‘Hiding in plain sight’ – but why have Aberdeen moved for Robinson now?

Why have Aberdeen suddenly moved to make St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson their new manager? Enough is enough seems to be the obvious answer.

Saturday’s abject end to their Scottish Cup defence at Dunfermline marked the latest low in a 16-month downward spiral that even lifting that trophy last season cannot mask.

Aberdeen have been going in one direction – the wrong one – for some time.

After talking an age since Jimmy Thelin’s departure in January to flirt with options including Eirik Horneland and Sandro Schwarz, a sudden need for urgency appears to have engulfed Pittodrie.

Under the influence of sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, all the signals were that a full-time appointment would come in the summer. Taking time to get the right person. Learning from previous errors.

That notion appears to have been thrown out the window.

Having announced they are in talks with Robinson – having met a release clause in his contract – it seems the dotting of i’s and crossing of t’s is all that stands between Aberdeen and the appointment of a new permanent manager.

“For me, he was a candidate right from the start, hiding in plain sight,” Aberdeen legend Willie Miller told BBC Scotland.

“I think it’ll be a surprise to most observers – fans included – that it has taken so long to identify someone that’s right under your nose.

“If Stephen Robinson accepts the offer then, it’s a positive move.”