Peter Leven urges Aberdeen fans to ‘bring the noise’ against Premiership leaders Celtic

Caretaker boss Peter Leven urged Aberdeen fans to “bring the noise” to Pittodrie for the visit of cinch Premiership leaders Celtic on Saturday.

The Red Army are coming to terms with the sacking of Barry Robson and assistant Steve Agnew following the 1-1 home draw at Dundee on Tuesday night which left them eighth in the table and described as “unacceptable” by chairman Dave Cormack.

First-team coach Leven, assisted by Scott Anderson, will take charge of the team against Celtic with an away game against Rangers to come next midweek and he insists the players need help from the supporters – and vice versa.

He said: “The fans are massive for us. It is a massive club. The fans need the players as well.

“They need the players to be at it tomorrow and that brings the fans. I need the fans to be all together and hopefully they can bring the noise tomorrow.

“It is going to be tough but we are at home and we are Aberdeen. I am positive.

“It has been a difficult couple of days. I have a lot of respect for Barry and Steve. I have spoken to them. They have come in and thanked the staff. They are two great guys and I am sure they will get something else soon.

“We have to be positive and get the boys up and at it for the game tomorrow. I am taking it day by day, game by game and making sure the boys are ready, that is the most important thing.

“We have got good boys in the changing room, we have the senior ones like Graeme Shinnie and Jonny Hayes who are so good for a coach in there.

“I had a chat with them earlier and the spirits are good. The boys were at it in training today. We all know our job and hopefully we can deliver.

“We have a double header against Celtic and Rangers coming up. We have to play them sometime and obviously they have come right now.

“We have Celtic tomorrow and we will see how that goes. After that we will prepare for Rangers.”

Meanwhile, defender Slobodan Rubezic faces 10 to 12 weeks out with a knee problem.

The centre-back underwent scans after suffering the injury late in last week’s draw with St Johnstone and the outcome is better than first feared.

The Montenegro international will not require surgery and the timescale should see him return to action before the end of the season.

Aberdeen have also been boosted by the news that another central defender, Stefan Gartenmann, could be available for Saturday after missing the draw with Dundee through injury.