Aberdeen

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Alex McLeish hopes former club Aberdeen do not sack manager Stephen Robinson.

Robinson is under pressure, with Saturday's 4-0 Scottish Premiership loss at home to Hibernian the Dons' fourth in a row in all competitions.

Robinson has been in charge since March.

"I thought Stephen would go in there and rock it a wee bit because I like him, he's a good lad," McLeish told BBC Scotland. "I've been pally with him down in England.

"I thought he could maybe take things to another level but we're still waiting on that and Stevie will try his hardest and darndest to try and get that right.

"He's got a good way about him. He's a good coach. I hope Stevie doesn't get sacked.

"Obviously, you can't keep going forward when you're getting terrible results and that was a real blow, a real killer of a game [in the 4-0 loss to Hibernian].

"The football has to rise. The manager will be feeling it really badly."

McLeish does not blame Aberdeen's board for the club's current woes and has urged more from the players.

"The board have really worked hard over the years to try and get Aberdeen back to a kind of level, won a cup a couple of years ago," McLeish said. "I don't blame the board for anything at all.

"Recruitment is absolutely key and if you've bought a bunch of players and then they're not performing then that is a real worry.

"There's a few players in there that are already at a good level but can the others jump on that wagon and get Aberdeen rolling again because it's a very difficult time for them.

"I'm not going to criticise the players because I'm not really sure what level they're at. You have to be a fairly good level to be in the Aberdeen team and to get back to that kind of level is going to be tough."

With speculation intensifying over the future of Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson, Andy Halliday believes the head coach's departure is inevitable.

However, the Sportscene pundit says the squad should be "very, very fortunate that sacking players is not as easy" as dismissing a manager, following their "abysmal" showing in Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Hibernian.

"It's one thing having a lack of quality," says the former Premiership midfielder. "But having a lack of fight, especially when you're in the position you are in...

"If anything, I think they gave up for the last 20 minutes of the game."

Read more: 'Curtains for Robinson' - or can foundering Aberdeen boss survive?

Aberdeen are expected to sack manager Stephen Robinson within 24 hours. (Sun, external)

The club's board are meeting on Monday with Robinson's departure expected to be the outcome. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Robinson has managed Aberdeen for the last time. (STV, external)

Nicky Devlin believes Aberdeen players must question whether they are "doing enough" after Saturday's humbling by Hibernian. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch the best of the action as Hibernian thrash under-pressure Stephen Robinson's Aberdeen 4-0. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after Aberdeen suffered a fourth straight defeat, losing 4-0 at home to Hibs as the pressure ramped up further on Stephen Robinson.

Here's what some of you said:

Greg: It's over. For both manager and chairman. Cut loose now before we find ourselves floundering in the Championship next season. And while we're at it - drop Kevin Nesbit from both captaincy and teamsheet. No more excuses.

Malcolm: The most insipid display I've seen at Pittodrie, devoid of leadership, ideas, creativity. The players should be ashamed of themselves and Robinson should do the right thing and walk away, the role is too big for him and he's hanging on for his pay-off. New manager has a tough job with these poor players, the purse stings will require loosening in January and ship out some of these underperformers if you can.

Graeme: Apathy has set in. Shame as a decent manager. Club waited too long. Bad decisions like making Nesbit captain.

Allen: If Robinson survives this, Dave Cormack and all of his inept cronies must do the decent thing and go, letting other more competent people take charge. Only problem is, who in their right minds will be brave enough to take on this monumental challenge?

Russell: It's been obvious for months Robinson is out of his depth. I've little confidence our board will act decisively given past experience.

David: No passion from the majority. 'Captain' Nisbet turned his back and walked to the centre circle after the first goal, says it all really. Players need to look at themselves in the mirror.

Hibernian's crushing four-goal victory over Aberdeen lifted them off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, leapfrogging their opponents, and piled further pressure on Pittodrie boss Stephen Robinson.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "Stating the obvious, but really disappointed. The performance isn't acceptable, the result isn't acceptable.

"It's the story of the season - if you don't take chances, you lose matches. They had five opportunities, scored four of them. That's the difference.

"I don't know [what the implications may be for me], I don't make that decision. I'm Aberdeen manager until told otherwise, I'll keep fighting until told otherwise. I can control that.

"We're really disappointed with what we've seen and what we've seen over the last few weeks at home. It wasn't acceptable tonight.

"It's a tough spot, no denying it. I've had many tough spots in my career, you don't get to 500 games as a manager if you're not a decent manager and you don't know how to handle pressure.

"I won't hide away from the fact it's not good enough. Am I the person to turn it round? I have belief in my ability, but I don't make that decision.

"I haven't heard anything [about my future] at this moment in time. It's still raw after the game. I expect to have a conversation, as I do most days, with people from above.

"It's hard to justify anything other than agreement with the disappointment after watching that performance.

