CELTIC’S Scottish Cup semi-final opponents St Mirren are facing a massive blow before next month’s Hampden clash.
Aberdeen, without a manager since sacking Jimmy Thelin at the turn of the year, are poised to name Paisley gaffer Stephen Robinson as the Swede’s permanent replacement.
Talks about the shock move have already been held between the clubs to pave the way for the appointment, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
Barring any unforseen and late hitches, Robinson will sign a long-term deal with the Pittodrie club.
TOUCHLINE RIVALS…Martin O’Neill and Stephen Robinson in competition during Celtic’s 1-0 Premiership win over St Mirren in Paisley in November last year.
Following the exit of Scottish Cup-winning team chief Thelin after a sequence of terrible results, the Dons put Peter Leven in temporary charge.
The 3-0 hammering from Neil Lennon’s Championship side Dunfermline to remove the north-east club from this season’s competition at the weekend has hastened the search for a new head coach.
Former New York Red Bulls boss Sandro Schwarz had been linked with the post and was in the crowd a week ago as Martin O’Neill’s men triumphed 2-1 at Pittodrie.
However, Robinson has emerged as the priority target and it appears it is only a matter of time before Aberdeen make an announcement.
The 51-year-old Irishman, of course, led St Mirren to a 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup Final win over Wilfried Nancy’s Hoops team in mid-December during the Frenchman’s 33 disastrous days in charge of the champions.
The Paisley team could now face a scramble to get a replacement before the last-four meeting with Celtic on the weekend of April 18/19.
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