Stephen Robinson met with the media on Friday morning ahead of Saturday night's trip to Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup.

RedTV subscribers can watch his press conference in full now

Hicham Mahou

“He brings a lot of pace. I believe we needed another wide player, whether we play a back three or back four. I think it’s important we have people that go past people, and he certainly does that.

“So, he will take a little while to get up to speed with his lack of game time over the last few months. But he’s somebody we believe definitely adds to the squad.

“He’s available. Fitness levels, obviously, he’s not played for a long time, so we just have to assess that today.”

The free agent market

“I think the longer it goes, the harder it is. The less time guys have played. So I’d say that’s done for now."

Team news

“Stuart Armstrong pulled out of training. Kevin Nisbet didn’t train the first two days of the week, so they’ll have late checks today."

A semi-final chance

“It’s a chance to get to Hampden. Whatever way you dress it up, at whatever stage of the season, it’s a fantastic opportunity. I’ve been lucky to be there twice in the last few months, so I’m trying to make it a third time.

“And we’re looking forward to it. A chance, as you say, to get to Hampden. We’ll take a lot of fans down, backing the players as always, and we’re looking forward to it.

“I believe if we step up our game, then we’ve got a real chance of winning and progressing. And I thought they were a good side. I said before the game, they’ve got players that can hurt you. Greg Kiltie, playing in little pockets, hurts people.

“So it’s important we’re prepared for that, but we’ve all seen each other, we’ve all tested each other. And it’s about who can implement the bits I would imagine he’s trying to implement to beat us, and the same for myself.”

Moving on

“You get criticism when you don’t win football matches. Home games, we’re expected to win. You have to be big enough to take that, strong enough to take that, and try and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“I think determination’s been the word I can use this week. The boys are extremely determined to progress in the cup and change the outlook. Obviously, as you say, something to look forward to. There’s been a positivity and determination around the camp.

“You play Rangers and Celtic, mental fatigue as well, with a day’s less rest. So that’s gone. No, they’re very much looking forward to the three games in a week and obviously it gives you an opportunity to win more games and progress in a cup."

Andrew Fasanya

“I don’t think there’s many 15-year-olds who have made their debut in the Premiership for Aberdeen. So, we think very, very highly of him.

“But also, he’s 15. He had school yesterday, so he obviously doesn’t train on a Thursday. But he actually got a knock on his toe in the KDM game as well, the one you’re referring to.

“So Andrew’s maybe not 100% fit now. So we just, again, have to test him today. But we have to be a little bit wary. He’s 15. They have to manage that situation, and he certainly is one with a big future ahead of him.”

Dealing with criticism

“I’ve got a beautiful wife, an absolutely gorgeous wife, and two great sons, and four dogs. I’m not lonely, certainly not lonely. I’ve got the support where I need it.

“And I’ve got a lot of support from a lot of Aberdeen fans as well. So, unfortunately, the loud ones are heard more often than the positive people.

“But you come to a club like Aberdeen, you expect that. When you’re not winning games, you have to accept that. You have to deal with it. It happens in football. It’s certainly not just Aberdeen. It’s every football club in the land, and it comes with the territory.

“I don’t hear it. I’ve got a lot of belief in the squad and a lot of belief in the staff that I have here.

“You have to shut the noise out. You know, it’s out there. You know what’s out there. You have to deal with that.

“But I’m not young, so I’m not on social media. I don’t read anything. But, as I said, there’s a determination around the place to move forward, to keep moving forward.”

Perspective

“There was always going to be big changes at this football club. It’s my job to give it stability. It’s my job to keep calm when you win, keep calm when you lose, and again, keep a perspective on everything. That’s my favourite expression.

“It doesn’t matter how you get there. You find a way to win the match. The last time we came to Kilmarnock, we beat them in the quarter-final to get the semi at Hampden. So it’s an opportunity for both teams to progress.”

Kilmarnock

“An opportunity to get to Hampden, as I said, and we’re very determined to do that.

“It’s a brilliant surface. I live down there. It’s my local club, Kilmarnock, so I know all about it. It’s a fantastic football club, and Billy Bowie has been fantastic for Kilmarnock.

“He’s now invested in a really state-of-the-art pitch. So, no excuses.”

Repaying the fans

“That’s what we want to do. That’s what you ultimately want every Saturday (send the fans home happy). Did we deserve that after the game? Yeah, as a group, as a staff, we know that. That’s part and parcel of football now. You deal with that. You don’t dwell on it.

“And you have to go and try and make up for it and continue doing what we’re doing and not get too down, and keep believing in what we’re doing.

“And we’d love to send them up the road on Saturday night very, very happy, on a long journey up north.”