Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson has told his players to embrace the challenge of playing at Celtic Park, insisting that Celtic supporters know what he was like as a player and they should expect nothing less of him as a coach.
The ex-Celtic midfielder has overseen two games since assuming the role of interim manager. From this, he earned three points for the Dons, which came from a victory over Motherwell. Robson has taken over at Pittodrie after the unceremonious departure of Jim Goodwin. The 44-year-old has given his thoughts on today’s game.
Robson insists that there has been improvement in the Aberdeen squad over the past few weeks, since his arrival, but he concedes that the challenge put in front of them will be tough, as he later labels Celtic ‘the best team in Scotland’. The ex-Scotland international has told his team to be brave as travelling down to Paradise can be quite daunting.
As reported by AberdeenLive, Robson gave his thoughts on the upcoming game against Celtic…
“I think the statement that was made is pretty clear and tells everyone where we are at the minute.”
“Whether the board change that stance is something you would need to ask them, but myself and Steve are still in charge and we are actually really looking forward to the game tomorrow. We have been positive in the last couple of games which I think everyone has seen. It will be a difficult game as we are going up against the best team in the country, but we are positive and are looking forward to the challenge.”
“We are missing our two centre-backs with speed which might change our idea of the game a wee bit, but we have got to go down there and believe and be positive.”
“Aberdeen is a huge club, and we want to go down there and show the fans that we are fighting and put on as much of a positive performance as we can. I had a great time there but we have moved on now and every Celtic fan knows me or saw me play know that I am a winner and that I want to win for whatever club I am at.”
“Players can get overawed a bit playing at Celtic Park, but my message to my players has been to go and enjoy and embrace it, as it is a great place to play football and perform. Sometimes you won’t have the ball as much as you hope for, but when you do have it you need to go and be brave.”
Celtic have won the first two meetings of the season against the Dons. In the first game, on flag day, Celtic won 2-0 thanks to goals from Stephen Welsh and Jota. In the second game in December, a fine strike from Callum McGregor picked up a crucial 1-0 win on a baltic day at Pittodrie.
GLASGOW DERBY UNDER THE LIGHTS ON FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7PM….CELTIC V theRangers
Don’t forget there’s some Friday Night Football under the lights this coming Friday when Fran Alonso’s title challenging Celtic side take on theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie with the match only open to Celtic supporters. Celtic are a point ahead of theRangers at the moment and three behind Glasgow City who we play a week on Sunday, also over at Airdrie. A win against theRangers takes Celtic to the top of the league and a win the following Sunday will really put Celtic in the driving seat for our first ever SWPL1 Title. Get along and support the team, for full ticket details click below…COYGIG!
