Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson reveals Dimitar Mitov delayed surgery for TWO MONTHS to help Premiership survival fight

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson has revealed keeper Dimitar Mitov required surgery on a groin injury for more than TWO MONTHS.

However, the Bulgaria international delayed going under the knife to help the battle against relegation.

Mitov had surgery on a groin injury on Monday.

Midfielder Stuart Armstrong is also set to have surgery this week, having been suffering from a breathing problem.

Both started the 2-0 win against Dundee United at the weekend, with Armstrong scoring the opening goal.

However, there was an agreement, once the Dons confirmed their Premiership safety both would have surgery.

Robinson revealed Mitov required an operation when he was appointed head coach on March 12 – but he asked the keeper if he could play on.

Mitov ‘playing through pain barrier for me’ – Robinson

The Dons boss says Mitov’s injury was evident when he was kicking in the win against Dundee United.

Yet the keeper battled through the pain barrier until Aberdeen officially confirmed their top-flight survival by winning the New Firm derby.

Robinson said: “Dimi required surgery before I came in and has been playing through the pain barrier for me, which is fantastic.

“I asked him to play through that until we were safe and he’s done that.

“You could see that on Saturday (against Dundee United) a few times with his kicking.

“The more the game goes on, the more it affects him.

“It’s something that if we didn’t take care of now, Dimi wouldn’t be fit for pre-season.

“If we had won the Livingston game (2-2 draw) he would have got it (surgery) down there.

“But that didn’t turn out to be the guarantee that we weren’t in the play-off.

“He’s had to wait a little bit longer, but had surgery today on a groin injury.

“Stuart Armstrong is the same and will have surgery on a breathing problem.

“If he doesn’t have it done (now), he won’t be fit for pre-season”

Mitov has started six of the seven games since Robinson was appointed as head coach in March.

Unseen battles players endure

Despite battling with an injury, 29-year-old Mitov has secured three successive clean sheets at Pittodrie.

With Mitov in goalm the Reds racked up a four-game unbeaten run to eradicate any chance of being dragged into the relegation play-off.

Aberdeen are now 10 points clear of 11th-placed St Mirren, who occupy the play-off spot, with two games remaining.

Robinson said: “That shows Dimi’s commitment and that’s the thing people don’t see in the background.

“You know, the players playing through pain, or things going on in the family, or whatever it is in the background… people that are ill.

“And they go on to the pitch and do their very, very best.

“Dimi’s been outstanding for me and has got his confidence back.

“He gives a real presence in there.

“He’ll come back fighting fit after his operation.

“Dimi’s misfortune allows somebody else to stand up and take the opportunity.”

January signing Per Kristian Bratveit and Nick Suman are in contention to replace Mitov in Tuesday’s clash against St Mirren at Pittodrie.

Geiger and Jensen fitness sweat

Aberdeen will be without former AC Milan striker Marko Lazetic, who has returned home to Serbia for family reasons.

Robinson said: “Both (Bratveit and Suman) have done well in training.

“Nick’s yet to make his debut, I believe, for the club.

“So there are things to consider there.

“Alexander Jensen is a doubt, as is Dennis Geiger.

“Dennis took a lot of knocks on Saturday.

“It’ll be a late assessment of the team.

“Marko’s gone back home for family reasons and won’t be involved on Tuesday.”

No mixed emotions for Robinson

Robinson will lead Aberdeen against his former club St Mirren at Pittodrie.

A win for the Reds would condemn the Paisley club to finishing second bottom and having to contest the relegation play-off.

Robinson has no mixed emotions about the consequences of the clash as all he is focused on is three points.

He said: “My job is to win football matches for Aberdeen.

“We want to keep this momentum going.

“So we have to win every single football match and it coincides that it’s against St Mirren.

“Of course, longer term, after Tuesday, I’d love to see St Mirren survive and stay up.

“We left St Mirren with silverware (League Cup) only a few weeks previously, in the (Scottish Cup) semi-final and in 10th place in the league – which is where St Mirren have notoriously been because of the resources they have.

“I’m not in control of what happens after that and it’s a case of we have to win the game.

“But I’m not there (St Mirren) anymore, so I don’t know how it is.

“But in terms of the playing squad that I left behind, I’ve no doubt they have the desire and quality to stay up, should it be in a play-off.”

[Source: Press and Journal]