I owe Bren big time for 3hr lesson
one of the worst games I played in. It was everything – the wind and it was lashing down.
“But we got the job done. Not many players from non-league get the chance to play in cup finals like this.
“When you think of where Louis Moult and I have come from, playing at non-league grounds down south, you appreciate the chance to play at Hampden more.
“It makes you hungrier. And we could win a cup at the end so it’s massive.
“I’ve been looking forward to the final ever since we beat Rangers in the semi.
“We’re going in to the match as underdogs but we like that. We can’t wait for it.
“Celtic are obviously in really good form but so are we. We feel like it’s whoever wants it more on the day will win.
“Someone’s got to beat them, so why can’t it be us?” Brendan Rodgers once rolled out the red carpet to welcome Steve Robinson on a fact-finding trip to Liverpool.
But the Motherwell gaffer doesn’t expect any special treatment when their paths cross at Hampden today.
Robinson was Northern Ireland Under-21 gaffer and went to Melwood with former Rangers star David Healy.
He said: “Brendan had a lot of time for myself and David when he was Liverpool boss. At Melwood he literally closed the doors of his office and gave us three hours of his time.
“He showed a real humility and interest in Northern Irish football and its development. It was nice of him.
“He gave us a good insight into man management and how he dealt with disappointment, which is probably the biggest thing as a manager.
“Brendan was a very humble guy who gave us more time than we imagined because he was a busy man. We tried to absorb information from him.
“He was open to new ideas, to the extent that he said: ‘You give us a session and we’ll give you one.’ That was a great from a manager at the top level.”
Robinson bel ieves the l ikes of Rodgers and Michael O’Neill are inspirational f igures for aspiring Northern Irish coaches.
He said: “If you go 64 games unbeaten at Celtic, I suppose you can be as positive as you want.
“Seriously, Brendan has had tough times as well. He had it at Liverpool and learned how to cope with it.
“It’s inspiring to see a Northern Irish guy hit the heights he has. But we have a lot of coaches like that from our part of the world now.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Michael and the national team. Brendan and Michael are very similar, they’re meticulous.”
Robinson knows today’s final will be a tough test for the Steelmen.
He said: “Celtic are a good team and it won’t matter that this is our first game against them this season.
“Brendan wi l l have done his homework, his due diligence, and will be aware of our threats.
“It’s a huge day for us, a great occasion. The fans have waited a long time for a bit of success so to take them to Hampden and get a result would just be amazing.”