Aberdeen on brink of safety - what next for Robinson?

After a dogged win over Kilmarnock moved Aberdeen eight points clear of the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off place with four games left, manager Stephen Robinson was calm.

"Until someone tells me mathematically we're away from the play-off then we'll be continuing to work and build on that performance," the head coach told BBC Scotland.

It is the right attitude of course. But an eight-point advantage over Kilmarnock and six on St Mirren, with all the threatened sides facing each other in the run-in, is a comfortable position.

The victory over Kilmarnock was a triumph of grit - and a goal after 51 seconds - rather than class and style.

But it was all that mattered and in its own way showed some progress since Robinson was appointed in March, as Aberdeen secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since October.

Back to basics for Aberdeen

In the process Aberdeen also managed back-to-back clean sheets in the Premiership for the first time since November.

In the wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian, Aberdeen conceded 0.54 and 0.19 expected goals (xG) respectively, and allowed a total of 26 touches in their box.

It is a marked improvement in the number of chances they are allowing the opposition compared to the 2-0 defeat by St Mirren the previous week.

Craig McLeish's side - the lowest scoring in the league - took 23 touches in Aberdeen's box and managed 0.9 expected goals.

Centre-back Liam Morrison, who was quickly becoming a figure of ridicule after his January move on loan from Queens Park Rangers, looks more assured under Robinson.

There are caveats of course. Hibs were reduced to 10 men early in Aberdeen's win, and Kilmarnock did rattle Aberdeen's bar three times.

You have to look hard to see the improvements, but Robinson is convinced they are there. Regardless, the results are.

"I thought we started really, really well and played brilliantly for 15-20 minutes," Robinson said. "Then we looked very nervous after that.

"It's to be expected of course. But one thing that hasn't been said about an Aberdeen side for a while is they're hard to beat, they defended crosses well and defended set-plays well.

"Their character was questioned throughout the season and I thought to a man they stood up today."

'Can we be better on the ball? Of course'

The fans at a nearly sold-out Pittodrie watched a very similar story unfold to many home games this season.

A decent start for the first quarter or so, before quickly fading and then struggling to recapture the momentum.