Aberdeen Nearing Safety

Following a hard-fought victory against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen moved eight points clear of the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off position with four matches remaining, and manager Stephen Robinson remained composed.

“Until someone officially informs me that we’re safe from the play-off, we’ll keep working and building on that performance,” he stated to BBC Scotland.

While this reflects the right mindset, an eight-point buffer over Kilmarnock and a six-point lead over St Mirren, during a run-in where the teams at risk will face each other, places Aberdeen in a strong position.

The win against Kilmarnock showcased persistence rather than elegance—highlighted by a goal just 51 seconds into the match.

This victory was significant, as it displayed progress since Robinson’s appointment in March, marking Aberdeen’s first back-to-back league wins since October.

Return to Fundamentals for Aberdeen

In the same vein, Aberdeen achieved back-to-back clean sheets in the Premiership for the first time since November.

In the matches against Kilmarnock and Hibernian, Aberdeen allowed just 0.54 and 0.19 expected goals (xG) respectively, while permitting only 26 touches in their penalty area.

This marks a significant decrease in the chances granted to opposing teams compared to their previous 2-0 loss to St Mirren.

Craig McLeish’s side, the league’s lowest scorers, made 23 touches in Aberdeen’s box and registered 0.9 expected goals.

Centre-back Liam Morrison, who faced significant criticism following his loan from Queens Park Rangers, appeared more confident under Robinson’s leadership.

That said, there are caveats. Hibernian was reduced to ten men early in Aberdeen’s victory, and Kilmarnock did strike the bar three times.

While the improvements might not be immediately evident, Robinson is confident they exist. Regardless, the results speak for themselves.

“I thought we started really well and played brilliantly for the first 15-20 minutes,” Robinson noted. “Then we seemed to get nervous afterward.”

“That’s to be expected. However, one thing that hasn’t been said about an Aberdeen side for a long time is that they’re tough to beat, they defended crosses effectively, and performed well on set-pieces.”

“There were questions about their character this season, but I felt that every player rose to the occasion today.”

“Can we improve our play on the ball? Absolutely”

The nearly full-capacity crowd at Pittodrie witnessed a familiar narrative unfold, similar to many home fixtures this season.

A strong start for the initial quarter of the match faltered as they struggled to regain their rhythm.

At least this time, they capitalized while they were dominant. Afeez Aremu scored just one minute into the game after a deflected effort stemming from a well-executed throw-in.

Aberdeen’s aggressive transition from kick-off and their ability to move the ball forward is more aligned with Robinson’s vision for the team.

However, the drop-off in performance was discouraging. The Northern Irish manager expressed frustration over their lack of discipline in possession, resulting in them finishing the match with just over 40% possession at home.

“I thought we became a bit too casual with it,” he said. “After 20 minutes, we had the match under control, but then we made some careless decisions with the ball.”

“But that’s part of our current situation, and we’ll improve in that regard.”

Aberdeen’s challenges in controlling the game from midfield have been a recurring issue this season.

Their struggles to dictate play centrally have hindered their creativity, contributing to their status as one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league.

Taking steps to bolster their defensive improvements while also enhancing their attacking contributions is Robinson’s next objective.

“Can we be better with the ball? Definitely. We can show more composure, take more touches, and create more opportunities.”

“Overall, we did create more chances, we allowed Kilmarnock some space, pressed effectively, and won the ball back at crucial moments.”

“I’m incredibly proud of how they performed today—their energy, aggression, and organization—these are the basics.”

“These were elements that have been lacking for some time around here. We need to build on this foundation. Hopefully, the nervousness will dissipate and we can expand on that.”

Improvement won’t solely rely on coaching. Aberdeen has signed 20 players since last summer, and many didn’t last through the season.

None can be considered a standout success.

In a different environment next season, improvement may be possible, but Robinson and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel face a substantial task this summer as they work to reshape the squad.

The club has already discussed the need to shift toward signing players with experience in Scottish football.

Regardless of the plan, they can begin to execute it with the likely assurance of remaining in the Premiership next season.