The unmentionable Jimmy Thelin refuses to say in public as insider reveals Aberdeen boss’ real thoughts on title chances

Johan Larsson knows what it's like to go the distance under Jimmy Thelin – and he firmly believes he'll already have told his Aberdeen players they CAN go all the way.

The Dons face Rangers on Wednesday and couldn't be much higher in confidence, yet to taste defeat in Thelin's 15 games in charge. They've matched Celtic blow for blow and even battled back from 2-0 down to earn a crucial point at Parkhead, a result that underlined their credentials as a force to be taken seriously in the eyes of most.

Downing Rangers at Pittodrie would be another big step in that direction and, publicly at least, Thelin has been keen to play it down and keep the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Glasgow's big two. But defender Larsson, a key part of Elfsborg's famous team that dragged Malmo all the way to the final day of the season, has seen this all before.

He told the Scottish Sun: "Jimmy would never, ever let it slip out of the locker room but I am 100 per cent sure he thinks about it. He has probably mentioned it to his players too. Aberdeen look to have that mindset, especially after what they did away from home to Celtic.

"Jimmy's case for moving to Scotland was to do something special. Of course, he wanted to win the title here but he felt it was the end of the road at Elfsborg and had squeezed the lemon as much as he could.

"He wanted a similar task to take on and Aberdeen for him was the best chance to do that. The expectations are not sky high and nobody expects a league title. But the history, from the good old days with Sir Alex Ferguson, shows what is possible there.

"His feeling when he took on the Aberdeen challenge would have been to do the same thing as he did at Elfsborg and do something there that hasn't been done