COVID OPERATIONS Robinson admits unease as virus worries hang over vital game

MOTHERWELL manager Stephen Robinson has accepted the surreal nature of the Fir Park side’s preparations this week ahead of their meeting with Aberdeen tonight.

It has been an uncertain 48 hours as the spread of the coronavirus has moved with some alacrity. At the minute the game at Fir Park goes ahead as usual but the anticipation is that there will be a move to play matches behind closed doors.

Robinson has tried to focus on what he can influence on the park but has admitted to some distraction as the full weight of the pandemic has taken hold.

“There is so much unknown so we have just tried to prepare for the game,” he said. “We are guided by the professionals but it’s been an ever-changing situation. We will take advice on what is best for the health of everybody

– players and fans. But we have just had to train as normal and prepare for Aberdeen.

“Sometimes you think, ‘is this exaggerated?’, and then you realise how big it is. It’s obviously extremely concerning but we are taking the same advice and following the same precautions as everyone.

“We will listen to the experts. There are contingency plans in place if something happens but we are just preparing as normal. There hasn’t been a big impact on our preparations but with the situation changing, we have to stay alert.”

For now, though, the aim is to get a result this evening that would create daylight between Motherwell and Aberdeen; one point is all that separates the teams with Robinson’s side just in front.

“Nobody would have believed we’d be third at this stage of the season,” he said. “If it’s based on budgets, fanbases and all the other stuff that comes with it, we have no right to be there.”

Meanwhile, Robinson has also praised the “grounded” David Turnbull who signed a new deal with the Fir Park side. The midfielder was on the cusp of sealing a move to Celtic last summer before a failed medical highlighted a requirement for surgery.

“It says a lot about David,” he said. “In this world, we hear so much about players earning millions and jumping from one club to another.

“But this shows that he’s focused on football and wants to play for Motherwell, for however long that is.”