Stephen Robinson goes into Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers with a confidence built on Hampden rather than recent Aberdeen form. The Aberdeen manager has a strong record in knockout games at Scotland's national stadium, and he believes that background matters when the pressure rises.
That confidence comes at a useful time for Aberdeen. On Wednesday night they lost at home to Falkirk, and their league form has been uneven, with three wins in 11 to start the Premiership season and four scoreless home league games in six.
Why Robinson believes Hampden still suits him
On Friday, Robinson said in his media conference that he is unbeaten in semi-finals at Hampden, and he pointed to that record as a reason to believe his side can handle the occasion. His broader point was simple: he knows how to get players ready for big matches, and he feels that strength becomes even more important in a one-off tie.
That is not empty talk. In December, he masterminded St Mirren's second ever League Cup triumph by beating Celtic in the final. Last season, his St Mirren side also knocked out Derek McInnes' Hearts on penalties in the Premier Sports Cup, underlining that his teams have tended to respond well when the stakes are highest.
The Hampden record behind the belief
Robinson's history at the stadium stretches back further too. In 2017-18, his Motherwell side beat Derek McInnes' Aberdeen 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the League Cup and then repeated the scoreline in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. In the same season, Pedro Caixinha's Rangers were beaten 2-0 by Motherwell in the League Cup semi-final.
More recently, 12 months ago, Robinson's team beat Motherwell 4-1 at Hampden in the League Cup semi-finals. Those results explain why he feels comfortable talking up his record ahead of another big cup tie.
What Aberdeen need on Saturday
The challenge now is whether that Hampden assurance can carry over into Aberdeen's latest test. Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final will ask different questions, and Aberdeen need more than just belief after a difficult spell in front of their own supporters.
For Robinson, the equation is clear. His recent form at Pittodrie has been under pressure, but his past at Hampden gives him a reason to stay calm. On Saturday, Aberdeen and Rangers will find out whether that record still counts for anything when a place in the final is on the line.
