Barry Robson applauds best Aberdeen performance against Celtic for YEARS as boss targets 'three or four' new signings

Barry Robson reckons he hasn't seen an Aberdeen team play that well against Celtic for YEARS after watching his side come out on the wrong side of a 3-1 defeat.

A young Aberdeen side featuring seven players aged 23 or under went at the champions from the off with Duk and Bojan Miovski in particular causing problems. That pair combined for the equaliser after Liel Abada's opener but Celtic's quality proved decisive with Kyogo and Matt O'Riley sealing the win.

Robson was frustrated his side couldn't take something of it but had nothing but praise for his side who he felt matched Brendan Rodgers' steam for long spells. Aberdeen hadn't won in any of their last 20 games against Celtic going into this one but Robson feels it might have been as close as they've come to upsetting them for a long while. He told Sky Sports: "We were a bit gung-ho at times and they had a wee bit more quality. But you see we've got a young, fresh, vibrant team that wants to perform.

"Mistakes cost us today. I know we can be vulnerable with players like Kyogo and Maeda running in behind us but the fans went with us today. Possession-wise, it would have been close. I think that's the best performance you'll have seen from an Aberdeen team against Celtic in years."

Robson, who is looking forward to welcoming James McGarry into his squad on Sunday night, also says he's expecting "three or four" new signings to be made before the window closes on September 1. He added: "We want to add in a few areas. Obviously we've got Jimmy McGarry arriving in the country tonight, but we will be adding another three or four."