They say pressure creates diamonds. For Jim Goodwin and Lee Johnson, three points would do just fine.

Two of the Premiership’s under-fire managers will go head-to-head this Saturday as Aberdeen travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian.

Both teams come into the clash fresh off the back of damaging Scottish Cup exits last week, with Hibs losing 3-0 at home to Edinburgh rivals Hearts, while Aberdeen suffered what was arguably their worst ever result at the hands of West of Scotland League outfit Darvel.

In what is sure to be a nervy affair, defeat for either side may prove to be the catalyst for the Premiership’s third sacking of the season, following the departures of Jack Ross and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Perhaps the only thing more shocking than Aberdeen’s Monday evening’s humiliation is that their manager remains in charge. Club chairman Dave Cormack revealed yesterday that Goodwin would be in the dugout this weekend following crunch talks with the board but stressed that an immediate response is expected.

The Dons have picked up just one victory since returning from the World Cup break and another defeat on Saturday would surely signal the end of Goodwin’s tenure, less than a year since being handed the reigns at Pittodrie.

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In Edinburgh, the tension is also increasing for Lee Johnson, who has remained defiant throughout a run of ten games which has yielded only two wins.

They are likely to be without their top scorer Kevin Nisbet, as he nears a move to the English Championship with Millwall, while Ryan Porteous has been heavily linked with Watford as the club look to cash in on the Scotland international before his contract expires this summer.

The loss of Nisbet in particular would be a bitter blow with the Scotland international providing a rare positive spark in an otherwise bleak campaign, netting seven goals in as many games following his return from injury. No other Hibs player has found the net during that spell, highlighting their troubles in front of goal.

Both sets of fans have been vocal in their criticism of their respective clubs in recent weeks and have made their feelings known from the stands. Lofty pre-season dreams of challenging Hearts as Scotland’s third force have been replaced by a sobering dose of reality.

The reality for Goodwin and Johnson is that three points on Saturday are a must. Their jobs are depending on it.