Dons boss Robinson taking inspiration from Hearts

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson is taking inspiration from Hearts' Scottish Premiership title push as he looks to return them to the top six.

The Dons ended last season in ninth and have finished in the bottom half of the table in three of the last five seasons.

They host Hearts in their Premiership opener on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, with the Jambos still hurting from their final-day league decider against Celtic.

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Hearts did split the Old Firm, and Robinson believes the rest of the top-flight can take encouragement from that.

"It was fantastic for Scottish football and it shows that it can be done when it's, you know, the recruitment's right, the team spirit's right, then there is a possibility to go and challenge and make the league really competitive.

"It inspires everyone.

"Three of the last five years we've been in the bottom six, which isn't acceptable for a club this size.

"So, first and foremost, we need a bit of stability.

"We have to have consistency in what we're doing. The first aim is to make sure we're a top six side and then you look where you are from there."

Robinson replaced Jimmy Thelin at Pittodrie in March and has made 11 signings so far as he prepares for his first full season in charge.

"We came in to make sure we stayed in the division, he added.

"We had to play a certain way to do that and we've been able to reset that over the summer with numerous new sign-ins and a new atmosphere around the place so we're looking forward to the season.

"It's been a challenge for everybody at the club, there's a lot more goes into signings than just watching players.

"A lot of people in the background that don't get credit so a lot of tremendous work being done over the summer and I believe it brings a real freshness to the side and the football club."