Jimmy Thelin in desperate reaction as Aberdeen let slip nine point lead over Rangers
12/23/2024 08:30 AM
There was a brief moment in the Scottish Premiership season when Rangers fans were being told to fear Aberdeen.
The Dons had kept pace with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and had dumped a stuttering Rangers 2-1 at Pittodrie to open up a nine point gap on the Ibrox side.
But in the weeks since the November international break, Aberdeen's dream to split the Old Firm or even challenge for the title has almost unceremoniously collapsed.
Now, Swedish manager Jimmy Thelin has tried to explain away the situation as Rangers overtake Aberdeen and set their sights on Celtic in 1st.
Rangers overtake Aberdeen and close Celtic gap
If it was a good weekend for any club in Scottish football, it was probably Rangers.
With the SFA having held their hands up and accepted Rangers were robbed of a penalty kick v Celtic at Hampden, it was back to league duties this weekend.
Rangers had to welcome Dundee to Ibrox, a tentative affair that Rangers dominated but made difficult for themselves with the 1-0 scoreline too tight for most bears.
But at Pittodrie, Aberdeen were being humbled 3-1 by lowly Hibs with the Dandies now six games without a win under Swedish manager Jimmy Thelin.
This combination of results mean Rangers have overtaken the Dons and moved into second place, with the Gers boasting a game in hand on Aberdeen to go with their one point lead.
With Celtic then going on to drop points in a 0-0 draw with Dundee United, it's given Rangers fans that dangerous sensation of hope once again this season.
Jimmy Thelin criticises lack of Aberdeen balance
Whilst it's the Scottish Premiership in Ibrox sights, Aberdeen's faint Champions League qualification bid is waning, as many Rangers fans predicted it would.
Jimmy Thelin is new to the ways of Scottish football and the Swede's honeymoon period will likely extend into the rest of the season if Aberdeen can keep the rest of the Premiership at arm's length.
The 46–year-old has been speaking about his side's sudden collapse and insists Aberdeen must stick together if they're to get out of the rut.
"Football is a team sport," Thelin told STV. "You talk about it with the players now after the game and the staff.
"We need to keep working of course. Stay close to each other on the pitch.
"Mistakes will happen inside a game but we can't get so hurt from a mistake.
"And that's a sign we're not balanced enough, we don't cover each other enough.
"Me and my staff we have to keep working together with the players.
"We are always in this together and we have to focus on these parts and improve and prepare for the next game."
