Jimmy Thelin has revealed that Slobodan Rubezic is over some small issues and is part of his Aberdeen squad that has travelled to Edinburgh for the clash with Hibs.
The Montenegrin international came under the microscope after he asked to be substituted 40 minutes into last week’s 3-0 defeat to St Mirren after making errors for the Buddies’ first two goals. Rubezic was involved in the opening two goals and started to get booed before he was eventually replaced. Thelin has revealed there were small issues and Rubezic was unable to train at the start of the week but is now back to full fitness and available for selection.
The Aberdeen manager explained: “He had some small issues. He had some tension, but now he’s in the squad again. He didn’t train the first training session after the game, but he has trained the late part of the week and he’s in the squad for tomorrow.”
Rubezic had a difficult afternoon last weekend but Thelin confirmed he and his team-mates have got round the defender. Thelin said: “He’s a human being, but he’s a good professional player and he has a lot of energy today. He was really sharp in the training session. It can happen to everyone. Sometimes you need a little bit of that in management. Sometimes it’s more about the specific football. Sometimes it can be something outside of football. We have a good relationship and we support our players.”
He acknowledged: “No, but we always support our players. Football game is a game of emotions. Everybody knows that. There are a lot of emotions out there, but we always support our players as a footballer and as a person. We are still in this together, everyone, and the fans have been really great for us and we keep moving.”
Aberdeen haven’t won in 13 games in the league and Thelin is looking to put that right at Easter Road. He said: “Yes, I think it’s always when you have challenging times you get a lot of advice.
“That’s understandable because everybody cares. That’s not a bad thing but in our room we know how the players feel. We know what we need to improve. We can’t tell absolutely everything but I think people care so much.
“We need to understand why things are happening and how we can change it. Of course, when you have an idea, you can always adjust small things. You don’t need to change everything.
“Then we confuse the players and we confuse the recruitment team and we disconnect with the youth department because we need to find a way how we want to work in the future. It has to be aligned, everything.
“But then in the games, the short-term, how can we protect this weakness? How can we strengthen this part better?
“With small adjustments without changing totally everything. Still we are trying to improve every part of our process to be better but also be aware of the short term situation we are in right now.”
Aberdeen are still looking to do business before the close of the window on Monday. Thelin said: “The market is there and we are trying to achieve some parts but also have a strong belief in the players we have.
“Some players have been a bit out of performance but we have to bring them back so we can be more stable together. Some players are taking small steps in the right direction so let’s see. We have some specific targets and maybe we will find them but we are always trying to improve the team in training and improvement.”