Former Celtic midfielder, Barry Robson has held his first press conference as the permanent manager of Aberdeen and has immediately told his players to go to Ibrox with ‘no fear’.
Robson was given the Dons job on a full-time basis this week after a run of impressive results saw him drag Aberdeen from potential relegation candidates to third place in the SPFL table. Qualifying for European football is also a real possibility.
The former Celtic player has immediately set his sights on Rangers as the sides meet for the first time since the 2-0 win at Pittodrie.
Robson said, “It’s a huge five games for us. Five cup finals, we understand that. It’s all the top six you’re going to play and it’s going to be difficult.
“We need to go in full focus, full throttle and try and win some football matches. I’m not looking too far ahead. It’s a real tough game coming against Rangers, and we need to be our very best.
“As I said to the players, when you go out at Ibrox or wherever, stand there with your chest out, and go and try your best to win a football match.
“The biggest thing as a player, as a person or as a manager is to go down there with no fear.
“Go enjoy it. Enjoy the cauldron. When you’re a young player, and you’re coming into the game, that’s where you want to play. In the big arena where it’s hostile. Don’t fear it.” [BBC Scottish Football Podcast]
Robson knows what kind of mentality is required to defeat Rangers. In his maiden season at Celtic in 2008, he faced the Ibrox club twice in two weeks in an April doubleheader.
He had a huge hand in the 2-1 win in the first tie to narrow the gap to Rangers at the top of the league to one point. Just eleven days later, Robson converted a penalty in the 3-2 win that took Celtic to the top of the league. The Hoops eventually went on to win the league that season under Gordon Strachan.
Robson will be looking to pile on more agony for our Glasgow rivals this Sunday with a win at Ibrox. And should Celtic take care of Hearts at Tynecastle at 2:15pm we are in store for yet another Beautiful Sunday.
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