Jonny Hayes: Aberdeen Are Title Contenders Under Jimmy Thelin

After many years of being pretenders, Aberdeen are genuine title contenders according to former Dons winger Jonny Hayes. 

It's been almost 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson guided the Pittodrie club to their last Scottish championship title, but Hayes is backing his former club to break the Old Firm dominance.

Since those glory days in 1985, Celtic have been crowned Scottish champions 21 times while Rangers have won the other 18 titles, but could this be Aberdeen's season?

Despite being joint top with Celtic on 31 points from 11 games, and being nine points clear of third-placed Rangers, football betting sites have the Dons as third favourites to win the title. 

Hayes disagrees and backs manager Jimmy Thelin to follow in Ferguson's footsteps.

"Aberdeen have got that mood in the dressing room and they’re playing well," Thelin told Gambling.com in an exclusive interview. 

"When you find ways to win it's infectious and it lasts a long time. So for me, yes, they can 100% maintain it [their early season form]. 

"They have been brilliant. It's been a phenomenal start. 

"I've watched them with interest right from the start of the season as I know many of the staff and players. They’re right up there. They look like a proper team now."

This is Thelin's first managerial job in Scotland and Aberdeen's decision to appoint him after enjoying success with Elfsborg in Sweden is paying off.

The Dons showed they are to be taken seriously after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Celtic in October. 

Hayes paid tribute to Thelin for bringing the good times back to a city that has been starved of success for too long. 

"I think Jimmy's character is a lot different to what we've been used to in Scotland," Hayes said.

"He's very reserved and he's not very vocal about decisions going against him. It's quite refreshing to see. His mannerisms on the touchline are brilliant as well. 

"I enjoy watching him and his substitutions are frightening, really, really good.

"I've seen the city when the team's been doing really well, and also when the team's not been doing so well, and it has a massive impact on everybody. 

"It's a one-club city and when the team's doing well the place really thrives. 

"Then when the team's not doing so well people aren't as happy. It shows they're passionate about football up here.

"I've seen their last few games and even when things aren't going their way, the manager seems to know what to do to change it, and turn a draw or loss into a win."

Hayes retired from professional football in July as an Aberdeen player. 

However, it was at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he made his name scoring 23 goals in 85 league games.

It was only eight seasons ago that Inverness were in Scotland's top flight mixing it with Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen. 

Following administration, the Caledonian side find themselves in the third tier and Hayes hopes the recent takeover can return the club back to the top flight. 

"Inverness are a fantastic club, they gave me a brilliant platform to come and play in Scotland, and a lot of good people worked there when I was there," Hayes said.

"The way people have come in and mismanaged the club, probably for their own benefit, is just really disappointing to see. 

"I suppose investment is going to be key, isn't it? First they'll need to stay afloat and survive in League One.

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"That will be their biggest task and probably the biggest challenge they've ever faced. 

"After that you're looking at building blocks. Sustainability is going to be key because they're not a club with a huge fan base or budget. 

"I know Alan Savage is working hard behind the scenes. I think he's a great person to have involved because I know how much he cares about the football club. 

"So if he can get more people in that care, and they can point the new owners in the right direction, I think that's key for them."