Aberdeen advanced into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup with victory over Queen’s Park, but as Jimmy Thelin admitted, it was far from plain sailing.

“It was a difficult game. We had some opportunities in the first half, but they also had two really strong chances. But we stayed in the game and tried to be consistent, and I think in the second half we tried to attack them more from the sides and go for some crosses. I think that was our solution, but still it was 0-0. The team stayed calm and didn’t get frustrated and they used the ideas we have, and that meant we finally get the winning goal.

“I’m really happy with how they performed because it’s easy to get frustrated and then you can lose the game on a transition or whatever. It is also good how the fans don’t let the frustration take over, they stay with us and pushed us to the last minute. That’s why we can get this extra energy to win these games.

“We need to stay humble and we need to make the effort to grow. That’s the only way to achieve something together. There are still a lot of things to learn and improve, but I like the mentality because it’s so easy to get stressed in these kind of games, but the players really, really focus, all through the team.

“If you see Sivert, I like his energy. Sometimes when the players are really, really tired or whatever, he keeps pushing them and they can do a little extra, so he’s a good player to give energy.

“Then Jack Milne, he hadn’t played so much either and then he came into a really important game, so I think he did really well. When he got some cramps, I think there was still a lot of the game to go, but he kept fighting until the end and did really well. It’s really important that’s we try to give the young players opportunities and he did a really good job today. I think it’s a good mix in the squad right now. I think a lot of players are growing.”

New signing Topi Keskinen found the goal that won the game, an explosive start on his Dons debut.

“It is Topi’s first game, he hasn’t done many sessions with the team yet, but he showed the things why we brought him here, running in behind, and also the mix with some good skills in dribbling and finding spaces between the lines. He stretched them a little bit and gave more space to other players.

“It’s a good impact and a good start for him, for sure. It’s always nice when a new player arrives and he can make some impact. I’m really happy for him, getting a winning goal to get us through to the next round.”