'He looks really good': Devlin thrilled ‘bubbly’ Duk back in Aberdeen fold

Aberdeen right-back Nicky Devlin was delighted to see Duk return as his usual self – but in better shape than he was previously.

The former Benfica player is back among the Dons squad after apologising for failing to report for pre-season training in an apparent attempt to force a transfer with a year left on his contract.

Manager Jimmy Thelin and the club have accepted the Cape Verde forward back and the players are in agreement as they feel he can make a contribution, although the 24-year-old is unlikely to feature against Motherwell on Saturday.

Devlin said: “Listen, everything that happened with Duk has happened. He has obviously admitted that he made a mistake, that he went about things the wrong way.

“But from a players’ point of view, he can contribute to us. He has come back in great shape to be fair. I think he’s come back in better shape than he was when he left last season.

“He looks really good, he has trained really well this week and the manager has potentially got a bit of tactical work he wants to get into him a wee bit more before he’s involved.

“But it’s good to have him about the place, he’s a good character. He was bubbly, he is popular within the dressing room, so having a face like that back is always nice.

“He has tried to be Duk and if you ask any of the players, especially the ones who were here last year, that’s what you want him to be. You don’t want him to come back and be a different person because of what went on. You want him to be Duk because of how popular he was in the dressing room. He gets on with everyone.

“The first thing Duk did when he came back in, when we had the team meeting, he apologised to everyone.

“And from my point of view, watching him training, he looks like he wants to be here and wants to do well for Aberdeen, and that’s all you can ask of any of your team-mates.”

The right-back added: “We don’t know the ins and outs of what happened so you can only take it from face value when he’s back in the building. He has worked as hard as anyone.

“As long as he works hard, comes in and does his job every day, plays the best as he can, I’m sure he will be fine.”

Aberdeen are looking to make it 10 wins out of 10 since Thelin took charge and the supporters are coming out in numbers for their team, who sit level on points with William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic.

Most of the sections of Pittodrie, including the entire main stand, were sold out 24 hours ahead of kick-off.

Thelin said: “I think the support is amazing. That’s why for me, this connection between the club and the city and the supporters, that’s how you can build a long-term success because it’s not easy to stay a top team for a long time and you need to build something stable and a strong core.”