Robson began his career as a youth player with Rangers before spells with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and finally Celtic in his native Scotland.
Robson then moved to Canada to play for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC before returning to England after one season to sign for Sheffield United.
[citation needed] The following season, Robson managed an even better ratio, scoring 12 from 24 games in all competitions at the point of leaving United.
[2] Robson made his Celtic debut on 10 February against Aberdeen, scoring with his first touch of the ball, a free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal.
An assist from Aiden McGeady allowed Robson to loop a header over Víctor Valdés, to put Celtic ahead,[3][20] though they eventually lost 3–2.
[25] He captained Middlesbrough against Peterborough United standing in for injured Gary O'Neil, and scored his first goal for the club in the seventh minute.
[33][34] Robson scored a goal from 35 yards in the 87th minute, to give Middlesbrough a vital 1–0 home victory over Hull City on 26 December 2011.
[37] On 28 April 2012, Robson played in a 2–1 loss against Watford on the last day of the season, setting up Marvin Emnes for Boro's solitary goal.
[42] On the last day of January 2013 transfer window Robson returned to England, signing a short-term contract with Sheffield United for the remainder of the season, taking the vacant number 19 shirt.
[45] Robson played regularly for the remainder of the season but with the Blades failing to gain promotion they opted not to offer him a new deal when his contract expired.
[47] In June 2013, Robson signed a pre-contract agreement with his home town club Aberdeen,[46][48] and made his debut in their first game of the season, a 2–1 victory over Kilmarnock.
On 16 March 2014, Robson was in the Aberdeen side that beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–2 on penalties to win the 2014 Scottish League Cup final.
[53] Robson won a call-up to the Scotland B team for the first time in December 2005, alongside fellow Dundee United player Mark Kerr.
[55][56] In August 2007, Robson received his first full international call-up when selected for the friendly against South Africa,[57] making his début as a second-half substitute.
[65][66] On 14 February 2022, Robson was appointed as caretaker manager of Aberdeen following the sacking of Stephen Glass, being temporarily promoted from his role with the U18s.
[67][68] Robson oversaw one match during his interim spell in charge, a 1–1 draw with St Johnstone,[69] before the club made the permanent appointment of Jim Goodwin.
[72] Following a run of seven consecutive wins that pushed Aberdeen into third place in the 2022–23 Scottish Premiership, Robson signed a two-year contract to continue as manager on 1 May 2023.