Jimmy Thelin urges Aberdeen forwards to seize chance as Bojan Miovski departs

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has urged his forwards to seize the opportunity presented to them by Bojan Miovski’s departure.

The Dons this week secured a club-record fee for the North Macedonia forward to join Champions League qualifiers Girona in Spain.

With Duk absent without leave and Miovski being protected ahead of his move, Aberdeen have had a new-look strikeforce in the opening games of Thelin’s reign.

The signs have been promising. Ester Sokler scored four Premier Sports Cup goals, Pape Gueye marked his first start for the club with a goal against St Mirren last weekend and summer signing Peter Ambrose also netted in the cup as he waits for his full debut.

Aberdeen are likely to strengthen up front following the departure of last season’s top goalscorer, but Thelin said: “Like we have done before, the recruitment process is always ongoing behind closed doors but also gives players here the opportunity to take these games, to show themselves and grow.

“Sometimes when someone is leaving, someone else can step forward.

“So far we are quite cool with that but it’s always a job behind closed doors we are working on.

“If we need, maybe something can happen but also we put trust in the players that are here.”

Two new signings could make their debuts in Saturday’s second-round clash with Queen’s Park at Pittodrie in the Premier Sports Cup.

Finnish winger Topi Keskinen joined Aberdeen from HJK Helsinki this week, while Croatian midfielder Ante Palaversa is also in the squad.

Thelin said: “Topi’s strength is his speed. He’s really, really quick. He’s a hard working, attacking player. He can add some different qualities to the squad.

“I think it’s good to have a mix. We have some really, really good players between the lines and how they can combine and pace the tempo of the game but Topi is another profile.”