Jimmy Thelin has no Europa League regrets as Aberdeen boss targets big stage after Elfsborg miss

Jimmy Thelin could have been challenging himself in the Europa League group stages but instead is trying to lead on-form Aberdeen to that particular Holy Grail.

He guided Elfsborg into European competition before he made his summer switch to Pittodrie. His former side has qualified for the Europa League and have the glitz and glamour of a visit from AS Roma on Thursday night. Elfsborg lost out to AZ Alkmaar on matchday one but also has upcoming games away to Galatasaray, Atletico Bilbao and Tottenham Hotspur, along with home clashes against Braga, Qarabag and Nice.

Thelin has insisted he has no regrets about missing out on that Europa League experience. It perhaps has been couched by the start his red-hot Aberdeen squad has made to the new season, winning all 12 of their opening games. He insisted: “I don’t think about what I am missing. I am so happy to be here. I take this challenge but I think it is important to be consistent to play in Europe.

“It is important for the club, supporters and it is really important for the players to cope with that tempo of the games and every week use our mentality to challenge yourself to grow. That is where you want to be (Europe), on that level to feel good. Everybody learns from that and grows.

“We get better and better in that environment. It is better for Aberdeen in the future to be there again. We have been there and we have to look forward to it again.”

Aberdeen made the group stage of the Europa Conference League last season under Barry Robson but the team struggled trying to balance the demands of that and domestic matters. Hearts are also experiencing something similar this season and head coach Stevie Naismith has already lost his job.

The Jambos are the latest visitors