Dons defender Rubezic is ‘dying to play’ against Hoops at Hampden

SLOBODAN Rubezic is “dying” to play at Hampden next week according to Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven.

Leven confirmed last week Montenegro international Rubezic was set for a surprise return to the squad for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic on April 20.

With the defender hoping to rejoin his team-mates next week, Leven insists the imposing centre-half is chomping at the bit at the prospect of facing the Hoops.

The Dons interim boss said: “Rubi is dying to play in the semi-final and it is the target for him now.

“He is in and out a little bit now, but he is looking really, really good.

“Rubi is about a week away from full training, full integration.

“It will be a big plus to have him back, but I think Dundee might be a little bit too close.”

The central defender has been absent since suffering a knee injury in the Dons’ 1-1 draw with St Johnstone on January 24.

It was feared Rubezic’s season was over due to the injury, but scans showed he did not require surgery.

Rubezic’s imminent return to the first-team squad will bolster a defence who have kept two clean sheets in the last three matches under Leven.

It was one positive for the interim boss from Saturday’s goalless draw at Livingston, which consigned the Dons to the bottom six of the Premiership this season.

Bojan Miovski’s late goal was ruled out for offside, to the disappointment of the interim manager, who is planning on improving the attacking threat of the team ahead of Saturday’s visit of Dundee.

Leven said: “We showed bravery getting on the ball, but we missed that spark on the edge of the box.”

Slobodan Rubezic has his sights on Hampden.