Stephen Robinson has backed new captain Kevin Nisbet to lead Aberdeen from the frontline. The Scotland international has been named the Dons' new skipper, with Brad Lyons as his vice.
Robinson confirmed that Nisbet will lead the group but will have a group of leaders underneath him to shoulder the responsibility and run the dressing room.
“There is a big deal made about the captaincy. There are four or five people who will organise things and lead the standards at the football club. Kevin knows the football club and the standards, which was so important with so many new players coming in. Him and Brad know the league and that was important. The leadership group we have put together is one that will drive the football club forward. Goalscorers are very hard to find. Kevin has started the season well and will take that responsibly on-board. He already has, in terms of around the football club and everything that comes with being a captain. It won’t be one person doing everything. There will be a lot of people having a say as well. Him and Brad will lead the changing room and the players.”
Chris Cadden adds experience
The Dons boss has also made his 12th signing ahead of the Premiership kick-off, bringing in Chris Cadden from Hibs. Robinson previously worked with the Scotland cap during his time at Motherwell, and Cadden will add competition up the right-hand side.
“What Chris gives us is a vast amount of experience in the league,” Robinson insisted. “He has played for a team that has been high up the division for many years now. I worked with Chris when he was a younger player. I have a great knowledge of him as a player and a person. He is another player who will make the squad a lot stronger. When I came in we had a lot of variation in ages, but what we have now is players in their prime and people making their way in the game. Everyone we bring in now I believe will strengthen the squad.”
Further transfer business
Aberdeen want to continue adding to the squad, but some fringe players will need to leave first to free up wages.
“We have to have people go out first of all - I think that's very clear. My appreciation was to the board, I said a few weeks ago, that I was allowed to do this business before everybody went out. We've had some people move on, which Lutz has done very well with. There's other things in the offing that haven't quite happened yet, but we expect that to happen in the coming weeks.”
Striker Peter Ambrose is one of those likely to exit. He has hardly featured over the last year and has turned down a recent move to Israel.
Hearts test at Pittodrie
Aberdeen open their league campaign against Hearts and will look to extend their strong home record against the Jambos. Robinson is not reading too much into Hearts' Champions League exit to Sturm Graz.
“I think Sturm-Graz are a very good side. You have to put that into context, those results. We've watched a lot of their pre-season friendly games. They've got a huge squad, a lot of players to pick from, so that's probably my biggest problem is picking their team. But every manager's got different styles, different ideas. But every time you play Hearts it's a tough game. We don't expect anything different. They will hopefully expect exactly the same coming to Pittodrie. We have to make Pittodrie a place to be feared, a place that people don't enjoy coming to again and that hasn't been often enough in the last five years.”
Team news
Mats Knoester is back in training but the game comes too early, while Emmanuel Gyamfi misses out as he is set for an injection next week.
