ROBINSON IS SO GRATEFUL TO RODGERS FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION

STEPHEN ROBINSON has revealed how a Melwood meeting with Brendan Rodgers four years ago helped his development as a coach.

The Motherwell boss led Northern Ireland’s Under-21 squad when he and David Healy were granted an audience with the then Liverpool manager.

Rodgers and Robinson clashed recently when the Celtic boss commented on Motherwell’s aggressive approach in their Betfred Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

However, the work of Rodgers in the English Premier League and now at Celtic has been an inspiration to aspiring Northern Irish managers.

Robinson counts himself an admirer ever since he was treated to an insight at the inner sanctum of Liverpool’s training centre.

‘Our paths didn’t actually cross until he was manager of Liverpool but he had a lot of time for David Healy there,’ said Robinson.

‘He literally closed the doors in the office and gave us three hours. We asked questions, he asked questions. He showed a real humility and interest in Northern Irish football and the development of it.

‘We tried to take things from the conversation. He took much time to speak and answered in great detail.

‘He gave us a very good insight into man management, how he dealt with bigger players and how he dealt with disappointment at the same time.

‘It was more than we imagined he would as he was a very busy man at that stage at Liverpool.

‘He was really humble and open to ideas.’