Robinson 'shuts noise out' to focus on elusive win

Embattled Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson cut a bullish figure at his Friday media conference before a hugely significant League Cup tie. The early pressure is building after a disappointing start to the Premiership campaign, with the Dons taking one point from their past four games and failing to score in each. Having been roundly booed by their own fans after last weekend's goalless draw at Kilmarnock, can the Dons secure a much-needed victory in Saturday's quarter-final at Rugby Park? Speaking prior to the trip to Ayrshire, Robinson said: "I don't hear it (the outside noise). I am very, very experienced in what I do, I have a lot of belief in the squad and the staff that I have here so you have to shut the noise out. "You know it is out there, you have to deal with that, but I am not young so I am not on social media. So I don't read anything but there is a determination around the place to move forward to keep moving forward. "Did we deserve that (booing) after the game? Yes, as a group, as a staff, we know that. That is part and parcel of football now, you deal with that, you don't dwell on it and you have to go and try and make up for it." In the aftermath of last week's game with Kilmarnock, Robinson said his team looked tired. So does he have any concerns going into a run of three away games in a week - at Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Hibs? He said: "It is a little bit different, you play Rangers and Celtic, it is mental fatigue as well with a day's less rest, so that is gone. "They are very much looking forward to the three games in a week and obviously it gives you an opportunity to win more games and progress in the cup." Over the last number of years there have been more lows than highs for Aberdeen - their 2025 Scottish Cup success being the glaring exception. From the outside looking in, the managerial hotseat can look a lonely place to be amid testing times. Not so for Robinson, he insists. "I have a beautiful wife, an absolutely gorgeous wife and two great sons and four dogs, so I am not lonely, certainly not lonely. "I have got the support where I need it and I have got a lot of support from a lot of Aberdeen fans as well so unfortunately the loud ones are heard more often than the positive people. "But you come to a club like Aberdeen you expect that. When you are not winning games you have to accept that, you have to deal with it. It happens in football, it is certainly not just Aberdeen."