Barry Robson is hopeful a return to winning ways for Aberdeen will be the perfect boost for chairman Dave Cormack after his open heart surgery.
The Aberdeen chairman will undergo a triple heart bypass surgery on Friday after a health check revealed significant blockages in his arteries.
Robson – acting as interim Aberdeen boss after Jim Goodwin’s dismissal – is keen to allow Cormack to focus on his personal recovery while he aims to restore the club to a healthy run of form.
“He’s an Aberdeen fan and all he wants is what is best for the club. That’s clear for everyone to see,” said Robson when asked if a win could boost Cormack’s morale during a difficult time.
“It’s not a great time for him at the minute. Obviously, he has a health issue which is a private thing for him and his family. Everyone at the club wishes him well as he looks to get back to full health.
“Our job here is to keep running the club and keep moving us forward to let him focus on his recovery from what is a big operation.
“He has run a business with 800 people for years so I’m not sure it’s the football club which has affected him.
“I think all of us probably need to get a health check at a certain age. I probably need to get one myself.
“We’re just getting on with trying to win football games. That’s the most important thing we can do.”
Cormack addressed his upcoming operation in a message to supporters on Sunday and reaffirmed his commitment to the club – even if he’ll have an enforced period for needed rest and recovery.
For Robson, it’s clear that Cormack only wants what is best for the club and is an Aberdeen supporter himself – a fact that is perhaps overlooked on occasion.
“Of course they are,” said the interim first-team manager. “I don’t think Dave came in just to put money in to run a club. He’s supported the club for years as Stewart Milne has.
“They’ve driven to games all over the country for years because they are football fans. If you can get someone at your club who is a football fan then that’s great.
“I don’t know if the guys at clubs like Manchester City are fans or investors but I know the guys we have had here are fans who want the best for Aberdeen.”
With Cormack undergoing surgery and incoming chief executive Alan Burrows not yet in place at Pittodrie, Robson is heading into his fourth match in charge of Aberdeen with the search for a new manager ongoing.
Burrows – who will join from Motherwell on Monday – will take over the reins in the management search, but Robson admitted he hasn’t yet had the chance to speak to the CEO.
“The statement was clear,” said Robson of the most recent recruitment update on the search for a manager. “We will wait until Alan Burrows comes in on Monday and I am sure we will sit down and have a conversation.
“At the minute, I have not spoken to the board. My focus has been on the players and the training pitch and dealing with the staff we have.
“I am enjoying it and hopefully we can get a good result. That is where we are at. We take Livingston and then I am sure we will have a conversation and see where we are.”
While Robson could be distracted by the short-term position as first-team manager, he has been anything but – instead diving head first into the role with total dedication.
In fact, Robson reckons he is seeing more of his players and coaching staff than his family since taking the job.
“I always do that, he said. “That is what the missus will tell you but I think she has been glad about that. “I am always busy. We just love football and everything we do is just based around it.”
“I’m not doing the sleeping routine at the minute,” he added when asked about his long days on the training pitch and in his office.
“That’s one thing I have not had the time to do, my normal exercise – I’ve not had the chance to get out on my bike or do any running. I’m sure the missus will be back onto me about that.”
