MY MIND’S ON THE JOB
Robinson’s focusing on Well despite Hearts link
STEPHEN ROBINSON insists his sole focus is on his job at Motherwell amid speculation linking him with the vacant managerial position at Hearts.
The Well gaffer has emerged as a front-runner for the gig at Tynecastle following the sacking of Craig Levein on Thursday.
Robinson recently signed a new contract until 2022 and it would take a six-figure compensation sum to release him from the Fir Park club.
The Northern Irishman’s stock is high given the wonderful job he has done, having guided the Steelmen to two cup finals in the 2017-18 campaign and steered his young side to third place in the Premiership this season.
But Robinson claims all he is concentrating on is maintaining Motherwell’s position in the league as he blocks out the speculation linking him with the Jambos.
Livingston come calling today and Robinson said: “The case is I’m solely concentrating on Motherwell v Livingston and we need a win against a difficult opponent. Motherwell is my priority.”
The Steelmen give a platform for players to shine at Fir Park before moving on to bigger clubs.
When asked if that was the same for managers, Robinson said: “Possibly but as I’ve said I’m just concentrating on the game against Livi. That’s my sole focus.
“I’m trying to make sure we are still third going into a really tough game at Celtic.”
Robinson claims his players deserve the credit for where they are sitting in the league, with a 2-1 midweek win over Kilmarnock lifting them into third.
He said: “The players are doing something right. I’ll pick the team but the players have to do it.
“It’s a really young side, they are still learning. The other night shows how young, naive and cavalier we are when in the last minute we had six in the box and Killie go up the other end and get a corner.
“We have an exciting, young, vibrant team that need managed and pulled back at times.
“So it’s credit to them where we are sitting in the league and we have to try to cement that tomorrow.”
Asked if it was easy to ignore the speculation, Robinson said: “Yes, I’m completely focused.”
Motherwell defender Jake Carroll is relishing working under Robinson and reckons it’s a compliment if other clubs are looking at the Fir Park gaffer.
Carroll said: “I can only speak from working with him for a few months now but he has been brilliant for me.
“He has pushed me on and improved my game.
“He has been here for a few years now and has improved Motherwell massively. He’s a good manager.”
Robinson clearly doesn’t need to change his methods but Carroll admits he has to alter his own style.
The 28-year-old received a retrospective red card after his caution in their opening-day clash with Livi was upgraded before being sent off against Ross County.
And he admits Premiership referees aren’t as lenient as he thought they would be.
He said: “I expected coming up here to maybe get away with a bit more in terms of physicality.
“You have to get physical but need to be smart with it and not go to ground unnecessarily.”