Leven: Mood in Dons camp is good – despite disruption

ABERDEEN caretaker manager Peter Leven is confident there is enough talent, professionalism and belief in the squad and continuity in the coaching staff to brush off the latest disruption.

Leven has been placed in temporary charge for the second time in six weeks after Neil Warnock departed in the wake of Saturday’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup victory over Kilmarnock.

The first-team coach guided the Dons through a draw with Celtic on February 3 following the dismissal of Barry Robson and his assistant, Steve Agnew, before Warnock and right-hand man Ronnie Jepson were hired to take the club through to the end of the season.

That appointment did not work as intended as Aberdeen’s run without a Premiership win stretched to 10 matches.

Now Leven gets the chance to stabilise their league campaign in games at Dundee tonight and Motherwell on Saturday, before the club attempt to make a longterm appointment.

The former Kilmarnock and MK Dons midfielder admitted he was a “little bit” surprised to be back in charge. “After the game I got asked if I’d take the next two games,” the 40-year-old said.

“I’ve always said I would always help the club any way I can. Obviously the club are going through a process – and Neil knew that at the time – to appoint a permanent manager.

“I have been here since the start of the season so they know how I work. And I think Saturday’s result helped. The mood in the camp is really good.

“They are good players, there is a lot of talented players in there. I said to believe in yourself and let’s just try and take our form from Saturday into the next two games.

“I’m still here, Scott Anderson is still here, Sammy (Craig Samson) is still here. The main core of staff are still here. So nothing really changes in that aspect.”

Leven appreciated Warnock’s farewell message and the experience of working with the 75-year-old.

“He just said ‘go and do your thing, you are a top coach, I loved working with you’, he is always here if I need him,” Leven said.

“I learned a lot from him.”