‘This is the last punch’ – Jimmy Thelin vows Aberdeen side WON’T fear Celtic in Scottish Cup final…

His side have one last chance to make season a success

JIMMY THELIN demanded Aberdeen deal with adversity much better ahead of their Scottish Cup final date with Celtic.

The Dons looked set to clinch fourth spot on Saturday having taken the lead against United at Tannadice.

But a second-half collapse sparked by some woeful defending saw them sink to fifth.

Thelin said: “It’s about how you manage the situations on the pitch in these moments as a team.

“It’s how you control the situation after conceding a goal and don’t let the game slip away.

“Don’t take too much time to get back in the game again.

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“I’m the manager and it’s my job to try and help the players.

“From June, the players have pushed a lot. They have worked really hard on their mindset and trying to get better.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, we have to just do more.

“We’re coming from a really tough season, we had targets to arrive in Europe and be as high as possible in the top six.

“Fifth was the last option but it’s progress.

“We still have more to do. Everybody can see that and we know it.

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“How you cope with the setbacks and tough moments is so important in football.”

Few give Aberdeen much hope of causing an upset in Mount Florida on Saturday in this season’s showpiece.

But Thelin urged his players not to be afraid of favourites Celtic as they aim to bring the trophy back to Pittodrie for the first time since 1990.

Thelin said: “It’s the last game of the season coming up and it’s a huge game.

“Everyone is really disappointed just now, but we had 52 games possible in front us and we’ve played 51. We’ve missed one final.

“We have been involved a lot this season and done really well, but it was not enough.

“We were close to a better position. Now we are in a final and we can’t be afraid of this game.