Lesson learned for my Reds in spirited victory

JIMMY THELIN reckons his Aberdeen team learned lessons from Rangers that helped them book a place in the Scottish Cup final.

- By Scott Burns

The Dons saw off Hearts - down to nine men by the end of extra time-after Oday Dabbagh's late winner fired the Pittodrie side to Hampden glory.

The Reds surrendered a two-goal lead and two Premiership points a week before to 10-man Rangers.

But this time Thelin's troops made no mistakes as the Jambos paid for their indiscipline with Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin sent off.

Thelin said: "We learned some lessons from last week against Rangers.

"When you try to push and how they transition against us, there was a little hesitation in the crosses.

"On Saturday, we put more crosses in and were more stable in transitions.

"Hearts started the game really well and there is always a set play or a transition against you.

"I felt the team was more balanced, took more responsibility and learned from last week.