TOMMY STEEL
SAINTS v M’WELL Well boss: I’d love to finish top four and get no credit like Wright
STEVE ROBINSON admits he is full of admiration for the job Tommy Wright has done with St Johnstone.
But the Motherwell boss insists his old Northern Ireland team-mate is full of blarney when it comes to the Saints getting no credit for their achievements
And Robinson claims he would be delighted if the Steelmen gatecrashed the Premiership top four on a regular basis and received no praise whatsoever.
Robinson said: “I played with Tommy for Northern Ireland. He was a big personality and character in the dressing room.
“He always commanded respect from everybody as he had played at the top level. He had that demeanour and people would always listen to what he had to say.
“What Tommy has achieved with St Johnstone is tremendous. It is no surprise to see him go on to be a successful manager.
“I would love to finish in the top four with Motherwell every season in the Premiership and get no credit for it, as he says happens.
“St Johnstone are a very good team. You don’t finish in the Premiership top four consistently and win trophies if you are not a good side. I don’t think many people would question that fact.”
Motherwell travel to Perth to take on Wright’s men today. Robinson’s side are in fine fettle after their midweek Betfred Cup win with 10-men over Ross County that earned them a quarter-final date with Aberdeen.
And he said: “The boys believe in what they are doing and there is a real inner feeling we can go on and achieve something.
“We can’t win every game but if the performance levels are there then you can’t complain.
“We said after the Rangers game the standard had been set in terms of workrate, energy and desire.
“That stuff is free as it doesn’t cost money or talent. That is the bare minimum because if we drop below that then we won’t win matches.”
Robinson also responded to Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha’s assertion earlier this week that Motherwell were a physical team.
The Steelmen lost 2-1 to the Light TODAY, 3PM McDIARMID PARK Blues on the opening weekend of the season at Fir Park but Robinson said: “We’re a big, strong side and I’m not sure if it was aimed as a compliment but I’ll take it as one.
“For larger periods of the Rangers game we played some good football.
“We know how to earn the right to play and we are physical and strong but we also have guys who can play.”
Motherwell missed out on adding ex-St Mirren and Dundee defender Paul McGinn to their ranks. The Scot looked set to return north of the border but has decided to stay and fight for his place at Chesterfield.
Robinson added: “I’d like a bit of pace out wide or up front and we are still actively seeking to bring in another defender.”
Meanwhile Well defender Richard Tait is relieved injury hell is behind him after two operations on his troublesome groin in the summer.
Tait showed he’s back to full fitness by running an astonishing 15km in Dingwall and said: “The distance proves that I’ve come back stronger. I feel fit and happy.”