Aberdeen interim boss Barry Robson showed he had a passion and drive to succeed even as an emerging teenager, according to former Caley Thistle midfielder Richie Hart.
Signed as an 18-year-old by Steve Paterson for Caley Thistle in 1997, Robson, who was a Rangers youth player, took time to find his feet in the Highlands.
However, a loan stint at Forfar Athletic was a winning move for the tremendous talent, who returned to ICT and shone for the club for six years before clinching a move to Dundee United.
His career advanced and he starred for Celtic, Middlesbrough, Vancouver Whitecaps, Sheffield United and the Dons, and made 17 appearances for Scotland between 2007 and 2012.
After sacking boss Jim Goodwin in late January with the club knocked out the Scottish Cup by sixth tier Darvel and plummeting down the table, Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack handed Robson, the development club manager, the position on an interim basis.
With five wins from seven games, Robson was last week confirmed as boss at least until the end of the season.
Robson flourished after Loons’ loan
Hart, who spent six sparkling years as a Caley Jags midfielder from 2002, recalled Robson’s early days at the Caledonian Stadium and knew he had the potential, highlighted by his character.
He said: “Barry was always a whingey, moany guy when he was a young player, but you don’t mind that from a team-mate if they can perform.
“He was a brilliant team-mate and a pleasure to have at our club. He delivered for us in the big games. He had big performances in him and scored some really important goals. Barry was great from set-pieces, was strong as an ox.
“Having come through the (youth) ranks at Rangers, you could see he had those values instilled in him at an early age.
🏆 Barry Robson is the Scottish Premiership @GlensVodkaLLG Manager of the Month for March 2023.
👏 Well done to Barry and his team. pic.twitter.com/bR5cqcBCyn
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) March 29, 2023
“When Steve (Paterson) signed him for Caley Thistle, it was unclear which way his career would go and he went on loan to Forfar Athletic.
“He dropped down a level, but found his way back. He performed at Caley Thistle and got his move to Dundee United and then Celtic.
“Barry went on to have an unbelievable playing career. That’s testament to his character. He had that passion and drive within him to overcome any difficulties early on in his career.
“He’s done a great job as a coach at Aberdeen and you can see that with the young players coming through. He was, in many ways, the ideal guy to step into the job.
“Making it a position until the end of the season is a great move by Aberdeen. They have nothing to lose after being in a terrible state of form.
“If they finish the season well, Barry will put himself in a really strong position to get the job longer term. Fingers crossed he does. If he does, he will deserve it.”
Exciting times will follow key results
Hart, who helped Inverness win promotion to the top-table in 2004, is sure the exciting style Robson demonstrated as a player will be mirrored before long by his team.
However, delivering enough wins in the closing weeks to secure European football will top the agenda.
He said: “Given the players Barry has played with in his career and the managers he’s worked under, he will also have his own ideas. He’s always been a forward-thinker. He loved scoring and setting up goals.
“Under Pele (Steve Paterson) at Inverness, we always played on the front foot. If a team scored three against us, we’d score five.
“So, I’d expect Barry to bring a style of play to Aberdeen which the fans will appreciate, although right now, for this season, I don’t think the fans will care too much – it’s all about results.
“If they can finish in the top-four, he will have done an unbelievable job, given where they were when he took over as the interim manager.”
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