Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin reaction as FIVE summer signings handed debuts in friendly win against Cove Rangers

By Gbam Godwin On Jul 12, 2025

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin reaction as FIVE summer signings handed debuts in friendly win against Cove Rangers.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin started five of his six summer recruits in the 2-0 victory over Cove Rangers, however one was sidelined due to injury.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin feels that the summer transfer window acquisitions are quickly adapting to his expectations and style of play. Five of Thelin’s six summer signings made their debuts in the 2-0 friendly win over Cove Rangers at a packed Balmoral Stadium.

Striker Kusini Yengi and winger Nicolas Milanovic started for Thelin’s Scottish Cup winners against the League One side.

Aberdeen's Nicolas Milanovic (L) and Cove Rangers' Arron Darge (R) in action. Image: SNS — Aberdeen’s Nicolas Milanovic (L) and Cove Rangers’ Arron Darge (R) in action. Image: SNS

At halftime, Thelin made three more new signings: midfielders Kjartan Már Kjartansson and Adil Aouchiche, and goalkeeper Nick Suman. Those three summer signings were among eight substitutions made over the break.

New signings building a connection

The Pittodrie manager was pleased with the newcomers’ performances as Aberdeen ratchet up their pre-season preparations for a season in which they are guaranteed European league involvement.

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He stated, “We have new players that we need to incorporate while also getting the most out of the guys we already have. “They’re starting to get to know each other on the pitch and figure out the timing. “It’s only been a short period for certain players, but I’d say they already understand each other.

Aberdeen's Kjartan Mar Kjartansson during a pre-season friendly match against Cove Rangers. — Aberdeen’s Kjartan Mar Kjartansson during a pre-season friendly match against Cove Rangers. Image: SNS

“Everyone is motivated and aligned with our goals at this club. “We know we have four competitions this season, and we will endeavour to do well in each one.

“But the most essential thing is that we play in such a way that we can do it repeatedly. “The wonderful thing about today (against Cove Rangers) is that we moved some players without losing the team’s flow.

“That was great to watch in the second half. “There were so many changes but we looked like the same team… and that’s what we want to achieve.”

Summer signing Gyamfi out injured

Left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi was not in the squad at Cove Rangers and will have to wait till his debut. Gyamfi, who had been signed from Bundesliga 2 team Schalke, was injured and missed the game. Thelin clarified:

“He has been struggling with an injury so let’s see when he is available.” The friendly versus Cove Rangers was Aberdeen supporters’ first opportunity to witness the new recruits in action. Aberdeen’s pre-season began with a 10-day warm-weather training camp in Portugal, and they returned to the Granite City last week.

Aberdeen's Adil Aouchiche and Cove Rangers' Mitch Megginson (R) in action. Image: SNS — Aberdeen’s Adil Aouchiche and Cove Rangers’ Mitch Megginson (R) in action. Image: SNS

Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin scored goals each side of halftime to secure the victory.

Thelin ‘happy’ with performance

Milanovic, a summer addition, also hit the crossbar in the first half. Thelin stated, “It was nice to have the minutes in the legs and the motions together in preparation for our game. “Of course, there are always areas for improvement, but it is important about building relationships on the pitch.

“The more they share the same vision and work together to attain our goals. “And then we get the most out of the players we have by leveraging their strengths.

Aberdeen's Nicky Devlin scores a late goal to make it 2-0 against Cove Rangers.

“Against Cove Rangers, we demonstrated some good build-up play as well as some areas where we need to improve when arriving for chances. “It was two good goals, but we still need to do more with the way we play.

“But overall I was happy with the performance.” A handful of first-team regulars were absent from the squad against Cove Rangers because they were playing for a Donx XI in a friendly against Turriff United later that day. Dante Polvara, the Scottish Cup final penalty hero, captained an Aberdeen XI to a 2-0 victory over the Highland League side The Haughs.

Aouchiche debut after limited training

The Aberdeen XI also included striker Ester Sokler, Richard Jensen, and Slobodan Rubezic. Jensen and Rubezic have returned to Aberdeen following loan spells last season. Rubezic and Sokler scored the game-winning goals.

Meanwhile, Thelin was happy to see midfielder Aouchiche play against Cove Rangers following only one training session with the Dons. Aouchiche was signed on a season-long loan from Premier League Sunderland. Aberdeen have the option to buy before next summer for a club-record £1.5 million.

Aberdeen's Adil Aouchiche in action in the 2-0 win against Cove Rangers — Aberdeen’s Adil Aouchiche in action in the 2-0 win against Cove Rangers. Image: SNS

Aouchiche is a former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder who has represented France at youth level. Thelin stated, “Auochiche only had one session but discovered his groove the more he played. “He found his way through many situations and performed effectively. “It was nice to see the new signings do well.”