It’s been four decades since Aberdeen last lifted the Scottish title. After a cracking start this season to life under Jimmy Thelin, can they finally do it again?
The Dons are joint top of the league having won all seven of their Premiership matches so far and Celtic’s superior goal difference is the only thing keeping Thelin’s side from the summit.
Aberdeen have played 13 games across all competitions (six in the League Cup) and have won them all – giving Thelin the record for greatest start in Scottish football.
With their victory over Hearts on Sunday, the Dons boss overtook Martin O’Neill’s previous mark of 12 games set back in 2000.
So, are Thelin’s side really title material? Former Dons David Robertson and Theo ten Caat have been giving their verdict on a special Aberdeen episode of the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.
Robertson, referencing Leicester City’s fairytale English title win of 2016, said: “Aberdeen’s next two or three games [against Celtic, Dundee United and Rangers] will dictate a lot. But anything can happen.
“Look at Leicester. I listened to a podcast with Marc Albrighton, and he said they negotiated their bonuses with the chairman for eighth place – they didn’t have a bonus for winning it. That’s how much they didn’t even expect to finish in the top eight.
“So I think Aberdeen will just quietly go about their business. For Aberdeen, second and third is certainly achievable, and you never know, you might get the real unexpected one and win the whole thing.
“I think the difference this year is they’ve actually beaten teams without playing particularly well.
“And they’re beating teams that they couldn’t beat last year or the year before. That’s always the most important thing to win the league.”
Ten Caat has stressed the importance of having squad depth, given the potential for suspension and injuries throughout the season.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Aberdeen win against Celtic and Rangers,” the Dutch former striker said.
“I hope Aberdeen have more than 11 good players. There has to be at least 14 or 15.
“We won in 1991 against Rangers to the surprise of everyone. We had a good spell at that time as well because Alex McLeish was fit.
“When McLeish got injured, we were top of the league, we had a problem, our best player was out for half a year and it all went downhill. So hopefully it won’t happen this year with Aberdeen.”