Ester Sokler is Aberdeen's 'best attacking defender' as Jimmy Thelin offers inside track on unique role for star

The star has shone in the Premier Sports Cup so far this term

Jimmy Thelin has labelled Premier Sports Cup specialist Ester Sokler one of Aberdeen’s “best attacking defenders”.

The Slovenian, who made his 50th Dons appearance at the weekend, may prefer to play centre-forward. But his manager knows he does so much more and at times he is the Dons’ first line of his defence. The forward, who was given the nod after Bojan Miovski was sold to Girona, has grabbed all five of his goals this season in the Premier Sports Cup. The Red Army hope that will continue to be the case when they head to Hampden to take on Celtic at the start of November.

Thelin said: “He’s a good player, he’s one of the best attacking defenders. How he closes the passing lines, how he can help put pressure in a good way. He works so hard for the team to create these opportunities with our pressing. It was nice to get that goal on Saturday.

"The goal is always important to get the players the feeling they want to score. Also how he fights for that goal – it was a slide and a duel. He gives everything to get the ball into the net, so I’m really happy with him.”

Aberdeen continued their flawless start to the season as they made it 11 wins on the spin against Spartans. Thelin, though, has pushed thoughts of the National Stadium to the one side and his focus is all on trying to extend their sizzling run to a dozen in Dundee on Saturday night.

The positive for him is his team is on form and sharing the goals around – Pape Habib Gueye, Kevin Nisbet, Leighton Clarkson and Sokler were all on the scoresheet at the weekend. Thelin added: “Spreading the goals out and sharing the responsibility to try to keep winning the games, it’s good for us for sure. It’s important because we try to find how we play and how we work, try to find different angles from the assists but also how we attack the box. It’s good that it’s different.”

Aberdeen are in contract talks with Jamie McGrath and Jack MacKenzie. The latter has worked hard on the offensive side of his game and assisted two of the goals against the League Two outfit. Thelin said: “Yeah, that’s good and also how we defend. He’s running up and down. Again, he’s sprinting so much in the second half.

“But then in the last five minutes to have some transition, he’s run all the way back and stopped the transition and takes the duel. I’m really happy and pleased with that.”

Slobodan Rubezic helped to keep a clean sheet but showed another side of his game as he also created the third with a great cross for Clarkson to head in. Thelin admits the Montenegro international had been moaning to his team-mates at the interval over the lack of quality into the box, adding: “I have to say in the half-time Rubi told everybody we need to put more crosses. The first thing he did was a cross and then a goal. He’s a clever guy, he’s a good coach. Easy.”

Injured Dante Polvara has also been helping Thelin and his backroom staff as he continues his rehabilitation. He was on the pitch to celebrate on Saturday but the club don’t want to put a time on his comeback.

Thelin added: “He’s a little bit further in the future. He’s doing well with the medical team and also himself. But it’s a way ahead.”

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