Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has been appointed as the new manager of Aberdeen FC. The 44-year-old was named as interim manager following Jim Goodwin’s dismissal at the beginning of the year but seven straight wins and winning the cinch Premiership Manager of the Month award for March saw the Dons officials keen to tie him down.
In a statement this morning, Aberdeen confirmed that Robson and Steve Agnew have signed deals to remain at the club until at least the end of the 2024/25 season.
“I would like to thank the Chairman and the wider Board for putting their trust in me and together with Steve and my staff we will work tirelessly to match the ambitions of the Club.
“Since being asked to take the team at the end of January the response from the players has been immense, and likewise the supporters have been brilliant and got right behind the team. They have played their part in our recent wins.
“We still have five tough matches remaining this season but we’re all more determined than ever to deliver European football again for the supporters and longer term meet the expectations of this great club.”
Robson joined Celtic in January 2008 and helped propel Gordon Strachan’s team to 3IAR. In his first game, incidentally, at Pittodrie, Robson came off the bench and scored a free-kick with his first touch as a Celtic player. Robson was pivotal in the title success that season, showing his grit and determination to battle for everything. Along with Paul Hartley, the pair fought for everything in the 2-1 win over Rangers in April and a few weeks later, Robson netted the winner from the spot as Celtic came from behind to beat Walter Smith’s team. Robson left the club for Middlesborough, having made 55 appearances and scoring 7 times taking with him an SPL winners medal and a League Cup winners medal.
In 2013, Robson moved back to Aberdeenshire and was involved as Derek McInnes sought to turn around the fortunes of the ailing North East side. Robson helped them to the League Cup triumph at Celtic Park in 2014. After the 2015/16 season, Robson hung up his boots and moved into coaching with Aberdeen. His win over Rangers last month showcased that he had the ability to make Aberdeen a force to be reckoned with again, which no doubt resulted in Dave Cormack and Alan Burrows pulling the trigger on his appointment now.
Robson will take his Aberdeen team to Celtic Park on the 27th May for the final game of the season with the North East club looking to seal third place.
