Manchester United, ManU v Fulham FA Cup 02/03/2025. 5th Round Noussair Mazraoui 3 of Manchester United passes the ball beyond Antonee Robinson 33 of Fulham during the FA Cup match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 2 March 2025. Manchester Old Trafford Greater Manchester England Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xConorxMolloyx PSI-21550-0138
Aberdeen midfielder Brad Lyons has sounded a warning to his new teammates ahead of their Premier Sports Cup opener against Brora Rangers on Tuesday evening.
The 29-year-old insists Stephen Robinson’s side must treat the Highland League champions with complete respect following a string of upsets elsewhere at the weekend.
Aberdeen travel to Dudgeon Park knowing that complacency could prove costly against a side packed with experienced and physically imposing players.
Lyons claimed: “They have a lot of good players and guys with experience of league football. They are Highland League champions as well and we need to treat them with the utmost respect.”
The Northern Irish midfielder brings personal experience of this exact fixture, having faced Brora Rangers at the same stage of last season while at Kilmarnock.
Lyons admitted: “I actually experienced it last season at Kilmarnock. Our first game was away to Brora, so I know it will be a really tough test.”
He was emphatic in dismissing any possibility of Aberdeen making excuses, pointing to the high standards Robinson has established at Pittodrie since taking charge.
Lyons added: “It is easy to put out excuses before the game or even after it. The way the club is, the standards they set, the nutritionists and all the staff, there can be no excuses over a bit of travel or going up to a different pitch.”
Despite the challenge ahead, Lyons made clear that he and his teammates are eager to get competitive football underway after a productive but ultimately limited pre-season period.
He noted: “It is a tough test, we know that, but we can’t wait to get the competitive football going. Pre-season is all well and good but nothing matches competitive football.”
Robinson’s vision of building a winning culture at Aberdeen was a major factor in convincing Lyons to make the move from Rugby Park, and the player admitted the decision required little deliberation.
He insisted: “It was a no-brainer. You see the history of the club and the amount of trophies they won. You see the players who have pulled on the shirt. When the club and the gaffer came calling we rubbed our hands, it was a no-brainer.”
Lyons, who can operate at full-back or in central midfield, arrived as one of ten new signings Robinson has made this summer in an ambitious overhaul of the squad.
The midfielder is under no illusions about the competition for places but made clear his personal ambition extends well beyond simply featuring in the team.
He explained: “The stature of the club, we need to be winning trophies. I would love to win a trophy.”
Lyons will enter Tuesday’s match full of confidence after scoring a fine goal in Aberdeen’s 2-0 friendly victory over Linfield in Belfast at the weekend.
He confirmed: “When the gaffer brought me in, he saw me as the sort of midfielder who could get forward and help to get goals. The one on Saturday was a real nice finish.”
With Aberdeen determined to bounce back after a difficult campaign last season, Lyons says the mood inside the dressing room reflects a squad united around a common purpose.
Lyons added: “The boys who were there last season said this can’t happen again, with how big the club is. The standards we are driving in pre-season and on the pitch, it won’t happen again.”
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