"You go about your business as best you can. If someone decides that's not going to happen, then that happens, but it hasn't happened at this stage."

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has confirmed he has no budget to raid the free agent market for reinforcements amid a defensive injury crisis. (Press & Journal, external)

Calvin Ramsay has no regrets about swapping regular games with Aberdeen for fleeting appearances with Liverpool before the 23-year-old right-back's current loan to St Mirren. (Scottish Sun, external)

Midfielder Findlay Marshall says being told his Aberdeen career was coming to an end by previous manager Jimmy Thelin delivered "the jolt I needed". (Press & Journal, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Aberdeen defenders Mats Knoester (tendon) and Emmanuel Gyamfi (thigh) will be out for 10 weeks, while Ayoub Mouloua will miss out with a sickness bug.

Dan Happe and Toyosi Olusanya return, but Kristers Tobers (knee), Chris Cadden (hamstring), Lewis Mayo (foot) and Connor Ronan (knee) remain sidelined.

Hibs are without defenders Grant Hanley and Adam Mayor through injury.

Centre-half Hanley has had an operation on a thumb, while left-back Mayor picked up a hamstring problem during training.

Nathan Lowe, Jacob Devaney, Kanayo Megwa (thigh), Rocky Bushiri (Achilles) and Jordan Obita (calf) have been out long term.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Under-pressure Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson is "not hiding away from the fact we need to win" at home to Hibernian on Saturday.

The injury-hit Dons, who will be without key defender Mats Knoester and left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi for at least 10 weeks, are 10th in the table, just three points above this weekend's visitors.

Robinson's side have lost three of their past four league games and have only won three of 11 this term.

"Every game with Aberdeen you need to win, there are no excuses," said the Dons head coach.

"You are expected to win, especially your home games, that comes with the territory.

"I think it is a game we have to win, we have to try and take the game to them and pick as positive a team as we possibly can.

"Defensively we have been decent as team, we can be better, the problem has been scoring goals.

"You just need a little bit of luck, you need it to go off somebody's backside, hit off their shin and it puts you on a run, that is what we are after."

It is the 40th anniversary of legendary Aberdeen boss Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to leave Pittodrie for Manchester United.

The current incumbent, who was appointed in March, is well aware of the growing pressure to deliver victories.

"But history will tell you that when there is longevity in the manager's role and consistency and stability and everyone going in the same direction, which it hasn't been for a long time, then it leads to success," he said.

"It ultimately leads to stability and without stability you will have little bits of success but you won't have sustained success.

"I think the last time there was some was when Derek (McInnes) was here, that was over a long period, I think eight years.

"That won't be my decision whether I get that amount of time. All I can do to affect that is put building blocks in place, put the things in place I believe will work, that I have proved will work, and that does take time.

"But I am very aware that you do not get time."

Like Aberdeen, Hibs have made a poor start to the season, but they travel north boosted by last weekend's League Cup semi-final win over capital rivals Hearts.

Robinson said: "I think they have an excellent squad so it is surprising to see them struggling at the early stage of this season.

"But we have to be at the top of our game to beat them. We know what we need to do, we are not hiding away from the fact we need to win the game."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership visit of Hibernian (17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines:

• Mats Knoester (tendon) and Emmanuel Gyamfi (thigh) have been ruled out for a minimum of 10 weeks.

• Both players recently returned from injury and Robinson says: "They just can't seem to get a run of games unfortunately, mentally as well it has been so, so tough."

• Dan Happe and Toyosi Olusanya return to the squad but Ayoub Mouloua (illness) joins the list of players out. Robinson says "people don't want to hear excuses" and the number of absentees means "somebody else gets an opportunity".

• Aberdeen are 10th in the Premiership, just three points above bottom club Hibs, and Robinson regards Saturday's match as one "we have to win", adding: "We have to try and take the game to them and pick as positive a team as we possibly can."

• With pressure mounting on Robinson after four defeats in five, he was asked if the club need to hold their nerve with him and the team, replying: "I am not getting away from the fact we need to start winning games, simple."

• But he points out: "History will tell you that when there is longevity in the manager's role and consistency and stability and everyone going in the same direction, which it hasn't been for a long time, then it leads to success."

• He says it "won't be my decision whether I get that amount of time" and all he can do is "put the things in place I believe will work, that I have proved will work, and that does take time. But I am very aware that you do not get time".

• Robinson believes his side have been "decent" defensively but "the problem" has been a lack of goals.

• Aberdeen have netted 12 league goals - only Hibs have scored fewer - and the Dons boss says: "Sometimes it needs to go in off somebody's backside or something just to give you a little bit of luck and hopefully that will start changing soon."

• He is surprised to see Hibs struggling at the wrong end of the table as they have an "excellent squad" and the League Cup semi-final win over Hearts will give them a boost, but it is "up to us to meet that and go and produce".

