Barry Robson applauds Aberdeen players after Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Hibs

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson praised his players for their fighting qualities after they edged past Hibs to reach the Viaplay Cup final.

The Dons were reduced to ten men in the second half, and had been second-best for large spells of the game, but Bojan Miovski’s breakaway goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win.

Robson highlighted the number of games his side has played as they juggle domestic and European football, and said that the players’ attitude made the difference in a difficult game.

“First and foremost, I’m so proud of my players,” Robson said. “We’ve had to go four games in nine days, we got a day less rest than Hibs.

“They haven’t had the games that we’ve had. To fight and show that, that shows me the real spirit and determination the group have got.

“Obviously we’ve been on our travels a lot, we were away at a really hard game at Killie, then we were away to Motherwell again, now we’re away down to Hampden again.

“For me, to show that character and spirit is what is everything. It’s more important than talent and ability.”

Robson said that the heavy schedule meant that his side couldn’t “go out and get after” Hibs and that instead they had to be “tactically clever” and look for ways to put Nick Montgomery’s team under pressure. The manager believed they carried out that plan effectively and could have had more reward than just one goal.

“There wasn’t a lot in the first half,” he said. “They started the second half well and we had a man sent off.

“Listen, Bojan could have scored three goals so for me, it’s a semi-final and it’s about winning.

“And coming on the back of all that travel, what a performance that is from my players.

“What a spirit, what a group. They are fighting for their club and they’re in a final.”

Aberdeen will now face Hearts or Rangers in the final at Hampden on December 17.