Aberdeen need to show lessons have been learned from last season as Hearts will be ‘a different animal’ under Derek McInnes.

Former Don Jim Bett expects more on the road from Jimmy Thelin’s side when the new season begins at Hearts on Monday.

Former Don Jim Bett hopes Aberdeen has learnt their lesson when they begin their Premiership campaign at Hearts on Monday.

Jimmy Thelin’s team travels to Tynecastle to face former Dons manager Derek McInnes’ Jambos in their league opener. Aberdeen struggled on the road last season, winning only five Premiership away games, three of which came in the team’s first three away games.

Their indifferent form on their travels was a major factor in the club finishing fifth in the table after a terrific start to the season.

Bett knows there has to be a big improvement in their away form this term.

He said: “It’s going to be a really hard game down there and Aberdeen have to approach it the right way.

“Their away form wasn’t great last year so it will be interesting to see what has been learned from that. Will the manager change his approach?

“Personally, I think they have to take the game to Hearts.

“They will be very confident and they’ll be trying to impress the new coach as well and the supporters will be expecting a lot from them.

“But if Aberdeen could sneak a win in this one what a start to the season it would be for them.”

‘Everybody will expect Aberdeen to kick on this year’

Aberdeen will play their first competitive match since shocking Celtic to win the Scottish Cup in May. With the trophy returning to Pittodrie for the first time in 35 years, Bett knows that expectations will be high among fans hoping to see their team build on their cup success.

He stated, “Everyone will be expecting Aberdeen to take off this year, and they now have a fairly large squad after bringing in a few players. “With the Scottish Cup behind them, I believe they are looking forward to the new season because they also have Europe, but I believe it will be a very difficult game at Tynecastle.

“Hearts have a new manager in Derek McInnes, and they’ve been scoring plenty of goals in the League Cup group stage.

“Tynecastle is never an easy place to head to but with Celtic to come in the game after the opener Jimmy Thelin will want to make a good start on Monday.”

Important Aberdeen make a strong start

Thelin has been active in the transfer market, assembling a squad capable of handling the added challenge of European competition.

The Dons will learn their Europa League play-off opponents when the draw is made on Monday. Bett believes it is critical that Thelin and his players get off to a strong start in the season before their European commitments begin.

He added: “They’ll be looking forward to Monday as well, with the European draw, and with Europe approaching, it’s critical that the Dons make the most of these early games before adding those big European games into the mix.” “With the club still looking for new faces, I believe all Aberdeen supporters will be optimistic about the upcoming season.

“The manager is putting together a squad there because he is also thinking about Europe.

“He’s trying to get a squad together big enough that he can bring players in and out, but he has to make sure the players that come in have good quality.”

‘Hearts a different animal under McInnes’

Aberdeen went unbeaten in four meetings against the Jambos last season, but the Gorgies have made a strong start in the Premier Sports Cup under their new manager. McInnes has led his team to four consecutive victories, scoring 16 goals and conceding one, as they finished first in their group stage qualifying section.

Bett anticipates a significantly more competitive Hearts team this season.

He stated, “Hearts will be a different animal this season under McInnes.” “He’s a former Aberdeen manager who did an excellent job at Kilmarnock, and his team has started well. “Home fans will expect to start the season with a victory on Monday.

“There will be a full house, but Tynecastle is always a great place to play a game. “It’s a fantastic stadium; it’s compact, and the atmosphere will be unforgettable. It’s one of those games that players should look forward to.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk