Aberdeen turned to Robinson after his work making Motherwell and St Mirren stronger after starting at a low ebb late in the season.

In Paisley, he won just one of his first eight league games after taking over in late February 2022 but ended the season with two wins and two draws to steer them into ninth place.

Likewise at Motherwell he came in after the transfer window closed in late February 2017 after Mark McGhee's sacking, with the club sitting 11th.

Four wins in 12 games was enough to avoid the play-offs by three points. The Aberdeen boss has done it before but has less time and greater pressure to change things at Pittodrie.

But he also proved in those two jobs that after spells on the training ground with his squad, whether after pre-season or winter breaks, his teams often put runs together.

That's why this international break may have come at the right time for Aberdeen, with Robinson confident things have improved since his strong words after the Rangers defeat.

"[The players] have been excellent, the response has been very, very good," he said.

"When we tell home...