Jimmy Thelin warns Aberdeen will need to show quality to break down Spartans

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin warned his players they will need to show quality to break down Spartans.

The Dons have won all 10 matches under Thelin and are clear favourites to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals when they welcome the Edinburgh team to Pittodrie.

But Thelin is wary of the threat posed by the League 2 side, who have been managed by Dougie Samuel for the past 12 years.

“They have a good coach, I think he is the longest serving coach at one club now in Scotland, they have some experience, ex-Premiership players. They beat Ross County in the last round.

“You can see they’re well organised, they’re well connected. There are some ideas how they link up the game and arrive to crosses. I think they are performing well. They are fourth in their league right now, a stable team.

“We need to play our parts with the high quality, otherwise they’re well organised and it’s difficult to open them up.”

Duk is still not ready to feature for the Dons following the striker’s return from an unauthorised absence.

“Duk has done enough to get into the squad but I think he is still maybe one week or so before he’s ready to compete with other guys inside the squad,” said Thelin, who has Graeme Shinnie back from illness.

“He’s going to be out for this game also but he’s doing really well in the sessions. His timings with the team-mates is better and better. He is adapting really quickly.

“It’s only two weeks but he understands the game well and adapting. We can also use his qualities when he is more connected with the team.

“Graeme Shinnie had some days out (through illness) but now he’s much better and trained well today also. Dante (Polvara) is still out but otherwise everybody is ready to play.”