Aberdeen ‘can split’ Celtic and Rangers but caveat added

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Aberdeen have been told they are capable of splitting Celtic and Rangers – particularly if they can beat the latter this month.

Jimmy Thelin has enjoyed a sparkling start to life at Pittodrie and has won ALL 13 of his competitive fixtures. That includes seven in the league as they sit joint top with Brendan Rodgers’ champions.

Their bandwagon rolled on with a gritty win over Hearts at the weekend despite not being at their best, and it is often said that sort of result is the mark of a successful team.

Some pundits had suggested the Dons were yet to be properly tested after their stunning start but they certainly came through one at the weekend and will face more in the coming month, with both halves of the Old Firm and Dundee United on their fixture list.

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Tam McManus says Aberdeen can split Old Firm

A debate which pops up from time to time is whether the likes of the Pittodrie men, Hearts or Hibs can mount a challenge to the big two when they hit form like this. In recent times, the answer has always been no.

But it is being raised again with Aberdeen in such rampant form and Rangers perhaps looking unconvincing. Tam McManus reckons a second place finish could well be on the cards for Thelin and his men.

Asked that question, he told PLZ Soccer: “Yeah, I think they’ve got some tough games coming up. I think they’ve got Dundee United who are doing particularly well at the minute.

“I look at this Rangers team and think it’s a team and club that are in transition. I don’t think Aberdeen will maybe get a better opportunity in the future to finish above Rangers.

“They’ve got points on the board and confidence is high but that game at Pittodrie is huge. If they can win that and go right points ahead of Rangers that’s a big, big gap and then you can go and split the Old Firm.

“But I think November 1 is the time to say ‘will Aberdeen split the Old Firm?’ Because they’ve got a tough month coming up.”

The Dons’ fixtures

After the international break, Aberdeen are back with a bang with a trip to face the other side with a 100 per cent record, Celtic.

It is a tough run thereafter with the in-form Tangerines , just five points behind them, coming to Pittodrie and Rangers then the visitors a few days after that.

The comes a League Cup semi-final against the Hoops with a return to league business against Dundee after that.