Aberdeen head coach Jimmy Thelin has admitted his side must confront uncomfortable truths about attitude, desire and “ego” ahead of a daunting double-header against Rangers this coming week.
The Dons travel to Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday night before hosting Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday - fixtures that arrive at a moment of clear contrast between the two sides.
Fresh from a damaging 1–0 defeat away to Falkirk, Thelin did not shy away from criticising his own players, repeatedly highlighting a lack of collective sacrifice and competitive edge - areas Rangers have thrived in during their recent surge.
“The thing we talk about after a game is that we have some games in a row now where we have too much ego on the pitch,” Thelin said.
“I don’t think we play enough for each other and for our club.”
The Aberdeen manager was blunt in identifying why recent results have turned against his side.
“Sometimes football is strategy, tactics and technique,” he said.
“But the last couple of games we have lost because the opponents have more desire in critical moments.”
That admission will resonate strongly from a Rangers perspective.
Desire, second balls and aggression, the very areas Thelin highlighted, have defined Rangers three most recent performances, particularly in their 3-1 Old Firm victory against Celtic on Saturday.
Thelin acknowledged that moments of adversity have exposed his side.
“When there is a 50–50, or a second-ball situation, when it’s a sacrifice to score or defend a goal, their opponents right now are better than we are,” he admitted.
“That’s why we’re not winning.”
He also accepted responsibility for tactical missteps but made it clear that system changes alone will not solve deeper issues.
“It’s my responsibility,” Thelin said.
“The first half was not good. In the second half we were more stable, but they scored a goal and we didn’t.”
While Thelin spoke of a “journey” to reduce ego and rebuild mentality, Rangers are already operating at the level Aberdeen are striving to reach.
“That has to change really quickly,” Thelin said, “because we have a really important week in front of us.”
Thelin also addressed supporter frustration, acknowledging that fans expect visible commitment regardless of results.
“They have to feel like you give everything,” he said.
“That you almost can’t walk off the pitch.”
That expectation will be non-negotiable at Ibrox, where Rangers have shown little mercy to domestic sides arriving without intensity or cohesion.
Asked directly about facing Rangers twice in quick succession, Thelin was clear-eyed about the challenge.
“They’re doing well now,” he said.
“We have to focus on ourselves again.”
He framed the fixtures as an opportunity - but also a test his side must pass through attitude rather than tactics.
“The foundation is always the desire and competitive side of the game,” Thelin concluded.