Aberdeen must walk before they run - Foster

Aberdeen fans should temper their optimism ahead of the arrival of Jimmy Thelin to avoid disappointment, says former Dons defender Richard Foster.

The Pittodrie side are unbeaten in their last seven Premiership outings, having won all of their last three, lifting the mood after a difficult campaign.

With a new manager to come in the summer, Foster believes Aberdeen fans should be hopeful, but thinks challenging Hearts for third would be a step too far in the Swede's first year in Scotland.

"They can be optimistic, but I still believe Aberdeen need to be realistic as well, the fans," Foster told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If you think the manager's going to come in and fight Hearts for third, firstly I think it's quite disrespectful to all the other teams and Hearts themselves, but also, that just heaps huge pressure on another new manager.

"I think if Aberdeen are to finish fourth or fifth next season, that's progress, and then can they build from there? I think they need to give Thelin time.

"Having said that, he might come in and they might really take off and they might go and challenge for third and fourth position. But I think that's a more optimistic viewpoint.

"Just get them playing good football, make Pittodrie a bit of a fortress, make it horrible for teams to go up there and play and look to get into the top six next season.

"And from that you can build. There's no point trying to run before you can walk."