Jimmy Thelin offers Aberdeen defence but makes ‘job to do’ admission

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Aberdeen will expect to end their 12-game winless run when they face Elgin City in the Scottish Cup this weekend.

But victory over the League Two side won’t automatically mean everything is rosy once again.

The Dons were a breath of fresh air to start the season as they embarked on a phenomenal unbeaten run but they now can’t buy a win and have looked toothless on the current run.

It was a difficult night again as they lost to Rangers, going down 3-0 but in truth the scoreline could have been greater.

Kris Boyd slaughtered Aberdeen post-match and insists there must now be scrutiny on the manager amid some “embarrassing” performances.

Jimmy Thelin probably has credit in the bank from at least some of the support and the board, but that can all change if the form doesn’t.

The man himself gave his reaction to the latest defeat last night.

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Thelin on Aberdeen’s loss to Rangers

The Swede admits his side shot themselves in the foot again with too many mistakes and playing into Rangers’ hands.

But he offered a defence of his players, crediting them with staying in the game until the very end before conceding two goals in stoppage time.

He now wants the team to forget about their current run and focus on the task in hand.

Thelin said: “We gave away too many transitions and played to their strengths.

“We still have a job to do to find this rhythm and find a way back and find the results soon.

“We stayed in the game until the end. The players tried and ran until the last minute.

“We still didn’t get that chance that we needed to get the point.

“It’s difficult sometimes when you think about the run, but we focus on the long term and believe in what we are doing. We have some challenges right now but there is still belief that we can find a way out of this.”

What Kris Boyd has said about Aberdeen

“This run is now getting to the stage now where you are going to ask some serious questions. You look at Barry Robson,” Boyd told Sky Sports. 

“He won four out of 14 and lost his job. This is no wins in 12 now for Jimmy Thelin and because you started the season really well.

“There might be an acceptance for the Aberdeen fans to sit and clap their team off but that was embarrassing. You come down here, it is a big game and you want to fly into tackles. Aberdeen were so passive.

“I am not just saying that tonight. It was the exact same on Sunday against Hearts. There is a lack of intensity about this Aberdeen team.

“That was one thing at the start of the season. Teams struggled to deal with them because of intensity. They were winning second balls and didn’t allow teams settle.

“I don’t know what is going on but there is something not right at Aberdeen right now. They look so passive and you can say about confidence, I get it, but confidence doesn’t stop you running about.”