Fired-up Aberdeen boss Barry Robson has issued a “we keep fighting” message in the face of a tough run of post-split fixtures.
The Dons will face Celtic, Rangers and Hearts away from home in the remaining five league matches as Robson’s in-form side bid to secure a third-placed finish.
Aberdeen will play Premiership leaders and champions-elect Celtic at Parkhead for the third time in the league this season.
Robson believes the fixtures have “gone against” Aberdeen, but has urged his team to “stay strong”.
The Dons, five points clear in third, secured a seventh straight victory when overcoming Rangers 2-0 at Pittodrie on Sunday.
A third-placed finish could secure Aberdeen a bumper European football cash bonus.
The club who finish third could land around £3 million in UEFA prize money and Euro action until December – if Celtic or Rangers win the Scottish Cup.
Third place in the Premiership also secures a £3.5 million prize payment.
That is £2.55 million more than the £1.45 payment for ninth – Aberdeen’s finishing position last season.
Robson said: “It is three away games we are looking at as usual.
“All the things go against us with the away games, but that doesn’t matter to us.
“We stay strong and keep fighting and performing.”
Boss upbeat despite difficult fixtures as they try to finish Euro job
The Dons will then host Hibs on Saturday May 13, a game which will double as the Gothenburg Greats 40th anniversary homecoming match, with a potential third-placed shootout with fourth-placed Hearts scheduled for Saturday May 20 at Tynecastle.
They then take on St Mirren in a midweek home fixture on Wednesday May 24. It will be the third time Aberdeen have played St Mirren at home this season.
The Reds call time on the season with the trip to Premiership champions-elect Celtic on Saturday May 27 (12.30pm).
That game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Reds have already travelled to Celtic in the league opener on July 31 (2-0) loss and February 18 (4-0 loss).
Aberdeen have played Celtic just once at Pittodrie this season: a 1-0 loss on December 17.
Under Robson, the Dons have racked up a longest winning streak since 2015 to move up to pole position for a third-placed finish.
The team who finish third could go into the Europa League play-offs, just one round away from the lucrative group stages and a £3.2 million payment.
Even if the play-off is lost, there is the safety net of parachuting into the Conference League group stages, which brings a £2.7 million payment and group stage action until mid-December.
Aberdeen’s trip to Hearts on Saturday May 20 looks like it could be a showdown for third and the rewards which come with it.
Robson said: “Hearts had a terrific win at the weekend (6-1 v Ross County) and we have to play them away.
“It is not going to be easy.
“We will also have to play Rangers away, which will also be difficult.
“Progress is being made, but winning games is the most important thing after the split.”
🗓️ Our top six post-split fixtures have been confirmed.#StandFree | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/ms7ESXEK29
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) April 25, 2023
‘Fitness or freshness’ question
The Reds have a free weekend as there are no Premiership fixtures on Saturday or Sunday due to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Robson will decide on whether or not to give his squad downtime before the league fixture run-in.
He said: “We have some difficult games coming up, but we have a free week.
“It is trying to work out what is best – is it fitness or freshness?
“That is the hard part and the bit we have to think about.
“Do we rest them up for a few days?
“But we also need to train.
“We will try to get that right this week then see what the split brings us.”
SPFL offer fixture explanation
SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie has explained why Aberdeen will travel to Celtic for a third time this season.
As mentioned, the Reds also have a third home game against St Mirren.
Beattie says the aim is to avoid reversing fixtures which have a key impact on the league title, the race for Europe and the relegation battle.
However, he admitted it is not always possible.
Beattie said: “To achieve the 19/19 home/away balance, five pairings have been reversed in the post-split schedule for 2022/23.
“In the top six, Celtic host Aberdeen for a third time, Aberdeen are at home to
St Mirren for a third time, and Hibernian welcome Rangers to Easter Road for a third time.
“In the bottom six, Motherwell host Dundee United for a third time and
Kilmarnock will play St Johnstone at Rugby Park for a third time.
“We generally aim for the fewest switches possible and try to avoid reversing fixtures that have a key impact on the league title, the race for Europe and the battle to avoid relegation.
“But the reality is that this is not always possible.
“We try to avoid reversing the big city derbies and may also take into account what has happened with the post-split fixtures in previous years.”
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