Robson demands Dons bring their best for finale

BARRY ROBSON has demanded that his Aberdeen players do not take their foot off the gas at Celtic Park just because they have already sewn up third place. The Dons sealed the best-of-the-rest position in the Premiership and likely European group-stage football next term by beating St Mirren 3-0 in midweek. With little to play for other than personal pride this afternoon, there is a possibility the visitors could be lacking the competitive edge they have shown during their drive for Europe since the split. However, Robson (right) is adamant there is no chance his team will slip into holiday mode for their final match of the campaign. ‘The players deserve a huge amount of credit for how they have performed but the message was made clear in training that the season isn’t over yet,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a huge game to come. The sign of a good team is being able to go right to the very end and we need to go to the very end because Celtic Park is one of the hardest places you’ll ever go to play football, especially against an Ange Postecoglou team who are relentless in the way they play.’

Robson will be forced into two changes as on-loan Hoops defender Liam Scales is ineligible to face his parent club, while striker Bojan Miovski was carried off injured against St Mirren and will see a specialist on Monday. Beyond that, Robson is of no mind to tinker with his team too much as he wants to ensure Aberdeen have a chance of finishing with a win. ‘No,’ he said when asked if he was planning to mix his team up. ‘We’re going down to the best team in the country. ‘I’ve been in this game far too long and you can’t take a game lightly. I’m not a big believer in playing friendlies either. Every game means something.’