Robinson's Hampden record faces Rangers test in Premier Sports Cup semi-final
Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson, under pressure after a poor league run, brings his strong Hampden semi-final record into Saturday's Premier Sports Cup last-four meeting with Derek McInnes' unbeaten Rangers.
Stephen Robinson heads into Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden with his Aberdeen future under scrutiny. Wednesday's home defeat by Falkirk was the fourth time in six home league games his side have failed to score, and he has overseen three wins in 11 to start the Premiership season. Asked about his position, he gave short, deflated answers and accepted patience with his team is wearing thin.
Robinson's Hampden record offers the clearest counter-argument. He is unbeaten in semi-finals at the national stadium, including last season's League Cup run with St Mirren, which ended in a 3-1 final win over Celtic. In the same competition his St Mirren side eliminated Derek McInnes' Hearts on penalties, and during his Motherwell tenure he reached both national cup finals, beating McInnes' Aberdeen heavily in League Cup and Scottish Cup ties.
Robinson was more bullish on Friday, citing that record and his ability to motivate players for big occasions. He noted that his Motherwell and St Mirren teams were not expected to win their semi-finals or finals, and said he knows how to make teams believe. McInnes, for his part, has warned against underestimating Robinson as an underdog.
The question is whether this Aberdeen side can produce the toughness, organisation and incisive counter-attacking associated with Robinson's best teams. He has appeared to struggle to settle on his strongest line-up, formation and approach, with half-time changes common. The numbers suggest defensive and set-piece improvement on last season, but creativity and goalscoring have not followed, and the absence of defender Mats Knoester is a significant blow against a Rangers side unbeaten in 10 games and scoring more freely than when the sides last met at Pittodrie in August.
For McInnes, the semi-final carries comparable weight. Rangers have won one league title, one Scottish Cup and one League Cup in 14 years despite heavy spending, and McInnes is the latest manager tasked with ending two trophyless campaigns, the first under American ownership. A 3-0 quarter-final win helped change the direction of their season, and he has spoken of the importance of a first trophy in reinforcing confidence and belief, while noting semi-finals can be tense affairs. Aberdeen supporters are expected to be heavily outnumbered at Hampden; a win for Robinson in these circumstances would rank among his best achievements and could prove a turning point in his Aberdeen tenure.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
