Jimmy Thelin keeping a lid on Queen’s Park triumph as one Aberdeen star ‘on a journey’ praised

Add as preferred source on Google

Aberdeen progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-final stage with flying colours as they trounced Queen’s Park 4-1 at Pittodrie.

The Dons raced into a 3-0 half-time lead as Kevin Nisbet’s expert finish at the near post – his 10th goal of the season – got the Granite City side in front.

Oday Dabbagh has been compared to Mario Mandzukic in the past and he proved today that he can deliver the goals up front for Aberdeen.

The January transfer window signing netted Aberdeen’s second after some good movement at the back post, before notching his brace in the second-half with a similar close-range finish.

Graeme Shinnie – making his 600th career appearance as a professional – was the man to make it 3-0 before the interval as his long-range strike squeezed into the bottom corner of the net.

Queen’s Park delivered a consolation goal via Zak Rudden but the game was safe well beforehand for the Dons as they join Hearts in the hat for the Scottish Cup draw.

• READ MORE: ‘Unbelievable’ Aberdeen star compared to Aston Villa captain John McGinn

Thelin’s post-match reaction to Aberdeen 4-1 Queen’s Park

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin spoke to the press after the 4-1 win and while he is delighted that his side are still in with a chance of winning a trophy this season, he stressed the importance of their league campaign as well.

As quoted in The Press & Journal, the Swede said: “We are in Hampden and will fight for a final spot and to win something. It is great to have that in the future to look forward to as it is going to be a big game.

“Until then though we have to focus on the league because it is so tight in the table. It was a good result because the last time we played Queen’s Park it was 1-0 with us scoring in the last minute.

“So I’m happy that we could score four goals and be quite stable to deserve that semi-final spot.”

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	29	11	8	10	36	36	0	41

Thelin also praised Palestine striker Dabbagh for his contributions but did point out that he still has things to improve on.

The boss continued: “It is good to see him get the goals. He was in the right spots and kept calmness in the situations.

“He is on a journey but has to do something more in how we defend and the pressing. With how he arrives to the box, we are really happy with that.”

What next for Aberdeen?

As alluded to by Thelin, the Dons need to gather their focus again as they prepare to return to Scottish Premiership action next weekend.

Aberdeen face a rejuvenated St Johnstone side in Perth with ambitions of securing 3rd spot and thus European football come the end of May.

Simo Valakari’s men may be bottom of the league but they are playing much more attractive football and have won five of their last eight games in all competitions.

It’s then the international break before a return to domestic action at the end of March against Michael Wimmer’s Motherwell.

Motherwell have noticeably improved under the German’s supervision and that can’t be emphasised more by the 2-1 win secured against Rangers at Ibrox last weekend.

Aberdeen will subsequently kick-off April with another tough test in the shape of a trip to Dingwall. Ross County have eyes on finishing in the top six and have won three of their last four matches.