Aberdeen all but safe – what next for Stephen Robinson?

Controlling games from midfield has been a fatal flaw of Aberdeen’s all season.

Their inability to dictate from the middle of the pitch has impacted their creativity, which is why they are one of the lowest scorers in the division.

Continuing the baby steps made in defence while adding more from middle to front is next on Robinson’s list.

“Can we better on the ball? Of course we can. We can be more composed, take more touches and create more chances.

“But overall we created more chances, we allowed Killie to have the ball in certain areas, pressed them well and took the ball off them at times.

“I’m really proud of how they conducted themselves today, how they played, the energy, aggression, organisation – that’s the basics.

“That’s what hasn’t been done for a long time here. We have to build on that. The nervousness will calm down hopefully and we’ll add to that.”

Improving will not just be a matter of coaching. Twenty players have been signed by Aberdeen since last summer and some did not even see out the season.

None of them could be called a roaring success.

In a different environment next season, they might improve, but Robinson and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel have a big job on their hands this summer to reshape the squad.

The club have already talked about pivoting to signing more players with experience of Scottish football.

But whatever the plan they can start to execute with the reassurance of – in all likelihood – being in the Premiership next season.