Barry Robson: Aberdeen players gave everything in 'tight' Viaplay Cup final defeat to Rangers

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson was proud of his players’ efforts despite the disappointment of their defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

James Tavernier’s second-half strike meant Rangers lifted the Viaplay Cup trophy after a competitive game that was low on clear-cut chances.

Robson was disappointed his team couldn’t make the most of their opportunities but said there was no shortage of endeavour from the Dons.

“They gave me everything,” Robson said. “I think that was clear.

“When you’ve got Rangers Football Club hanging in there at the end, kicking balls out of the pitch, I think that tells you what we tried to do as a team.

“We want to come and be in more finals.”

The former midfielder, who lifted the League Cup with Aberdeen and Celtic, emphasised the difficulty of the task his team faced and was dismissive of any notion that Rangers were not at their best.

He reiterated his disappointment but said his side had given a good account of themselves against tough opposition.

“I just told the players well done for giving us everything,” Robson said. “They gave us every drop, every ounce.

“I don’t know where people get this thing… that’s Rangers we were just playing. They’re a good side. They just beat Real Betis in Spain.

“We’ve got to remember that. People talk about Rangers… Rangers are a good team with a good manager.

“We come down here and we know that. We’ve no right as Aberdeen to come down here and run the whole game. That’s a proper team we played against.

“For me, we had a go and I’m just frustrated for the fans that we just couldn’t get the ball over the line today.”