Derek McInnes used to secure most of his signings for Aberdeen in the plush surroundings of Gleneagles. But, when it came to landing a deal for Barry Robson, the terms were thrashed out and agreements concluded at a Granite City chippy.
McInnes only dished up a one-year deal. He even made Robson pay for the meal. But he knew he was getting a stalwart worth his salt. That negotiation came a decade ago back in 2013 and, despite the passing of time, the pair have remained close.
Robson went on to play three years for McInnes at Pittodrie having been his team-mate back in the day at Dundee United. Once that playing career at Pittodrie was at an end with 17 caps for Scotland in his locker, Robson moved into coaching at the behest of the now Kilmarnock manager. The pair will now go head-to-head as bosses for the first time when McInnes takes his Ayrshire outfit back to his old haunt.
For 90 minutes, the duo will be fierce competitors in the technical area, but the pair will be pals again once its done and dusted having forged a close bond through the years dating way back to the days when the Killie gaffer was a player at Rangers. Looking back, he smiled: “He was one of my first signings when I got the Aberdeen job. I knew exactly what I was getting.
"Other players I used to sign after talks at Stewart Milne’s place at Gleneagles. With Barry, I did my signing talks at the Ashvale chippy in Aberdeen. And I made him pay it! I gave him a one-year contract when he wanted two and I kept giving him contracts because he was so good.
“I first came across him as a youngster at Rangers, then I became his team-mate at Dundee United and we always kept in touch. He was just a boy I instantly liked since I met him. I watched the difference in him and the maturity of him, he went on to have a really good career.
“Barry’s a player who did brilliantly well for me. He was someone I speak to regularly and he’s still a pal. When his playing career was over, I managed to find a coaching role for him at Aberdeen.
“Even when it got to the stage when I felt his contribution on the pitch was becoming less and less, I was determined to try and keep him. We actually manufactured a role so that we could keep him at the club. There wasn’t really a role there for him in terms of staff.
“But the club were good enough to support me on that and what a brilliant member of the team he was for me. We got him started off doing some video analysis and a hybrid role dipping between the under-18s and the reserves with Paul Sheeran, but he was key in the dressing room for me on a Saturday and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
What McInnes had seen during those days in his dressing room and around the training days at the Dons had been noted by Pittodrie chiefs with Robson being handed the reins until the end of the season having taken over initially as interim after Jim Goodwin’s dismissal.
His bubbly personality has lifted the spirits of the players after their torrid time in the final days under their former manager where desperate defeats away to Hearts, Darvel and Hibs were shattering. McInnes said: “He has a good sense of humour. He was always ultra competitive and I always felt he had so much to offer, particularly on a match day.
“Over time he has developed. He maybe thought he would have had to leave to get the chance of Aberdeen manager if that was his ambition, but sometimes things transpire and it gives you your opportunity, as has happens now. He is so willing and so enthusiastic. He is hard working and now he is getting the opportunity to try and make a case for himself beyond this season. He has done well up to now.
“Barry was invaluable for me as a member of my coaching staff. The last two managers never used Barry, which is fine. But, for me, he is someone who would always be a great member of staff.”
Robson has certainly taken full advantage of his opportunity and McInnes goes into a game facing a Dons side who are up the up. The manager has helped piece a run of wins together and now has the Reds right on the coattails of third-placed Hearts.
With eight games to go, the target of European football is within Aberdeen’s reach and Robson is growing into the role week on week. McInnes knows it’ll be a challenge for his team as he said: “There are good players at Aberdeen. What he has done is simplify it. Playing forward and two goalscorers at the top of the pitch and Barry recognises that.
“He has got a tune out of the players, so good on him. He’s getting a wee bit more exposure to do the job. He’s made some good decisions.
“He’s brought in some good people around him, but his best attributes are his personality, his competitiveness, his enthusiasm. I know how keen he is to try and keep this going.”
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