On his birthday, Dons boss Jimmy Thelin met with the media at Cormack Park on Friday afternoon ahead of our trip to St Johnstone on Saturday. RedTV subscribers can watch now.
St Johnstone
“A win would be the best present I could get, So hopefully! But it is going to be a be a difficult away game. We have played them before, and it’s been tight games. We’re expecting that tomorrow also. But we are doing things better and better as a team, so we’re hopeful for the game tomorrow, and we believe in our journey. Simo Valakari is a good coach and has done a good job there, and they change in some parts. They have been on a bit better of run over the last six games. So we have to be sharp tomorrow.”
“They have some clear ideas and the identity the coach wants to implement in the team, and I think they’re doing better and better. They are playing at home, so we have to be sharp and ready for what they want to do, but also believe in our own capacity. The way we want to attack, the way we want to defend, I think, is looking better and better. We’ve had some changes during the season with players in and out and some injuries. But I think the team, the squad, is more connected. We’re trying to build a strong squad because players will miss matches. I think we look more stable and hopefully more consistent now for the rest of the season. We want to be more stable in our games and performances.”
Injury Update
“Kristers is too early for this game. Let’s see in the international break and after that. But for tomorrow, it’s too early for him to come back. Ester is back in the squad.”
Competition inside the squad
“I think it’s important if you want to be a top club performing in this league year by year and also try to go to Europe and be good there – You need a strong squad, and that’s what we’re trying to build here for the short term, but also for the long term. We’re trying to make this process what we want to achieve in the long term, what we have in our mind, how we want to look in the future, but still competing for this season. But also trying to build for the future at the same time. You need this competition inside a squad to be stable over so many games. Sometimes the games come really quickly, and you need this energy, this competition to push the players. I think we are on the right track.”
Kevin Nisbet | Scotland Call Up
“It’s good. I think it also shows that we are a good environment to work in as a player. Players are making progress in their careers. We see some other journeys also this year with the way we want to play, how they get exposed on the pitch, and the responsibility, the intensity. But for me, it’s always about the character and mentality of the player. We can support them, we can try to guide them, but they have to put the effort in, do the work, and push themselves. Also, when they’re not here, how they conduct themselves off the pitch. Everything is connected, and that’s why I’m glad when they get rewarded for the hard work they’re putting in. We’re happy for him, it is good.”
Players playing multiple roles
“Let’s see. We have some players who can play in different positions. It’s a good dynamic to have in the team. We need specific skills for different games or game plans. Sometimes it’s about the build-up or how we cooperate on the sides. It’s good that Graeme can play two positions. He even played number 10 this season. He is experienced, has really good decision-making, and always takes responsibility wherever he plays.”
“I think we have a healthy competition right now. It’s good for everyone to always feel that there’s someone there pushing them to stay sharp. Also, taking care of their careers for the long term. We need this healthy competition, not in a way where they feel, “If I don’t do that, I can play another game,” but still having competition inside the squad so they can keep pushing every year. They shouldn’t get complacent, especially with training and how they compete. They should always grow and get better season by season, no matter their age. Always have this hunger and drive. That’s why it’s good to have healthy competition.”
The Scottish Cup
“In one way, it’s easier because we know the expectations and the targets. We also know we are in the early stage of a long journey, hopefully together. But when you play cup games, when you’re in the Quarter-final, you want to reach the Semi-final, when you’re in the Semi-final, you want to go to the Final. When you’re in the final, you want to win. You have to take it step by step. We can’t look further ahead than that. In the league, we know the race is there, and it’s so tight in the table. We have to focus on the game tomorrow.”
“We’ve had some really tight, exciting games against Hearts. Quite open games. There will be a lot of Aberdeen supporters, so it’s going to be an exciting game to look forward to. A good challenge.”
Shayden Morris
“If you look at Shayden’s journey since he arrived here, the first year, the second year, and now the third season—how he’s growing. He had some setbacks with injuries early on. He had to become more robust to cope with game after game because he’s a really intense, speedy player. He needed to build up his robustness and also grow as a player. If you want to be a top player today, you have to be both an attacker and a defender. You can’t just be one or the other. Every position requires both now. There are so many one-on-one duels on the pitch. The ball moves so fast that you don’t always have time to protect each other. If you look at his statistics, he’s getting into better and better positions because his game understanding is getting better, and he’s positioning himself better on the pitch. He’s contributing more with his qualities—getting assists or goals.”
“Now he’s also learning more about how to defend and cooperate with teammates. You have to be good in individual defending, but also understand how to defend as a team to win games. That’s what it’s all about—putting the best team on the pitch. It’s not always about having the best players, but the best team. That gives you the best chance to win games. I’m happy for him because the way he started the season in pre-season compared to where he is now is a big improvement in his journey. It’s good to see.”
“You have to give players time. They have to push themselves. They have to believe in themselves, and we have to believe in them. Then you see progress. That’s a good feeling.”
