Kevin Nisbet hitting Aberdeen 'standards' as Jimmy Thelin looks beyond the goals and names 4 standout traits

The Scotland cap has now netted in his last two games and is hitting form at the right time

Jimmy Thelin knows how important it is for Aberdeen’s ambitions to have Kevin Nisbet back on the goal trail.

The Scotland international has now netted in his last two games and looks to be hitting form at the right time for Thelin’s revitalised Dons. Nisbet’s had an indifferent spell at Pittodrie and his early form saw him win an international recall but then injury and lack of game time curtailed him.

The on-loan Millwall frontman scored in the win over Dundee and the Scottish Cup victory against Dunfermline and his manager knows he brings so much more to the team. Thelin said: “You saw his smile when he scored the goal (against Dunfermline) and always as a striker or a winger or a No.10, it’s important to score goals, everybody knows that. So it was a nice feeling for him but also for us, of course. But for me, to see his effort every week now. How he gets sharper and sharper and more power in the legs. He’s growing every week to get stronger and give more to the team, so I’m happy for him and that is important for us.”

Thelin believes the 27-year-old is now hitting form and it’s no coincidence, as he’s just finished back-to-back 90 minutes – his previous full game was more than 18 months ago.

The Aberdeen boss said: “If you look at more than just the goals he has scored in recent weeks, how he has run for the team, how he has pressed. There has also been some transitions and he has been really strong in behind.

“Also, when we lost the ball, he was running behind Topi (Keskinen) and Pape (Gueye) and doing some really good defensive work. So that’s the standards we’re searching for, for everyone, to be a strong team, to be more stable. That’s why I’m happy also when we really put the effort in and Kevin has got the rewards with his goals.”

Thelin increased his firepower when he added Oday Dabbagh on-loan from Charleroi on the final day of the transfer window. He now has Nisbet, Gueye, Peter Ambrose and the Palestine international, along with Ester Sokler when he returns from injury.

The Dons are back on the goal trail with five goals in two wins and will be out to keep it going on Saturday against Kilmarnock. Thelin said: “We try also to play on the strength of the players but you can’t change everything. It’s a mix of both things. You have some ideas, the basic structure but then you have different roles.

“The game will change if Kevin plays, Peter plays, Oda plays or Ester. Individually, they have different qualities. Yes, they all play in the same position so the base in terms of work is there for everybody.

“That’s why I talk about, in some games like the Hibs game, you don’t see the lines or what you want to do. You don’t recognise your own team. That was not acceptable at that point.

“But what I see in training now, and the cup game and then in the league. You see more, this is Aberdeen FC playing and they are clear on what they want to do. They are connected as a team. They play together, not only 11 players on the pitch.

“If defending, attack and transition are all connected the individual player’s skill can make the difference, whether from the start or coming on.”