Barry Robson has finally been given the reins at Aberdeen after a very successful spell as interim manager, but now the hard work begins for the Aberdonian.
The Dons are currently on a seven-match winning streak and head to Ibrox on Sunday hoping to make it two wins out of two against Michael Beale's Rangers side. After Celtic's 1-0 win over the Light Blues at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final Beale admitted there was a huge rebuild at Ibrox, but it's not just in Govan where a revamp is needed. Robson, who is the first Aberdonian to take permanent charge of the Dons since Jocky Scott in 1988, will look to secure a third place finish in the league in order to secure European football at Pittodrie next season.
Once this rollercoaster of a season ends against Celtic at Parkhead, Robson's attention will swiftly turn to the rebuild on and off the park. Five players are currently out of contract at the end of the season, while the loans of some influential players are set to come to an end, add that to the Ross McCrorie hole to fill and who will make up his backroom staff?
Record Sport has looked at the huge rebuild Robson has to undertake and how if he gets it right, the Dons could be competing on all fronts next season.
Ross McCrorie
Aberdeen's vice-captain has been heavily linked with a move to Bristol City in the summer, and talks are believed to have already taken place between his representatives and the English Championship side. McCrorie joined the Dons in 2021 after a successful loan spell in the north-east from Rangers, and has been a constant since he arrived.
If he leaves in the summer then Robson will need to find a player to replace his leadership, versatility but most importantly his energy. His marauding runs down the right side have sparked panic in many opposition defences, while his leading from the front attitude will be sorely missed. McCrorie will often lift his team and the supporters with his high energy which has sometimes been needed during his time at Pittodrie.
His versatility may be seen by some as a weakness and why he hasn't reached a higher level, but for Robson it could be hard to replace. The 25-year-old has been able to slot into different positions at the club, from centre-back to sitting in front of the back line to right-back. Having a versatile player like McCrorie may not be essential in every squad but it is very handy to have.
Out of contract
Dean Campbell, Mason Hancock, Matty Kennedy, Connor McLennan and Marley Watkins are all out of contract at the end of the season. While none of them are expected to be kept on, Robson will be wary that if the Dons secure European group stage football next season he will need to bolster his squad.
Hearts under Robbie Neilson attempted to fight on a number of fronts and found it difficult with a relatively small squad. They were hit with injuries which saw them lose their grip on third place, only to get it back when Jim Goodwin's Dons side went on a disastrous run after the World Cup. Kennedy and Watkins, in particular, have played bit part roles this season so replacing them could be important. Having solid squad players will be important if the Dons want to sustain a run in the cup competitions while also churning out the league performances week in, week out during a European campaign when first team regulars need a rest from the Thursday, Sunday slog.
Loans ending
The loan market has been used, on the whole, quite well by the Dons this season with many being first-team regulars. Captain Graeme Shinnie is set to return to his parent club Wigan Athletic in the summer, however he could be travelling back to his home town after Shaun Maloney's side were relegated to League One. The Latics will need to balance the books and Shinnie could be one of the players they let go. Robson will be keen to jump on the chance to get Shinnie back to the Granite City as he has been pivotal to the energy he wants his team to play with since he took over from Jim Goodwin. His drive, leadership and organisation on the park is just what the Dons needed after Goodwin left.
Another player that will be missed if he doesn't return next season is Leighton Clarkson. The Liverpool loanee has flourished under Robson. With Shinnie and Ylber Ramadani protecting the back line, Clarkson has been able to affect the game further up. This is backed up in the stats: since Robson was appointed, he has had five assists while prior to him coming in, he only had two.
Mattie Pollock and Liam Scales have been part of a solid backline alongside Angus MacDonald. MacDonald has signed on for another two seasons so unless Pollock and Scales head back to the north-east then Robson has a huge rebuild in his defence to fix. With McCrorie also expected to leave, the Dons boss will have to find three first-team starters and back-up for injuries etc.
Hayden Clarkson, Jay Gorter, Dilan Markanday and Patrik Myslovič will also head back to their respective clubs but, again, have contributed to the squad this season.
Liam Fox
The former Dundee United manager joined the Robson revolution at Pittodrie at the end of March, just four weeks after being sacked by the Tannadice club. He was brought in to help Robson and Steve Agnew, who has also signed a contract extension, run the first-team, but also to help players making the move from the youth set-up to the senior squad. It's believed he has had discussions about remaining in the Granite City beyond this season, but if he decides against it then Robson will need to scour the market for another coach.
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