CALENDAR CHEER

Robson insists 2023 was a successful year overall for Dons but he knows they now have to do it all over again

- SCOTT BURNS

BARRY ROBSON helped Aberdeen hit the heights last year now he wants them to do it again in 2024.

The former Dons star stepped up with his old side's season spiralling out of control.

He steadied the ship as caretaker boss then led them from the bottom six to a money-spinning third-place Premiership finish when handed the reins full-time.

That saw the Dons back in the European group stages for the first time in 16 years and they reached the Viaplay Cup final, where they Rangers last month.

It hasn't been a bad return in his first year in the job but Robson knows he can't afford to rest on his laurels and needs the Pittodrie outfit to start climbing up the table towards the Euro spots.

A good run in the Scottish Cup, which they kick-off against lowly Clyde later this month, is also required.

Robson said: "It was great that we finished third in the league, but it wasn't so great to lose the cup final. That was frustrating for us.

"Our league form needs to be better, we all know that.

"We want to be in cup finals, to finish third in the league and to get to the group stages of European football.