Aberdeen legend rubbishes 'daft' claim that Thelin's Dons have not been tested amid flawless start

Former Aberdeen hero Duncan Shearer has blasted claims that his old club are yet to be tested this season as "daft" after the Dons extended their remarkable winning run to 12 consecutive matches.

New Pittodrie boss Jimmy Thelin has got off to a flying start in the Granite City and his Dons team sit second to Premiership leaders Celtic by virtue of goal difference having won all six of their league matches so far, the most recent of which came in a 2-1 away victory over Dundee on Saturday. The Swedish coach has also led the Reds into the last four of the Premier Sports Cup, where they will face Brendan Rodgers' Hoops at Hampden on November 2.

Aberdeen are yet to come up against Celtic, Rangers, Hibs or Hearts this season; leaving some punters and pundits alike hinting that Thelin is yet to be given a serious challenge in his tenure so far. But ex Dons goal machine Shearer - who plundered 78 goals in 194 matches for the club between 1992 and 1997 - vehemently refutes those claims and argues that Thelin's side came through a really tough fixture at Dens Park over the weekend.

Writing in his column for The Press and Journal, he said: "It is ridiculous to suggest Aberdeen are not being tested after the Dons made it 12 wins in a row at Dundee on Saturday. You could maybe say that after five or six wins on the spin – but 12 straight wins and equalling Martin O’Neill’s 12-game winning start at Celtic manager in 2000? No chance.

"Aberdeen were tested on Saturday by a very good Dundee side, but came through the challenge to win 2-1. In doing so they became the first away team to win at Dens since May 4.

"Prior to that they were tested in Perth as St Johnstone threatened a late rally on the opening day of the season. They then had