Manager Jimmy Thelin hosted his first pre-game press conference on Friday lunchtime ahead of our Premier Sports Cup Group A match against Queen of the South on Saturday evening. RedTV subscribers can watch in full by clicking here.

“Dante has been really good in pre-season. We were looking forward to working with him and for us. He injured his hamstring in a training session and he is going to see a specialist on Monday. Right now we’re expecting 14 to 16 weeks but lets see what the next step in the process is so we can say for sure. For us he is an important player, we have talked to him but now it is our job to push him. He is a really nice guy and positive guy. We have to create a feeling about the future and support him in the process so he can come back even stronger.

“So far it is only Dante who is not available the rest of the players are available to be in the squad. In terms of Bojan and Duk lets see about this situation. Duk is not going to be in the squad. Right now we have some internal issues about Duk’s situation. That is all that I can say about that. Bojan is training everyday here so lets see tomorrow’s squad.

“First of all tomorrow is the first competitive game, every game is always important. It is a cup game, we want to bring some success and try to win this game. Everybody has to be really prepared. We have to do our homework and prepare ourselves for the game tomorrow. I feel that the focus is really high. You always have to respect the opponent. You have to give everything that you have. There is going to be supporters from Aberdeen there, supporters are going to watch on TV, we have to give it 100% and give everything otherwise the results are not going to be there for us.

“It’s always important to try to win the games, it’s a cup competition, we want to get through and keep moving there. That is why we need to prepare. We are going to have to take more steps as a team, it will take more to learn and grow. It is still quite early, it is only two and a half weeks that we have trained together. We still need to find a way to win these games and be strong in that, the team spirit and the strength of a team that can use the skills.  Not everything is going to be perfect but still we need to be ready.

“I think you always have to have a balance and a mix inside the squad and in this case I knew the player before (Sivert Heltne Nilsen). I think he will give us some tactical balance on the pitch. He’s good at understanding the game and his teammates better. He’s really, really competitive on the pitch. He will bring strength in how we balance the team. when we’re attacking and defending. His own skills is also to find solutions with the ball and play forward and be really quick when we win the ball back. You always need to share the leadership on the pitch. I think it is going to add more values there. We already have really good leaders on the pitch at Aberdeen but you can never have enough. It’s good to bring his leadership on how we understand the game and to make the other players grow.

“We have brought in four players so far and I think you always have to respect there is a timeline for everyone who is changing environment and new teammates. I think everyone is settling in really well. The players we already had here has guided them and helped them a lot. The team spirit is really, really strong. That makes the journey for these players easier. I am looking forward to seeing them inside the game also.”

In addition to the press conference today, a club spokesperson gave the following update:

“Duk has failed to report to training and is currently absent without permission. The Club has made attempts to communicate with Duk but he has refused to engage with us directly. He is now subject to internal disciplinary proceedings. We’re naturally disappointed with the situation but can’t say anything further at this stage.”