Aberdeen's head coach, Stephen Robinson, is looking to Hearts' recent Scottish Premiership title push for inspiration as he aims to steer the Dons back into the top six. The team finished last season in ninth place and has spent three of the last five seasons in the lower half of the table.
This Saturday, they will host Hearts in their Premiership opener, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Hearts still reeling from their final-day league decider against Celtic. Despite this, Hearts managed to split the Old Firm, a feat Robinson believes the rest of the top-flight teams can draw encouragement from.
"It was a fantastic achievement for Scottish football, demonstrating that with the right recruitment and team spirit, it's possible to challenge and make the league more competitive. This inspires everyone," Robinson noted. With the Dons having spent three of the last five years in the bottom six, a performance Robinson deems unacceptable for a club of their size, his primary goal is to establish stability and consistency.
"First and foremost, we need stability. We must have consistency in our approach.
The initial aim is to ensure we're a top-six side, and then we can reassess our position from there," he stated. Since replacing Jimmy Thelin in March, Robinson has made 10 new signings as he prepares for his first full season at the helm. His initial objective upon taking the reins was to secure the team's place in the division, which involved adopting a specific playing style.
Over the summer, with numerous new signings and a renewed atmosphere, Robinson is optimistic about the upcoming season. "It's been a challenge for everyone at the club. A lot of work goes into signings beyond just scouting players. There are many unsung heroes in the background who deserve credit.
The tremendous work done over the summer brings a fresh perspective to the team and the club," he added.