Aberdeen have deservedly jumped up to third in the Premiership – but I believe there is still further improvement to come from the Reds.
That can only bode well in the race to secure the potential European riches which could come with third.
The pendulum in the battle for that spot behind Celtic and Rangers took a momentous swing in Aberdeen’s favour at the weekend.
A 2-o defeat of Kilmarnock leapfrogged the Reds over Hearts, who lost by the same scoreline at home to St Mirren.
The Tynecastle club then axed manager Robbie Neilson after that loss as their dramatic drop in form continued.
Aberdeen are now in pole position to secure the riches which will likely come with third spot.
The club that finishes third will be guaranteed European group stage action until Christmas – should Celtic or Rangers win the Scottish Cup.
The Premiership’s third-placed club will then go into the Europa League play-off round next season.
That is only a two-legged tie away from the £3.2m prize pot of Europa League group stage qualification.
Should they lose their play-off, then the third-place finisher still parachutes into the Europa Conference League groups.
That is a mouth-watering prospect and it is within touching distance for the Dons.
To secure a third-placed finish, Aberdeen not only have to maintain their impressive form – but also improve on it.
If they can do that, there is no reason why they cannot finish the season in third place.
Manager Barry Robson has overseen a sensational turnaround with an impressive run of five straight wins.
Robson has brought stability to the club and the Dons have built real momentum.
In contrast, Hearts have suffered a dramatic demise.
Aberdeen have to be applauded for taking full advantage of it.
Robson was placed in charge of the Dons until the end of the season and is still going through that audition to secure the job longer term.
However, his audition is getting stronger and stronger with each game.
Robson is certainly putting forward a strong case to be permanent manager for next season.
If they can wrap up third place and guaranteed group stage football until Christmas that would be a tremendous boost for the club.
There has been a lot of turmoil within Aberdeen this season, yet a third-placed finish is now there for the taking.
Landing the multi-million-pound Euro riches which could come with third would give the club a brilliant platform to go into next season.
At Tynecastle, it is not so positive.
Unfortunately for Neilson, the Hearts fans turned against him.
Neilson led Hearts to promotion, cup finals, a third-placed finish and Europe but there was a feeling he had to maintain that form.
Recent form hasn’t been acceptable for Hearts.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Robbie Neilson.
We'd like to thank Robbie for all of his efforts. A full statement from the Board of Directors will be released in due course. No further comment will be made today.
ℹ️⬇️
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) April 9, 2023
Even though he had that history of recent success behind him, once fans turn there is normally only one outcome.
And that is the manager leaving his post. That is just football.
Very rarely does a club’s board hang on to a manager who isn’t delivering results.
St Johnstone did that last season when retaining faith in manager Callum Davidson through tough times.
But it is very unusual, because a board tends to make the decision to axe a manager to keep the fanbase happy.
It is a huge fanbase at Hearts who are piling in their money in terms of the foundation and their high season ticket numbers.
Football is an emotional game and every Hearts fan will surely have thought there is no way they wouldn’t finish third this season, because the lead they held was so great and their squad is so big.
When that lead disappeared, there was only going to be one outcome.
Supporters were not happy at Tynecastle and invariably the manager takes the fall.
In contrast, Aberdeen supporters are enjoying the form under Robson’s management.
Now the Dons have to keep that going in a tough game away to Ross County on Friday evening.
Duuuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkk.
👏 A well worked team goal.#StandFree | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/BuTVpJxuoT
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) April 9, 2023
Robson gets Aberdeen back to basics
During his time as manager, Barry Robson has got Aberdeen back to basics – where every team should be.
Robson has recognised that a solid defence is the foundation of any successful team. because, if the defence is leaking, you have no platform to build up momentum.
The need to tighten up the defence had been glaring for most of the season.
Unfortunately for previous boss Jim Goodwin, he was maybe too wrapped up in the new style of how you should play the game. That front-foot style where goal-keepers pass to centre-backs inside the box.
That is okay if you are at the very top and a team like Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal.
The quality they possess allows the freedom to do that.
However, where we are at with Aberdeen is they have to have the basics right.
That has been sorted by Robson, who has put emphasis on making sure that defensive foundation is there.
The January arrivals of Angus MacDonald, Mattie Pollock and Graeme Shinnie have been key to getting the Dons back to basics and solid.
I know Shinnie was suspended for the win against Kilmarnock, but the captain will still have had an influence in the build up to the game.
Those three signings, along with the managerial change, have helped place an emphasis on shut-outs.
However. that doesn’t mean to say you don’t put emphasis on the attacking side as well.
Aberdeen’s attacking potency has been evident for most of the season with the Duk and Bojan Miovski combination.
Leighton Clarkson also brings the creativity in midfield.
Exciting teenage talent Alfie Bavidge
Aberdeen teen striker Alfie Bavidge looks to be a real talent who is quick, direct, strong and has confidence.
The 16-year-old was introduced as a substitute in the 77th minute of the 2-0 defeat of Kilmarnock.
He previously had a brief appearance when introduced in the final minute of the 3-1 win against Motherwell in February.
However, the weekend was the first real opportunity to see Bavidge in action for the Dons first team.
He produced an impressive performance.
Bavidge’s emergence is another good news story for Aberdeen’s youth development programme.
You must create space for young developing players to come through to the first team.
Aberdeen also have Ryan Duncan, another teenager who is playing well in the first team, and started and played well on Saturday.
Despite struggling to be influential this season, Connor Barron has also made an impact in the first team, having come through the youth system.
You need between three to six youth players in the squad at any given time – otherwise the youth development programme isn’t working.
Aberdeen’s programme is working and is creating quality within the squad.
It is also giving manager Barry Robson different options.
Although a host of signings have been made this season, there is still space for young players to show what they can do, and Aberdeen have that route for young players to come through to the first team
The club have had that route throughout the years.
Last summer youth academy graduate Calvin Ramsay sealed a multi-million move to Premier League giants Liverpool.
It is great to see a young talent like Bavidge burst on to the scene and show he has real potential.
At the age of 16, he has plenty of time to mature and develop.
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