Biggest game of my life
74 Sunday Mail
Stephen Robinson stood in the dugouts of France last summer facing wor ld beaters like Germany in front of 50,000 crowds.
But the Motherwell boss insists this afternoon’s Betfred Cup semi is the biggest game of his life – because he’ll be the one to carry the can for failure.
And the 42-year-old – part of Mi ch a e l O’Ne i l l ’ s Northern Ireland staff – is convinced he and his underdog squad can handle the pressure against Rangers
Robinson said: “This will probably be the biggest ever game for me.
“Being involved in the Euros, getting to the last 16 and playing against teams like Germany and Poland is similar – but it’s not ‘on my head be it’ when I’m only on the coaching staff.
“It’s something we are very much looking forward to, though, being involved in a game like this. It’s the same for the players.
“It’s a great opportunity and a big stage to play on. We all have to enjoy it but we’re not just there to make up the numbers.”
Robinson isn’t ashamed to channel a little of the spirit that carried Northern Ireland to the World Cup play-offs and the brink of a second straight major finals.
And he is desperate for O’Neill to stick with his country and resist any moves from Scotland.
He said: “Every game we go into, we are probably an underdog.
“It gives you an inner drive within the dressing-room to prove people wrong.
“It’s what I have used throughout my career, as a player or a manager. Trying to prove people wrong.
“We put all the pressure on the other side and just do what we do. I’m happy to go under the radar.
” But is no surpr ise Michael is being linked with other jobs and, as a Northern Ireland fan, I don’t want him to leave.”