Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has backed new signing Chris Cadden to silence his doubters, insisting the former Scotland international is in the prime of his career.
Cadden made his debut in Saturday's 2-1 win over Hearts after joining on a permanent deal from Hibs. Robinson believes signings from rival Scottish Premiership clubs are often underappreciated by fans, citing Brad Lyons and Lewis Mayo as previous examples.
Foreign imports favored
Robinson accepts that fans prefer foreign imports, saying: "When people come from abroad or England, they're (viewed as) fantastic players and most people have never seen them kick a ball. So that's the world we live in. I'm delighted with Chris."
He added: "He's had a fantastic career and he's still right in the prime of his career. That's what we have to remember. So I'm delighted to get him."
Desire to play
Robinson highlighted that Cadden was desperate to join Aberdeen and did not want to sit on the bench. "That's the big thing for me," he said. "We're in a society where a lot of people are quite happy just to sit on the bench and not play football. Chris could have sat at a very good club like Hibs and fought for a place there. But he wanted to come and play."
He added: "I know everything I'm getting from him. That desire and that enthusiasm to be an Aberdeen Football Club player is what we have to be recruiting - not people that are doing us a favour to come and play for the club."
Familiarity from Motherwell days
Robinson managed Cadden during his early days at Motherwell and has kept in touch since. He praised Cadden's versatility, noting he can play right back, right wing back, or on the right of a front three.
"He's a fantastic boy. His enthusiasm, the culture that he creates at the football club, that's exactly what I want here," Robinson said. "I'm getting exactly what it says on the tin - an experienced SPL player who's in the prime of his career, that'll deliver crosses. Loads of pace, loads of energy and a fantastic boy around the football club."
Aberdeen will look to continue their winning start when they travel to Dundee this weekend.
