French kid Kipre shocked by new Well deal

STEVE ROBINSON revealed he gave French kid Cedric Kipre a shock as he handed the kid a new Motherwell deal.

The 20-year-old feared his season-long contract was going to be ripped up just eight matches into his Fir Park career.

But nothing could have been further from the truth as boss Robinson rewarded him for a run of impressive displays.

Kipre was snapped last month after his release by Leicester who bought him from PSG in 2014.

Robinson reveals he gave the youngster an extended deal because he reckons it’s inevitable bigger clubs will come in for him now he’s playing regular first-team football.

He said: “Cedric deserved a new contract. He’s been excellent even though he’s got a lot of improvement still to go.

“We wanted to bring him up to the same level as the first-team boys because we consider him a first-team player. He’s a quiet boy and I scare the life out of him at times even though he’s about 7ft!

“But he’s a good lad and appreciates we think he’s done well and wanted to reward him.

“That’s how we look after our players. We can’t put their wages up by thousands but can make sure everyone is on the same kind of money.

“It’s also to protect ourselves. He’s only going to get better and better.”

Deimantas Petravicius, who signed on Tuesday, could feature off the bench against Hearts tomorrow.

Robinson said: “He looks fit but is two or three weeks from starting.”