Continuity is key to Dons’ success, says ex-defender

Former Aberdeen defender Brian Irvine believes restoring continuity is the Dons’ route back to success.

The search for a new Aberdeen manager continues, with the club’s hopes of having a new boss in place before the end of the international break passing without an appointment being made.

With three managers having come and gone since Derek Mcinnes departed in 2021, Irvine, who spent two years at Dundee after leaving the Dons, believes a period of stability is required.

He said: “You’ve got to go back to the Mcinnes days for when continuity was there.

“When you look at that period the improvement was there and the continuity at the time was a big reason for that.

“(Interim manager) Peter Leven is getting a response from the players but he is not in the running for the job.

“Given what happened with (former boss) Barry Robson it makes sense, as the club won’t want to risk a repeat of what has happened this season happening again 12 months from now.

“There’s a fine line between being successful and not, and you don’t know whether a new manager or an experienced manager is going to be a success until they are in the job.

“But it seems clear continuity is what the club needs.”

The process continues as the Dons prepare for a vital Premiership game against Ross County at Pittodrie on Saturday.

Aberdeen hold a three-point lead on the Staggies, who are in 11th place, and Irvine, who scored the winning penalty in the shootout in the 1990 Scottish Cup final, believes home advantage could determine the outcome.

He said: “The ball is in Aberdeen’s court. They are three points clear of County and are at home.

“I’ve always looked at them as too big a club to be dragged into this position and I still feel Aberdeen are favourites to get a result.

“Don Cowie has done well and County are capable. But most of their points have come at home which is why I’d be confident Aberdeen can get a result.

“If both teams play to their full potential you would take Aberdeen to come out on top.

“But it’s new ground for Aberdeen, certainly in recent years, and how they handle it all is key.”

“County have good experience of this situation and having beaten Partick in the play-offs last season, they will feel calm in this situation.

“The close call last year will stand them in good stead.”

Brian Irvine was an Aberdeen defensive rock.