Robinson feared red card for Ilic on ‘sticky’ surface

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson says he replaced Christian Ilic at half-time against Livingston because he feared the midfielder was destined for a red card on his Ladbrokes Premiership debut. Robinson hooked the 23-year-old ahead of the second half, bringing on Sherwin Seedorf, who added some much-needed impetus for the Steelmen.

Ilic was on a yellow card and, citing Livi’s plastic pitch as a factor, Robinson feared the worst for the former TSV Hartberg man.

“I took Christian off as I thought he was going to be sent off,” he said. “He was on a booking then went into another couple of tackles. On that pitch it’s sticky and, if you make one wrong decision, then you are playing with 10 men.

“So we needed that little bit of freshness. We were trying to win the game, trying to be positive. But there wasn’t a great deal of quality in the game.”

Robinson also felt the impact of Jermaine Hylton was lessened by the artificial surface.

“If you walk on that surface, then it’s almost impossible to run with the ball,” he added. “It’s bobbling everywhere, especially when it’s dry. It’s better when it’s wet.”

Robinson is acutely aware that a vast improvement will be required when they host Celtic next weekend, but does not feel his side gave away much to the champions, who had scout Peter Houston in the stand.

“We didn’t play the football we wanted to, but the good thing is Celtic won’t have seen how we can play,” he said.

Livingston boss Gary Holt felt his side were unfortunate not to claim all three points after watching visiting goalkeeper Mark Gillespie produce fine saves to deny Aymen Souda, Scott Pittman and Nicky Devlin.

“We were right at it. There was no quarter asked or given – and I think we had the better chances,” he said.