STEPHEN Robinson was the outstanding candidate to become Motherwell’s next manager according to the club who confirmed his appointment last night.
The 42-year-old former Northern Irish international was brought back to Fir Park in January by Mark McGhee having previously been assistant to Ian Baraclough.
Following McGhee’s departure two weeks ago, Robinson took temporary charge for two matches and did enough in that time for him to be offered a contract until May 2018.
Robinson said: “I am absolutely delighted and proud to lead this football club, a club with a rich history in the Scottish game. It’s a great place to be with great people with a support that deserve success.
“My mission from the board is absolutely clear. Firstly, to ensure the team have a strong finish to the SPFL Premiership season and finish as high as we possibly can between now and May. Then, to help shape the club going forward with a strong emphasis on hard-work, discipline and a real passion and desire for Motherwell that the fans can get behind and be proud of.”
Motherwell is a club in need of a clear-out.
The playing squad needs a re-haul, more players from the youth team, current Scottish Cup champions and semi-finalists this year, have to be given their chance and maybe it’s time to get rid of some of the old guard, as difficult as that will be given they are good guys and wonderful servants.
This season they have looked a tired team full of familiar players making familiar mistakes. They should be better than this. McGhee has to take a lot of responsibility for the fact the Lanarkshire team sit three points above second bottom Hamilton.
For their supporters, this has been a wretched season, which seemed to end when they should have beaten Rangers in the Scottish Cup but failed to see out the game and were done by two late Kenny Miller goals.
McGhee’s mojo seemed to go that day, as did many of of the players. Then came the 7-2 defeat at Pittodrie when McGhee lost the support and his temper at the fourth official.
Then his team were 5-1 down to Dundee at home at half-time. The protestors outside afterwards might have been of school age but their message for the manager to go was listened to.
On the face of it, Robinson doesn’t have a lot to work with and yet in only two games the team have looked more organised and some spirit has been rediscovered.
A 2-1 win at Rugby Park was a result few saw coming and while they again tasted defeat at Pittodrie last Saturday, this time a last-minute goal did for them. At least it’s a start.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here