Barry Robson senses Aberdeen danger from Robert Snodgrass as he sees Hearts veteran walk a familiar path

Barry Robson played with Hearts star Robert Snodgrass and knows he has the quality to hurt Aberdeen’s push for third spot.

The pair were together in the Scotland team and now interim boss will be looking to get one over his Jambos at Pittodrie this weekend. Veteran Snodgrass has been central in getting Hearts clear in third spot - although the Dons will look to cut their advantage to four points on Saturday. Robson said: “Snoddy is a good player, terrific left foot. He can hurt you. I played for Scotland with Snoddy a few times. These days he plays a lot more central now – I did that myself as I got older. He is doing well at that.”

Robson was 37 when he hung his boots and reckons Snodgrass can do the same because he looks after himself, on and off the park. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, has taken things to a new level with his Swedish recall at 41. He added: “I always say to every player ‘just play as long as you can because you are a long time retired’. I kept going until I was three months short of my 38th birthday and I think I could have played on longer, but obviously Derek McInnes offered me a position as a coach at the time.

“He was telling me I was finished but I was telling him I wasn’t! I played for a long time because I looked after myself and I’m sure Snoddy is as well.

“That’s the key: if you want to play long you have got to eat right, live right – all these sorts of things. That’s how I managed to go on for so long. I tried to be really disciplined in what I did.”

Hearts ’ main goal threat is likely to come from their 21 goal striker Lawrence Shankland. He was another Robson knows well as he was at Aberdeen as a youngster, after leaving Queen’s Park.

Robson admitted: “Lawrence too, who has done really