Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin insists Scottish Cup triumph can fuel European campaign.

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin will strengthen his squad further during the summer transfer window in preparation for the Europa League play-offs.

Boss Jimmy Thelin has urged Aberdeen to use their Scottish Cup triumph as fuel for their European campaign.

The Dons won a penalty-shoot out against Celtic in the final at Hampden last month to lift the trophy for the first time since 1990.

Reward for the silverware success is guaranteed European league action until at least late December.

Aberdeen have qualified for the Uefa Europa League play-off with the ties set for August 21 and 28.

If the Dons win the two-legged tie, Thelin’s Scottish Cup heroes will qualify for the Uefa Europa League after eight league games.

If they lose the play-off, the Dons will enter the Uefa Conference League, where they will play six league games. Thelin has already begun bolstering his squad for the Euro campaign, signing four players on permanent contracts.

Thelin closes in on transfer targets

The Reds manager is in advanced talks with further transfer targets for a summer move. Thelin will increase his team for Europe, but he also wants his players to be motivated by the fact that they have won the cup.

He stated, “When you experience something like winning the Scottish Cup, you know and believe that you can win something. “And you must use that in the future.

“You must seize that moment and use it as best you can to move forward. “I believe many of our players grew significantly in the Scottish Cup final. “They now believe they are capable of winning big games and trophies. “That can only help them in the future.” Aberdeen returned to pre-season training this week, and preparations for the new season will continue with an overseas warm-weather camp.

Build up for start of new season

This weekend, Thelin and his team will fly to the Algarve for a 10-day trip. After returning from Portugal, the Reds play a friendly against Cove Rangers away on Saturday, July 12, and Ipswich Town at Pittodrie on Friday, July 25.

Aberdeen begin their Premiership season with an away trip to Hearts on Monday, August 4. They will then face defending league winners Celtic at home before travelling to Dundee United.

The New Firm rivalry is wedged between Aberdeen’s Europa League play-off matches, and the Pittodrie club may postpone the journey to Tannadice. Scottish clubs will be entitled to postpone a league match starting this season in order to prepare for a European play-off round fixture.

Previously, postponements had to be agreed upon by both teams, but today any European team can postpone a game. This season, the adjustment only applies to matches on the weekend of August 23-24. The modification was agreed by the SPFL board after a working committee proposed changing the regulations. In order to prepare for the Euro groups, Thelin has already signed attacker Kusini Yengi, winger Nicolas Milanovic, left defender Emmanuel Gyamfi, and goalkeeper Nick Suman.

The Dons have been linked with a summer move for Swedish under-19 international winger Elias Pihlstron from Allsvenskan club Degerfors. However, it is understood that Pihlstron is not on Aberdeen’s radar.

Balancing Euro and domestic action

Aberdeen competed in the Uefa Conference League in 2023-24, but failed to reconcile European competition with continental responsibilities. Thelin is determined to avoid the same mistake and believes a successful Premiership campaign is essential. Aberdeen finished fifth in the Premiership last season and were scheduled to enter the Uefa Conference League in the second qualifying round.

They got promoted to the Europa League play-offs after winning the Scottish Cup. Thelin stated, “We are in Europe, but the league is also very important.” “We want to qualify for Europe every year, and playing well in the league provides that opportunity.

“It’s necessary to become used to competing in four competitions each season (Europe, Premiership, Scottish Cup, and League Cup). “The goal is to manage these pressures while remaining strong. “The only way to achieve that is to try it. And we can attribute a lot of that to winning the Scottish Cup.”

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