Jimmy Thelin has vowed to keep his usual game-plan for Celtic in their top-of-the-table clash as Aberdeen kept their 100 per cent record with a late 3-2 win over Hearts.
Ante Palaversa’s late goal the sunk bottom dogs in a thriller at Pittodrie. It means Aberdeen and Celtic are locked first and second in the Premiership, each on maximum points after Brendan Rodgers’ side fought back at Dingwall to go head-to-head at Celtic Park after the international break.
Thelin said: “Celtic are good, but we have to prepare ourselves and we usually respect every opponent and of course you see how they play at home and these kinds of things. But we have to prepare ourselves and try to have a really good performance and get a good result. So we don’t change our preparations or the way we work and then we’re going to reload and prepare for that game.
“Yeah, I’m going to focus on that a little bit further down the line, but now today. Like I told you, we’re going to relax today and then we’re going to prepare ourselves for this game.”
Thelin made it 13 wins in all competitions. They have won six games in the cup and seven in the Premiership. It is the best start for any new manager, surpassing Martin O’Neill’s previous record. If Aberdeen could win that game it would match Derek McInnes’ winning Premiership start in 2015.
The Swede, who swapped Elfsborg for Aberdeen in the summer, claims it has even been beyond his expectations. He claimed: “Yeah, of course, you don’t expect that when you arrive at a new club. But we have to enjoy it, but still we have the same focus on game by game and that’s the only way we’re going to work.
“No, it’s teamwork and players’ work and the staff and the whole spirit of the city. So we’re happy for everyone for that, but still we have to keep our feet on the ground and stay humble and work week by week and then every training session.”
He will now give his squad, who are not away on international duty, time off before they look ahead to their trip to Glasgow to take on the champions. Thelin added: “So we’re going to train well and then give some players a little bit of extra time with their families and friends and then come back, hopefully, even better and stronger.”