Chris Sutton: I know how Aberdeen can end the title sniping behind their backs, and it does not end with the Celtic acid test

The top two face off at Celtic Park as the Dons aim to reach the Premiership summit.

Jimmy Thelin does not make a lot of noise. He does not have to.

His Aberdeen teammates are doing the talking for him. Nonetheless, doubters of the Dons continue to speak up. So this is Thelin’s ideal time to slap them down and quiet them. The Swede’s performance at Pittodrie has been flawless. I don’t care what level of the game you’re playing at; 13 victories out of 13 in all of your events is excellent work. However, the cynics are still out there, and I understand their position.

Without European football involvement, the Dons’ acid test will be matches versus Celtic and Rangers, which they have yet to face. It comes to reason that people will hold their judgement till the events develop this afternoon in Glasgow’s East End. That is nothing against Thelin or his team. That is only plain sense. However, if you go to the champions’ home and cause some trouble, there will be no more whispering behind their backs.

No more quiet sniping about them being flat-track bullies who will be exposed when put to the test by Glasgow’s pair. In general, the Reds have a promising stretch ahead of them.

If things don’t go as planned at Celtic Park, there is another chance to face Brendan Rodgers’ team in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals. I’m not dismissing Aberdeen as title contenders, but I have to admit that the last-four encounter feels even more important to them right now.

Success at the National Stadium would put them one game away from a trophy, whilst whatever of the outcome tonight, the Premiership still has 30 games remaining. In between the Celtic fixtures, there are two important home games against Dundee United and Rangers.

Seriously, if they win even one of the three matches against the Old Firm and take care of Jim Goodwin’s team during the following crucial fortnight, you can’t help but consider them as the genuine deal. However, given the task at hand today, that is a very large if.

To be honest, Celtic are a class above everyone else in the league right now, regardless of points totals. Aberdeen would do well to take note of how Rodgers’ team dismantled Rangers, as they have done with the others.

Let’s be clear on a few things. I’m not going to sit here and say that Thelin’s team is poised to dethrone Celtic.

My previous side possesses much too much depth and ability to be defeated by any challenger outside of their own city. Even a Dons victory today would not change my mind, but it would give me pause in terms of their ability to break the Old Firm and overtake Rangers if the Ibrox side can’t get their act together.

Let me also affirm something else: I am quite eager about the actual match. It’s so refreshing to be evaluating a top-of-the-table game in the Scottish Premiership that doesn’t feature simply the Old Firm. I’ve heard remarks about how it should be shown nationwide on live television, and I understand that fans who aren’t in the stadium want to see it.

As someone who works in television, I would have been satisfied with that scenario. But, at the same time, think about the season ticket holders. They spend a lot of money every year and are rewarded with a Saturday at 3 p.m.

The vast majority of fans inside the stadium will be eager for Celtic to trample all over Thelin’s team. Stamp their status as the country’s kings. To be honest, that may happen because if Rodgers’ team reaches their peak, they will be tough for the Dons to deal with.

However, Aberdeen has its own weaponry. They’re doing a lot of things well, and I really like their style, which is similar to Thelin’s. There is no fuss around him. No frivolous talk. He appears to be a straight shooter who saves his big comments for the dressing room.

There is no doubt that he is getting a good response from his team, and the recruitment has been great. Players like Kevin Nisbet are classy. Dimitar Mitov is a terrific custodian, Topi Keskinen definitely has talent, Sivert Heltne Nilsen has been outstanding, and there is a solid backbone in the form of stalwarts Nicky Devlin, who recently made his Scotland debut, and Graham Shinnie.

They’ll all need to be at their peak performance, and even then, it may not be enough. However, defeat does not automatically imply failure. Celtic might be too good on the day, but what gives Aberdeen the most hope?

Well, I would say that, in general, larger teams struggle to achieve rapid cohesion when they return from foreign breaks.