Aberdeen 1-1 Dundee: 'No panic', says home manager Barry Robson after stalemate
- Published
Watch Robson's last interview as Aberdeen boss
Aberdeen manager Barry Robson insists "there is no panic from me" after his side's winless Scottish Premiership run extended to a third game in the 1-1 draw with Dundee.
The Dons missed the chance to go level on points with Hibernian, who started the evening sixth, with Dundee's point moving them above Hibs into the top half of the table.
Bojan Miovski's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Lee Ashcroft's header after the break as Aberdeen made it two points from nine in 2024.
Boos rang out around Pittodrie at full-time as the Aberdeen fans made their feelings about the result very clear.
Robson took over from Jim Goodwin one year and one day ago and won nine of his first 15 games in charge as Aberdeen finished third in the league and secured European group stage football.
However, this season the Dons have won just six times in 21 Premiership fixtures.
"It's not about me," said Robson. "It's about the players, preparing them for the next game. For me, the focus is on trying to win the game at the weekend. There is no panic from me."
Joe Shaughnessy fouled Ester Sokler and Miovski's penalty was slotted past Trevor Carson, despite the Dundee goalkeeper diving the right way.
Sokler thought he had made it two when his second-half strike hit the back of the net. However, he was denied by the offside flag.
Minutes later, Ashcroft levelled for Dundee. His initial effort was saved by Kelle Roos but the resulting corner from Owen Beck found Ashcroft's head and he made no mistake second time around.
Beck had earlier in the day sealed a return to Dundee on loan from Liverpool after spending the first half of the season at Dens Park. And he had a chance to win the game late on. Aberdeen's Shayden Morris lost the ball and it fell to the unmarked Beck, who lashed his shot just wide.
Player of the match - Owen Beck
The left-back picked up where he left off at Dundee and added an assist to his impressive season
Dundee look the more likely against lacklustre Aberdeen - analysis
Dundee looked like the side that deserved all three points and will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have bagged the win - particularly having conceded from a penalty kick.
Although Aberdeen went into half-time a goal to the good, they fell pretty flat in the second 45.
Had Sokler been onside for his disallowed goal it could potentially have been a very different game but ultimately the Dons did not create enough in the second half to steal all three points.
The noise from the fans at full-time will not make good listening for Robson and gives him a lot to think about before they face Celtic and then Rangers in their upcoming Premiership fixtures.
What the managers said
Aberdeen manager Barry Robson: "I'm frustrated for the players, they've put a lot into it. They're a big side, but we have to deal with that. What we can do is take our chances at the other end. We didn't play sparklingly well but we had enough control and chances to make sure we won."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "Coming to Pittodrie and picking up a point is not a bad result but I am a bit greedy. I am always looking for the ultimate reward for that and I think the players deserve it. I was without eight players and I think that just shows you the robustness and mentality of the squad I have got."
What's next?
Premiership leaders Celtic visit Aberdeen on Saturday (12:30 GMT) before Dundee host Heart of Midlothian (15:00).