Aberdeen hero Willie Miller has raised concerns about manager Jimmy Thelin's tactics following a disappointing performance against Celtic at Hampden Park, where the Dons were soundly beaten in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

After a stellar start to the domestic season, Aberdeen found themselves three goals down by half-time, ultimately conceding another three in the second half.

Thelin's side, who had been widely praised for their attacking flair and never-say-die attitude since the Swede took the helm this summer, struggled to cope with Celtic's relentless pressure, leading to a comprehensive defeat.

Miller criticised the team's naive setup, suggesting that the attacking 4-2-3-1 formation left them extremely vulnerable.

He pointed out that the wingers, Luis 'Duk' Lopes and Topi Keskinen, were ineffective both offensively and defensively, creating significant gaps that exposed holding midfielders Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Heltne Nilsen. Plus he was shocked at the positioning of Jamie McGrath in behind striker Ester Sokler. 

Despite being thrashed 6-0, the majority of the Red Army still stayed back to give their squad appreciation, however Miller would've liked to have seen Thelin shore up the Dons' shape to avoid being on the end of such a damaging scoreline. (Image: PA)

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“Yeah, I said that, though, he’s not going to change," the legendary Aberdeen centre-back told BBC Sportsound when asked if Thelin was naive by sticking with his attacking approach.

"I was surprised that McGrath was playing in a forward position. I mean, he was always in contact with Sokler.

“Now, he wasn’t a threat because Aberdeen had no control of the ball. Okay, McGrath had to take care of trying to get close to (Callum) McGregor as well, which is a really difficult task.

“But when Aberdeen had the ball and they didn’t have it on too many occasions, then he [McGrath] was up towards Sokler.

“So you had the two wide players, who for me did nothing in the game. So if you’ve got the two wide players playing wide and not really threatening, then all you can expect is that the ball is going to keep coming back.

“You’ve got McGrath who barely touched the ball in the first half, and Sokler was doing nothing. It wasn’t as if that high press was working because the back four were too deep.

“So you’ve got a huge gap between the two centre midfield players and the four forward Aberdeen players that Celtic just constantly exploited.”