Stephen Robinson and Neil McCann Frustrated By Stalemate
Both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock will probably view their 0-0 draw at Pittodrie as a case of damage limitation, albeit for very different reasons.
For Aberdeen, another failure to win extends a difficult start and does little to ease the growing frustration around Stephen Robinson. The Dons have now failed to score in four of their opening five Premiership matches, with their only victory coming on the opening day against Hearts. For a club of Aberdeen’s stature, and with significant expectations placed on Robinson following a summer of recruitment, that is simply not good enough.
Robinson was blunt afterwards, admitting it was a “tired performance” which “lacked energy” and conceding that Aberdeen “got what we deserved”. There is an honesty to that assessment, but supporters will ultimately judge him on results. He has been given the opportunity to reshape the squad and impose his footballing identity. They will expect to see more evidence of that sooner rather than later.
Kilmarnock, meanwhile, can take considerably more encouragement from the point. After losing their first four league games, avoiding a fifth successive defeat was important, particularly given the unwanted historical comparison with McCann’s Dundee side of 2018.
Yet McCann’s assertion that Killie “should have won” also illustrates why the pressure remains. Supporters are not going to be satisfied simply because their team avoided defeat. They want tangible improvement from a manager who has also been allowed to bring in players capable of implementing his ideas.
Both Robinson and McCann have been entrusted with significant responsibility to build squads in their own image. That naturally raises expectations. Patience will only stretch so far when supporters believe the recruitment has been designed to produce better football and better results.
For now, a point stops the rot but it does not cure the problem.
Yet more VAR controversy
VAR was introduced to improve decision-making, but in Scotland it increasingly feels as though the technology is creating as many frustrations as it is solving problems. The issue is not simply whether a decision is ultimately correct. It is the disruption caused by the process and the growing sense that the spontaneity which makes football so compelling is being eroded.
The delays are particularly damaging when a goal is involved. Players no longer know whether to celebrate, supporters are left waiting for confirmation and managers are forced to temper their immediate reactions. Martin O’Neill summed up the problem perfectly after Celtic’s win over St Mirren.
“You just cannot celebrate. That’s the first thing you think,” he said.
“When we thought we’d scored the goal in the first half, I thought, well, that must be a goal. Then for it to be ruled offside, you just cannot celebrate.
“That goes for every manager and every coaching staff. You just can’t do it until it’s finally decided.”
That is a fundamental problem. Football is built around emotion and immediacy, yet VAR has introduced uncertainty into its biggest moments. Unless Scottish football is prepared to invest in the cameras and technology required to make interventions quicker and more conclusive, there is a legitimate argument for reconsidering whether VAR is enhancing the game or diminishing it.
Danny Lennon back in football with Dumbarton
Danny Lennon has been appointed Dumbarton’s new Director of Football taking on a key role in shaping the club’s football strategy and first-team operations.
The appointment sees Lennon return to the game in a senior position after a managerial career that has taken him across the Scottish football pyramid. He will work closely with manager Frank McKeown and his coaching staff while advising the Dumbarton board on football matters and acting as a link between the board, management and playing squad.
Lennon enjoyed a lengthy playing career with the likes of Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle before moving into management with Cowdenbeath in 2008. He guided the Blue Brazil to successive promotions from the Third Division to the First Division, earning himself a move to Premiership side St Mirren.
His time in Paisley delivered the most notable success of his managerial career, as he led St Mirren to League Cup glory in 2013 while maintaining their Premiership status for four seasons.
Further spells followed with Alloa Athletic, Airdrieonians and Clyde, with Lennon guiding Alloa to Championship play-off success and Clyde to promotion in 2019. He also spent time as caretaker manager of Scotland Under-21s.
The move to Dumbarton comes at an interesting time for the club. Just days after Lennon’s appointment, the Sons secured their second win of the season – and a first win in four games – with a 2-1 home victory over Elgin City on Saturday.
While Lennon can hardly claim responsibility for an immediate upturn in fortunes, the timing will certainly have been welcomed. Dumbarton will now hope their new Director of Football can prove to be a lucky charm as they look to build momentum and continue improving their form.
Callum McFadden 