Thelin was only 12 when the Dons last lifted the famous old trophy in 1990 as they return to Hampden for first time since Celtic hammering
Jimmy Thelin has admitted it is now or never and challenged his Aberdeen squad to take the next step and grab a Scottish Cup final place.
The Dons head to Hampden as favourites, going into their semi-final against Hearts. Aberdeen have hit a bit of form in the Premiership and Thelin has urged his side to go out on the Hampden pitch and believe.
Thelin said: “Yes, you have to believe before the game starts and in the game, otherwise it’s a strange approach to the game. But of course Hearts are a good team and it’s a semi-final.
“We know cup games are always cup games but you have to believe for the whole game.
You saw some incredible changes inside the games yesterday (Man United against Lyon in Europa League).
“Incredible moments happened inside these games, and that’s why you can never give up.
“You have to believe, the whole game and try your best to the last minute of the game.
“That game is nothing about the league table – it’s now or never. So the approach has to be there.”
It was a year ago this week that Aberdeen confirmed Thelin would be incoming as their manager. It hasn’t taken him long to know how desperate the club is to win something. Thelin was just 12 when they last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1990
He confirmed: “Yeah, now you said I was 12 and it is 35 years after that so now I’m thinking I’m starting to get old!
“You have been in some finals before, you have been close to winning the league, and that’s why it’s so difficult.
“It was one year ago I signed, but I’ve lived for nine months now more or less.
“First of all when you arrive inside the club, the spirit and the history, but also when you are here, when the family is here, or you take a walk in the city, or in the park, or even outside Aberdeen, you meet people, and they are so proud of the football club and the city.
“So I think that says everything. To bring a title to Aberdeen Football Club would be a really nice moment, but first we have to do that.”
Thelin and Aberdeen return to Hampden for the first time since they were hammered 6-0 by Celtic in the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup back in November. The Swede admitted that game really stung as his Dons side lost for the first time.
He stated: “Did it hurt? It always does at that moment but even against Rangers or some more games this season, when you’re performing quite well and you’re close to winning, and then get punished sometimes.
“But in this game we were not close. We didn’t perform and they were much better.
“That’s why football is sometimes difficult to explain.
“Even in both Jönköping and Elsborg, or other games I’ve seen, you’re in good form and then suddenly something happens in that game and everything goes against you. Every shot goes in and no-one can really explain exactly why.
“Of course, the opponents are good but usually not the first, second and third shot.
“It happens sometimes and then just to accept it, try to do better next time, learn the points from there and move on.
“I think that’s the most important thing, and don’t get into much doubt, in their heads.”
Thelin knew he had to lift his players and believes he and his squad are heading back to Hampden far stronger.
He claimed: “I think, as a manager or a coach, or even as a player, the responsibility is the next day, to give you the best chance to win the next game.
“You have to move on, otherwise you’re going to also bring in bad energy to the next game and then get stuck in a really bad moment.
“It hurts but who else is going to step forward, or give energy, and this kind of thing? That’s part of this business.”
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