Defiant Jimmy Thelin urges annihilated Aberdeen stars not to hide after Celtic cuffing as he eyes top spot again

Defiant Jimmy Thelin has urged Aberdeen not to hide after their Hampden horror.

The Pittodrie boss is adamant heads must stay high as the group moves on from their nightmare against Celtic. Thelin’s team return to action on Saturday with a Granite City game against Dundee. Victory would move Aberdeen three points clear of the champions at the top of the Premiership before Brendan Rodgers' men tackle their Rugby Park encounter with Kilmarnock the following day.

Thelin says his Dons simply have to wipe away the anguish of the National Stadium pain and get straight back into their rhythm. Aberdeen had been unbeaten in 16 games this season prior to the heavy Premier Sports Cup semi-final loss and the Swede insists they have to recover impressively and quickly.

Thelin explained: “I think it’s important we don’t hide and keep our heads high. We have to move on together. We have a strong belief in our identity and what we want to achieve for this club.

“The belief for the future is there and that’s what we have to focus on. Sometimes you get strong setbacks in life and in football, but the most important thing is what you do the next day to move on. We will learn from it. Myself, my staff and the players will learn, we will take it onto the training pitch.”

Thelin’s team were given a harsh experience at the hands of Rodgers’ side just three days after the Dons had dumped Rangers. Despite the harrowing nature of the loss, the majority of the Reds supporters stuck by their team until the bitter end in a show of unity.

Thelin was delighted with that and says it offers the perfect example of why his team have to get straight back into their groove. The boss is convinced the lessons learned at Hampden can also be valuable for the