Aberdeen's new manager Jimmy Thelin braces for VAR challenges in upcoming Premiership season

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has shared his trepidation about the introduction of VAR as he prepares for his first season in the Scottish Premiership.

Thelin, who recently took the reins at Pittodrie after a stint in Swedish football where VAR was rejected by a vote, will experience the technology firsthand when his team faces St Johnstone on August 5.

He confessed: "I'm quite cool with the referees usually, but maybe I will get crazy I don't know. I have a lot of respect for referees.

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"To be out there and making decisions is not easy. So I have to respect the rule and I wouldn't change with referees as I think it is a really difficult job.

"I respect them and I have to show that also. I can't just say it and not show it. I also have to be focused on the game. If I'm going too far I'm losing focus totally so I try to be calm in these situations."

The Aberdeen boss pointed out that in Sweden, fan influence is significant, leading to the absence of VAR: "The clubs in Sweden are 51 per cent for the fans as they are the decision makers in one way. They voted that you can't put it in. It is a really strong culture about that."

This sentiment echoes the mixed feelings towards VAR in Britain, where even Wolves in the English Premier League proposed a motion to scrap it, and Dave Cormack, Aberdeen's chairman, indicated at the last AGM his preference to do away with the system, reports the Daily Record.

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"They want a fluid game, with passion and offside. That's what they want and for now it is going to be like that. There are some talks in other countries that they want to take it out, so let's see in the future.

"I don't put so much energy in that as I have to focus on the right thing, my priorities. That is Aberdeen now and the players, how we are going to play and train I put my focus there."

The Dons manager has been busy preparing his team at Cormack Park ahead of their trip to Portugal for a training camp next week.

Thelin has recently bolstered his coaching staff by recruiting Craig Hinchcliffe from St Johnstone as the new goalkeeping coach.

He expressed his satisfaction with the appointment, noting the existing rapport between Hinchcliffe and new goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, who also transferred from St Johnstone recently.

Ahead of their first league match against their former club, Thelin remarked: "It's a good connection that they know each other already, Craig and Dimitar.

"For me to get the best out of the player as quickly as possible it is good that the coach is there. Craig is a really good coach also. Dimitar is a goalkeeper who is keen to help the centre-backs and the backline on set-plays and crosses.

"To take down some challenges for them is one of the profiles that we were searching for. Dimitar also has some natural leadership skills and we have already seen that from the first day."

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The Dons are off to a promising start in the league season, avoiding clashes with any of last season's top three teams until their seventh match.

Following their journey to Perth, they face St Mirren and Kilmarnock at home, then travel to Ross County, return for a match with Motherwell at Pittodrie Stadium, and visit Dundee before welcoming Hearts.

The subsequent fixtures will see them up against heavyweights Celtic, Rangers and Dundee United.

Thelin remarked: "We know we need time to grow, you can't fix it directly. The only thing we can do from day one is start to work hard and have a clear direction and accept expectations.

"The supporters will see when we start growing that we need time because that is what we need."