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson says the Dons' committed performance in last weekend's League Cup semi-final loss to Rangers cannot just be for big occasions at Hampden. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

• Hibs have earned 88% of their points this season away from home (7/8) - no other side has more than 54% on the road.

• Aberdeen have won just one of their last five home league games (D1 L3), failing to score in four of those matches.

• Aberdeen have won two of their past three home league games against Hibs (L1), and are looking for successive Pittodrie victories over the Leith side for the first time since November 2022 (3 in a row).

• Only Ryan Carr (30) has conceded more fouls in this season's Scottish Premiership than Aberdeen's Toyosi Olusanya (26). Indeed, since his league debut for the club in January, Olusanya leads the division outright for fouls (47).

• Hibs have won four of their past seven league games against Aberdeen (D1 L2), although are winless in their last two (D1 L1).

Aberdeen have opened talks with Andrew Fasanya, already the club's youngest-ever first-team player, about signing a first professional contract when he turns 16 in December, despite the striker being courted by English clubs. (Record - subscription required, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Aberdeen's hopes of League Cup glory were ended by Rangers despite a relatively gritty showing by the underdogs at Hampden Park, but it was a tough watch on Halloween night.

Derek McInnes' men had been in excellent form and many in red and white feared the worst pre-match, however, the depleted Dons showed a degree of resilience in the face of the storm that has hung around the Granite City and manager Stephen Robinson.

They actually had one or two openings to win the tie themselves, but as has been the case for a lot of this season, the ruthlessness was lacking.

There's no doubt there was fighting spirit, something that probably should come as standard, but in the second half Rangers enjoyed a jaw-dropping 91% possession meaning it was an uncomfortable evening for 10,000 Aberdeen fans who made the trip to Glasgow and the eventual outcome felt inevitable.

Referee Ryan Lee and VAR John Beaton have copped a lot of flak for failing to award a possible penalty at either end or penalise the torso-high challenge by Rangers' James Penrice on Afeez Aremu.

On the latter, the Dons have a big case for grievance - it seemed a pretty straightforward decision - but Penrice survived before later going on to tee Ryan Naderi up for the winner.

And so it is back to league business before the international window as a newly buoyed but still 12th-placed Hibernian go to Pittodrie for a teatime clash on Saturday having reached the League Cup showpiece themselves.

On the surface, it looks like a game Robinson cannot afford to lose. A two-goal Hibs victory coupled with a Kilmarnock success at Celtic Park the following day would leave the Dons bottom of the pile going into that break.

This feels like a must-win for the latest incumbent in the home dugout and he may need more than a bit of grit to do so.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Spirited in defence, toothless in attack.

The Dons' day out at Hampden ended in defeat but can we salvage some positives?

If you want to look at our much-maligned defence, then yes. A makeshift backline, including the often-criticised Jack Milne, defended admirably.

Milne was supported well by the returning Nicky Devlin, who also turned in an excellent performance.

Up top remains a real concern, however. A lack of creativity, lack of threat, and players incapable of holding the ball up. Is captain Kevin Nisbet undroppable?

Saturday brings Hibs - revitalised by reaching the League Cup final - to Pittodrie and it is so important Stephen Robinson and the team build on the things that were tactically correct as the Dons bid to transform our league fortunes.

Failure to do so will see the pressure ramp up again and the international break feel even more arduous.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Dons fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers.

Here's what some of you had to say:

David: I expected the worst from this game but the fact the team actually showed up makes this a more frustrating loss. Rangers didn't deserve a win, we switched off. Some slack passes and wasted chances on our end, but we should have won that game. Fair play to the whole team, but big shout out to Nicky Devlin. Why Stephen Robinson hasn't been relying on him from the off is beyond me.

Marti: Played ok but really shot shy. We had a few chances to leather the ball towards goal but passed instead. There were too many misplaced passes also. We need a striker who knows where the goal is, someone in the mould of Simon Murray would bang them in.

Malky: We are a poor, poor team, make no mistake about it. Each year we continue to regress at a rate that is absolutely a concern in terms of where this club's ambition allegedly lies. The fact that people aren't too unhappy because we only lost 1-0 is a horrendous indictment of where the fans' heads are at. Embarrassing.

Struan: For those of us who made it down I can only thank the lads for their efforts. Grit, determination and desire were shown in bucketloads, however I still feel the squad lacks quality and that was sadly also on display. Do we have a better team than last year? I would say no. Hopefully this titanic effort can be replicated in the league so that we can have a more comfortable time of it.

Stewart: Rangers were poor, most Aberdeen teams I've watched over the last 30 years would have won that game. We have so little quality. To work hard in defence is the bare minimum not something to celebrate.

Fred: Closer than I expected but as we cannot score we cannot expect to win games. Our forwards need some serious coaching if we are to have any real league or cup success. Many excuses from the manager but his coaching and recruitment must play a big part in the general underachievement.