FORWARD MARCH

Thelin tells Cup winners to target more silver after summer of hiking sets up glory push

- SCOTT BURNS

SCOTTISH CUP-WINNING boss Jimmy Thelin returns to Aberdeen this week with the sole focus of being even better this season.

The Swede and his team wrote themselves into the history books when they brought the Scottish Cup back to the Granite City for the first time in 35 years.

It is a month today since the Dons lifted the trophy and Thelin signed off with the dream finish to his first season in the Pittodrie hot seat.

Thelin soaked up the celebrations, returned to Sweden to spend time with the family and went on holiday to Greece.

The 47-year-old has recharged the batteries and is ready to go again. He flies back to Aberdeen today, as he prepares for the Dons' return to pre-season in the middle of the week.

The Aberdeen manager has already started to revamp his squad with the signings of Nicolas Milanovic, Kusini Yengi, Nick Suman and Emmanuel Gyamfi and is looking to add further to a squad that will have to cope with the domestic expectations and added rigours of European group stage football.

Thelin said: "It's fantastic to be part of something like this (the cup win) and we should be proud of that. But now we're going to look ahead and do it even better next season.

"Planning for the upcoming season has begun and I am in contact with the club almost daily. But I have also been resting, spending time with family and friends.

"I feel good, but it's been a long football year for me. So now it's nice to have a little shorter break and have time to land a little and recharge my batteries."

It is Thelin's first break since Christmas 2023 and he feels better for it.