Departing Aberdeen midfielder Barry Robson believes Aberdeen have their very own version of Diego Simeone in Derek McInnes.
Robson, 37, announced his retirement from the game after Sunday’s 4-0 defeat by Ross County, ending a three-year spell with his hometown team.
The Dons had endured four successive bottom six finishes when Robson joined Pittodrie in 2013. He leaves having helped the club end a 19-year wait for silverware by winning the 2014 League Cup as well as successive top-two finishes in the league for the first time in more than two decades.
This term saw Aberdeen mount a decent challenge for a first top-flight title since 1985 – only for their bid to falter over the closing stretch with six defeats in eight games.
But Robson feels the progress made huge strides in recent times and believes McInnes deserves the credit for the turnaround in fortunes.
The midfielder likens the Dons manager to Simeone, who has guided Atletico Madrid to a second Champions League final in three seasons, despite a vastly inferior budget to some of Europe’s biggest teams.
Robson sees no reason why Aberdeen can’t punch above their weight next term and compete with Celtic and Rangers as long as McInnes is at the helm.
He said: “People need to remember what Celtic’s budget is compared to Aberdeen’s as well as what Rangers’ budget will be.
“Everyone needs to be realistic and how we’ve challenged this season has been incredible. If we can add a little bit more and hold on to players as well then why shouldn’t we challenge?
“It’s amazing what you can do with good organisation, high levels of fitness, a good group of players and a manager who is meticulous in everything he does.
“You see it with Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
“It gives players that hope that you can go on and fight and have the belief that you can match the bigger clubs.
“Derek McInnes can do that and he has a group of players who can do that.”
But Robson says it is vital McInnes is given the necessary funds by the Aberdeen board in order to strengthen his squad for next season.
Rangers return to the top flight this summer and appear set to splash the cash having been linked with Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.
Robson feels McInnes must be given the finances to give the Dons the best possible chance of competing at the top end of the table.
He said: “He’ll need backing this summer; every manager needs backing in the close season.
“A manager needs as much money as he can get to improve the squad. That’s pretty basic and simple. But you can’t go and put the club in debt by living beyond your means.
“Stewart Milne does a lot for the club and there’s a great infrastructure at the club.
“As long as Derek continues to get the backing he does there’s no reason why the club cannot be back up challenging next season.”
Robson feels he is leaving a club that is much better shape than when he joined – and is optimistic that trend will continue in the coming seasons.
He added: “There’s a huge difference. We’re in Europe every year and there’s an excitement the manager has brought to the club.
“Attendances have increased with 4,000-5,000 of a difference on the average home gate.
“We won the League Cup and the club is in great hands with one of the best young managers in Scotland.
“New plans have just been revealed for a major new stadium and training complex and, while the chairman Stewart Milne won’t thank me for saying it, the club has got to hang on to Derek.
“I know Derek really enjoys working for Aberdeen and we have international players at Aberdeen again; not people like me who are former internationals but boys who are actually getting into the Scotland squad.
“That’s testament to the manager and the players coming into the club. It’s a really exciting time for Aberdeen and only four or five weeks ago we were neck and neck with Celtic. There’s a huge difference from the time I came in and it’s about maintaining that.”
