Thelin’s Aberdeen challenge Celtic as Scotland yearns for new narrative

Swedish manager has enjoyed a fairytale 100% start at Pittodrie before Saturday’s surprise top of the table clashAberdeen will not win the Scottish Premiership barring the kind of Celtic implosion that would render Brendan Rodgers borderline unemployable. It is simply that the illusion of a proper challenge from outside Glasgow allows not only supporters of the Pittodrie club but also neutrals to dream. Aberdeen head to Celtic Park on Saturday with the teams locked on seven wins from seven and a sense of occasion guaranteed. Regardless of outcome, Jimmy Thelin’s men can look positively towards the remainder of the campaign.It has not taken long for Thelin to collect adulation in the north east of the country. There is a misplaced sense that followers of Aberdeen not only yearn for the halcyon days of Alex Ferguson but believe they could ever be replicated. What they do demand – and with just cause – is that the club should be at the competitive forefront of the Scottish game, jousting for honours and at least laying gloves on the Old Firm. While the title is a pipe dream, Aberdeen can certainly battle a hugely unconvincing Rangers for second. Last season, they were reduced to providing a stage for Neil Warnock’s tired stand-up. The attendance of more than 19,000 when Hearts visited Pittodrie earlier this month emphasises how quickly a serious Aberdeen manager can captivate audiences. The turning of heads elsewhere in Scotland proves of how necessary new narratives are.