Jimmy Thelin’s lessons as Aberdeen schooled at Celtic Park | OneFootball

Jimmy Thelin gave his assessment of Celtic’s 5-1 rout over Aberdeen in Glasgow’s east end on Tuesday evening….

A minutes applause for the passing of former Celtic player Evan Williams during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Aberdeen FC at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025 (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

The Dons suffered their 11th league defeat of the season but remain third in the Scottish Premiership table ahead of a huge game on Sunday at Pittodrie against Dundee United.

Aberdeen passed up two great chances to open the scoring

Passing up two big chances in the first half through Oday Dabbagh and Kevin Nisbet, Thelin may feel aggrieved by the fact his side did not take the lead in the match.

Goals for the hosts courtesy of Daizen Maeda, Jota, Callum McGregor and Yang Hyun-jun sealed a convincing result for Celtic in the end who maintained their significant 13 point lead at the foot of the table.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Pihoto by Mark Runnacles)

Speaking to Aberdeen TV post-match Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin gave his verdict on proceedings. He said: “It becomes 5-1, but I think the chances that we create in the first half is good. It’s a difficult away game and we create these chances. But we need to score some of these chances to come away from here with points.”

‘Some of the goals they score were good’

“Of course, some of the goals they score were good but also a bit too soft from our side. So, you feel like you’re doing quite a good performance but it’s still 3-0 when you go in at half-time. Then going out for the second half is difficult.”

“When they can play and we try to chance, then we open up and they can control the game really well.”

‘We still have things we have to improve’

“I think we are going to get some learning points from this game. We are trying to be true to our identity and go out to be better as a team and test ourselves. I think we done some really good things in the first half, but it’s still 3-0. That’s the five per cent in some areas that’s making the difference over a game or over the season.”

“So, we still have things we have to improve. We have to learn from this game and then we have to focus on the next game on Sunday.”

Celtic s Jota scores and celebrates his goal with Arne Engels during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025 . Picture by Mark Runnacles Celtic v Aberdeen

“If you compare it to their goals, it’s like distinct and clear”

Thelin added: “First of all, the chances that we created is good chances. Even in the second half we get some opportunities, but they don’t get the shot, we hesitate or not the strong belief we need in this areas.”

“So, if you compare it to their goals, it’s like distinct and clear. That’s what we need ourselves to do more. To create these chances away in a tough game is not easy but we did it today, we just don’t get anything out of it.”

Yang Hyun-Jun celebrates scoring a goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025 . Picture by Mark Runnacles

‘We have the ball, we lose it, then it ends up in our goal’

“Then the balance for the second goal, we have the ball, we lose it, then it ends up in our goal. It’s a big thing decision making in these areas and I know the players will develop and they will learn from this game.”

“I have a strong belief that we are going to get better and now we need to focus on the next game at home.”

Conor Spence

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