Aberdeen manager Barry Robson is expecting as tough a test as Scottish football provides when Celtic visit Pittodrie on Sunday, but still has belief his side can pull off a shock result.
Robson turning around the Dons was one of the big Scottish football stories of last season. He rallied the club from a poor start to the campaign to finish third in the Scottish Premiership and guarantee European group-stage football this term.
It will be difficult to follow that up across 2023/24, but Robson is determined to show up well against the champions and kickstart some good form – despite the quality Celtic have.
The Dons boss said [Daily Record]: “I watched the game against County and thought they did very well. But I also saw Celtic’s quality. They have had just one competitive game, so have we. People forget that. We played Livingston last week and it was their fifth competitive game whereas it was our first.
“Both Celtic and us are in the same boat and I think it will be a good game. I’m looking forward to it and so are the players. County did well but I’m not saying we are going to copy them. Malky Mackay tried to organise his team in the right way and we will try to do what suits us. It is always difficult but you have to believe you can perform well against them and get a result – and we do believe.
“Celtic are different again under Brendan, who is a brilliant, successful manager. It is going to be really difficult and we need to be at nines and 10s to get a result – every player, staff included. If we do that, we have a chance and the fans will help us do that. It’s never an easy game but as long as we are aggressive and want to perform as well as we can against them, if we do that we have a chance.”
Celtic’s last trip to Pittodrie was a very tight encounter indeed. It took a very late Callum McGregor strike from the edge of the box to secure the three points.
Robson’s outfit aren’t likely to give the Bhoys an inch – they’ll be combative and physical, also looking to harness the energy of a big home crowd on the counterattack. Celtic are understandably red-hot favourites, but it won’t be a stroll by any means.
This is a big test for Brendan Rodgers’ group – it’s tougher than the opener against Ross County and the team will have to be sharper right from the first whistle. But it’s also a fixture to look forward to and have confidence of another three points.
In other news, The Liel Abada summer story may not be over as Sky Sports report surprise Celtic offers.
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