Aaron is cunning as Fox
AARON McCAREY reckons it was harsh on Scott Fox to be dropped after his howler against Rangers on live TV.
And the last thing the longstanding Ross County second-choice keeper wanted was to then see his colleague carried off with injury.
But now, with Fox out for six weeks after last weekend’s draw with St Johnstone, the Irish shot-stopper is determined take full advantage and cement his status as first choice.
After Fox’s uncharacteristic lapse of concentration allowed Alfredo Morelos in to score in Dingwall in late August, the 25-year-old earned consecutive appearances in a 1-1 draw with Partick and 4-0 beating at Celtic Park.
He felt he did well in those matches but was then dropped again by now-departed manager Jim McIntyre.
This time he is intent on proving his worth to successor Owen Coyle.
McCarey said: “Everyone wants to play and it’s good to get back in. Foxy has been unlucky with the injury and I just have to go in there and take the opportunity.
“But it’s not about me – it’s about the whole team.
“When I was dropped after the two starts in September I was disappointed.
“But you just have to work hard and be prepared for the next time the opportunity arises.” STEPHEN ROBINSON has revealed how his old man Winston will be at Hampden to watch his son’s team face Celtic in the Betfred Cup Final later this month.
And the Northern Irishman joked he is just delighted he won’t have to sit in the stands next to the 79-year-old – because his dad would constantly pick his brains.
Robinson was cleared to lead the Steelmen out at the National Stadium after being handed a one-match ban by the SFA following his touchline bust-up with former Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha during Motherwell’s 2-0 semi-final win.
Robinson said: “My dad Winston is coming to the Cup Final. He wasn’t at the semi, he was at the caravan in Portrush.
“It’s a beautiful part of the world but he has decided he’s going to come to Hampden.
“That’s good news for everyone so hopefully we’ll give him the result.
“I did joke with him and said, ‘Listen, dad, I could actually be sitting next to you’. That probably put him off.
“Luckily enough I’ll be on the touchline and he’ll be in the stand.
“I couldn’t sit next to him. He’d be talking to me all the way through the game asking me questions. He would be picking the team for me!
“My parents have been totally supportive, they are a brilliant family and always have been.
“We live in an X Factor world where everyone wants instant success. My parents weren’t like that. It was hard graft and if you weren’t doing well then it was your problem.
“That’s something that has crept into the game. Everyone wants instant success and be in the first team straight away.
“My mum and dad pushed me but they made sure I was responsible for the way my career went. My dad will kill me for saying this – he was 79 last Monday. He’s in good shape.”
The 42-year-old had initially feared he would be banished to the stands for the showpiece but admits he got a fair hearing after taking in Motherwell’s general manager Alan Burrows to act as his legal representative.
Robinson said: “I didn’t get the offer of a ban because I had a previous incident as an assistant so they wanted to sit down and speak.
“I was quite happy to take the one-game ban.
“There was not a lot in