Kevin Nisbet hitting Aberdeen 'standards' as Jimmy Thelin looks beyond the goals and names 4 standout traits

Jimmy Thelin knows how important it is for Aberdeen’s ambitions to have Kevin Nisbet back on the goal trail.

The Scotland international has now netted in his last two games and looks to be hitting form at the right time for Thelin’s revitalised Dons. Nisbet’s had an indifferent spell at Pittodrie and his early form saw him win an international recall but then injury and lack of game time curtailed him.

The on-loan Millwall frontman scored in the win over Dundee and the Scottish Cup victory against Dunfermline and his manager knows he brings so much more to the team. Thelin said: “You saw his smile when he scored the goal (against Dunfermline) and always as a striker or a winger or a No.10, it’s important to score goals, everybody knows that. So it was a nice feeling for him but also for us, of course. But for me, to see his effort every week now. How he gets sharper and sharper and more power in the legs. He’s growing every week to get stronger and give more to the team, so I’m happy for him and that is important for us.”

Thelin believes the 27-year-old is now hitting form and it’s no coincidence, as he’s just finished back-to-back 90 minutes – his previous full game was more than 18 months ago.

The Aberdeen boss said: “If you look at more than just the goals he has scored in recent weeks, how he has run for the team, how he has pressed. There has also been some transitions and he has been really strong in behind.

“Also, when we lost the ball, he was running behind Topi (Keskinen) and Pape (Gueye) and doing some really good defensive work. So that’s the standards we’re searching for, for everyone, to be a strong team, to be more stable. That’s why I’m happy also when we really put the effort in and Kevin has got the