Barry Robson is relishing the prospect of welcoming again three key gamers as Aberdeen bid to bounce again from their 2-1 defeat at Hearts and seal third place within the cinch Premiership.
The Dons noticed their five-point benefit over the fourth-placed Jambos chopped to only two with two video games remaining after objectives from dwelling forwards Josh Ginnelly and Lawrence Shankland overturned Mattie Pollock’s opener for the guests.
Aberdeen misplaced 5-0 on their final go to to Tynecastle below earlier boss Jim Goodwin in January and Robson took some solace from the actual fact this defeat – narrower in scoreline – was suffered with out captain Graeme Shinnie, talismanic ahead Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes and wing-back Ross McCrorie, all of whom are in line to return for Wednesday’s essential match at dwelling to St Mirren.
“Compared to last time down here, we’re a totally different team now,” stated Robson. “The optimistic for me is we’ve obtained Shinnie, Duk and McCrorie all to come back again.
“It’s not easy to come down here and play without those players. The other boys that came in did well but they’re your experience, your legs and your goals. That’s what we’ve got to look forward to on Wednesday.”
Aberdeen had been 10 factors behind Hearts in February and regardless of shedding at Tynecastle on Saturday their bid to safe European group-stage soccer stays in their very own fingers.
“It’s different questions to what you were asking me three months ago,” stated Robson, making an attempt to intensify the positives. “10 factors we had been behind. Now two factors forward with two video games to go and three high gamers to come back again.
“I’m alright, I’m looking forward to the game on Wednesday.”
Hearts – who’ve a superior purpose distinction to Aberdeen – want to select up two extra factors than the Dons over the course of the final two video games if they’re to complete third.
The Jambos go to Rangers on Wednesday earlier than internet hosting metropolis rivals Hibs on the final day, whereas the Dons journey to champions Celtic after enjoying Saints in midweek.
“I think it is an interesting week now,” stated Hearts boss Steven Naismith, who took over from the sacked Robbie Neilson final month.
“This win has clawed us again to a lot nearer to Aberdeen than we had been earlier than the sport.
“We go into the following week with two video games once more trying to trigger extra issues than the groups we come up towards and provides ourselves an opportunity.
“That is all we are able to do. From the place the group was sitting (when Naismith took cost), the morale, all the pieces, it was actually powerful to show round.
“We have done a really good job of doing that, bringing in an attacking style of football which was pleasing for me.”
Hearts haven’t received away to Rangers for nearly 9 years however Naismith is assured they will ship a robust efficiency at Ibrox on Wednesday.
“We can go and compete for sure, I really believe that,” he stated. “Today gives me a lot of confidence in terms of how we were calm, controlled in our possession.”
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