Thelin will 'never' sacrifice remaining European matches

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin insists he will not prioritise domestic matches over their two remaining Conference League fixtures, despite hopes of progression appearing slim at best.

The Dons were held 1-1 by Armenian side Noah on Thursday and will now likely require victories at home to Strasbourg and away to Sparta Prague if they are to finish in the top 24 and reach the knockouts.

Thelin's side are 33rd in the 36-team table having taken just two points from their opening four matches.

"I will never do that," the Swede said. "I think you always need to be competitive as a player and as a manager and as a club. You always have to play for and also get used to it for the future also, so we will not do that.

"But it was important for us to win against Noah to give us the chance. Now we have to win both games and be really, really lucky with all other results.

"We don't control anything there now. So it was more about that situation to give us a chance. Now it's a difficult situation. And for us this is still an opportunity to grow and learn."

Thelin's side were booed off by some supporters at the end but the manager says he understands frustration.

"Football is about passion and emotions, so I have no problem with that.

"The performance in this game was not there really and of course they can feel frustration because I feel frustration myself. And the players feel it because it was not good enough. We have to do better."