The Dons boss has come under growing scrutiny after a dismal run of results left his side languishing in ninth place in the Premiership, just three points above the bottom of the table. Wednesday night's 1-0 home defeat to Falkirk sparked angry scenes at Pittodrie, with supporters making their frustrations clear at full-time.

But Robinson believes a Hampden semi-final offers the perfect opportunity to change the mood around the club.

"You haven't got time to feel sorry for yourself, if there is a moment to put it right a semi-final at Hampden is that time," he said.

"As a footballer you always get another chance, sometimes as a manager you don't and what a chance it is to go to Hampden, a full house with a big support with us. It is certainly the right place to do it and we believe we can.

"Every semi-final that I've been in with Motherwell and St Mirren, we were not expected to win. So I know how to motivate teams and the staff know how to get teams to believe.

"It's certainly an opportunity. All the pressure will be on Rangers, and the expectation will be on Rangers."

Robinson's side desperately need a lift after results and performances have drawn criticism from supporters in recent weeks. Yet despite the mounting pressure, the Aberdeen manager insists the dressing room remains united and determined to turn things around.

"It's a great, great group of boys that want to be successful and no-one was hiding away from the fact results haven't been good enough," he said.

"The players know it needs to be better and they are all in that together. There are no factions, there are no people going off on their own, everyone wants to turn that around.

"There was a good performance in that as well but ultimately we deserved the criticism we got, we can't get away from that. I deserved the criticism. I don't hide behind that. I don't try and throw players under the bus. We have to respond to that."