'Everybody has something to lose' - Thelin not taking Elgin lightly

Jimmy Thelin insists Aberdeen are giving Elgin City full respect in a competition that can "create dreams".

The Dons begin their Scottish Cup campaign on Saturday by seeking a first win in 13 games when they travel to the fourth-tier side.

Thelin is eagerly anticipating his first taste of the tournament, saying: "For me the cup here and in Sweden is so amazing because you can play these games against teams from different levels and that is the core of football.

"You can create dreams, the passion, that is why the cup is an amazing thing.

"You have to respect the opponent and you have to prepare yourself. Everybody who follows the cups in every corner of the world, things can happen so we have to be ready.

"When you are so close to the fans and you can hear everything that is also a nice spirit and feeling. I am looking forward to the game.

"Everybody always has something to lose, everyone wants to get through. I understand the situation that we are the big team.

"I have been on the other side in cups also and they are going to be ready but of course we're also going to be ready.

"They have done well. We have seen the games now and gone through them and we have a good report about them.

"For me if it's Elgin, Rangers or Hearts, the focus right now is to fix the things we can take care of."