no matter how well or poorly Aberdeen are doing, Celtic are always up for this fixture - and despite the spectre of a crucial Champions League date with Atalanta in Italy just a few days later, it’s unlikely Brendan Rodgers and his players will be taking their eye off the ball.

The Dons’ last win over the green and white side of the city actually came at Parkhead and it came against a Rodgers team, albeit after they had secured the second title of his first tenure.

It also allowed Derek McInnes to seal second spot for a fourth straight season as Pittodrie manager.

That match remains one of just two that Rodgers has lost at home domestically, with the other being Hearts’ success there last December.

The 25 games without a victory is easily the worst in the history of this fixture, the previous record had been 18, while Aberdeen have only kept four clean sheets in the last 119 meetings.

And while those are live records, this is a clean slate for the club when taking on Celtic as Jimmy Thelin looks to take the excitement level in the Granite City to fever pitch.

The Swede doesn’t bare the scars of his predecessors and under Peter Leven, they ran Celtic to within a penalty of beating them at Hampden in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Dons also have plenty pace in their squad and that will be needed at times, plus it would be no surprise to see Ante Palaversa joining Sivert Heltne Nilsen and captain Graeme Shinnie in a beefed up midfield with the intention of not allowing Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels to dictate play.

Regardless of what happens, the progression at Pittodrie right now is there for all to see, and with home games against Dundee Utd and Rangers following this one, it could be quite the fortnight.

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Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has officially announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old's last game took place almost two years ago when he played for the Dons in a 3-1 defeat against St Mirren back in February 2023.

Lewis signed for the Pittodrie side in 2016 and went on to play more than 250 matches for the club.

Aberdeen say the Englishman has been "a fantastic player and ambassador for our club".

With domestic football making its return this weekend, we want to know what you're looking for from your side.

It's been the perfect start for Jimmy Thelin at Aberdeen, with a trip to Celtic to come on Saturday.

Is there anything you want the team to build on if they are to maintain their stunning start?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Nicky Devlin's Scotland debut may have been brief but it was eventful, with the defender making a vital contribution in a hard fought 0-0 draw with Portugal at Hampden.

The Aberdeen right-back replaced Anthony Ralston after 89 minutes at Hampden and soon after his introduction made a great block to keep out a shot from Rafael Leao.

"It is probably a dream come true," said the 30-year-old.

"I understand, probably for millions of people, that’s their dream, and I managed to get on tonight and make mine come true.

"So a proud moment for me and all my family. I was a bit apprehensive in terms of, you don't want to come on and concede a goal late.

"You have to focus on doing your job, do the job the way you’ve been doing it. That’s what got you to this point."

On his crucial intervention to deny the AC Milan winger, Devlin said: "I wasn't sure if I was tucked in too much and maybe that's why he had a wee bit of space.

"But you've got to just fling your body at it.

"For the last two games, the defence, the whole team, have made a lot of blocks, Craig Gordon has made a few big saves.

"So you kind of just want to do your part and hopefully I managed to do that."

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Ex-Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has revealed Steven Gerrard wanted to take him to Rangers but he could not go back on a verbal agreement with the Dons. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.