Jimmy Thelin delivers firm Aberdeen fan message over Duk as he tells them what is really 'the most important thing'

Jimmy Thelin has assured the Red Army that returning Duk is committed to Aberdeen and is giving 100 per cent in training.

The Dons manager revealed that he held talks with the AWOL striker before he apologised and returned to join his first-team squad at Cormack Park. Some elements of the Aberdeen support might not forgive him or question the reasons for Duk's return but Thelin has been pleased with the Cape Verde international’s reaction. Thelin said before the Premiership clash with Motherwell: “I don't know if forgive is the right word, but I think we are all Aberdeen supporters and we want the best for the club. He’s one of our players who's going to wear the shirt and the most important thing is he gives 100 per cent. So far I can tell everyone he's giving everything he can on the training session, so that's where we are right now."

Duk has returned after trying to force a move in the summer window. It was an unwanted headache that Thelin inherited when he stepped into the Pittodrie hot seat. The Swede reckons everyone deserves a second chance. He added: “The most important thing for me now is that he’s here. You can't change the past.

“Now we have to be optimistic about the situation and give everything in the training. I think all of us have made mistakes in our lives and it doesn't mean you're a bad person. You can still be a good person.

“I think that's the way we have to think to help people. Sometimes when they lose a bit of direction, you get them back and give them another chance and try to grow from there.

“So that's my philosophy. He's here to compete as everybody else. He’s in good shape, he’s fit, but then it's also the football conditioning and the timing with the teammates. He's going to take some