A tough test, but Well look to hurt Rangers
Stephen Robinson insists Motherwell have every reason to be bullish about today’s visit of Rangers.
Unlucky losers in the Betfred Cup Final a week ago, the Ibrox club have wasted no time in picking themselves up.
They booked their place in tomorrow’s Europe League Round of 32 draw with a draw against Young Boys of Berne, and delighted supporters further by announcing manager Steven Gerrard had signed his new deal.
However, Robinson, who led his team to a 3-3 draw in the corresponding fixture last season, warns he and his players also have cause to feel good about themselves.
“Listen, we are looking forward to it. We’ve won three out of our last three and we haven’t conceded any goals,” he said.
“Obviously Rangers are at a different level from what we have faced.
“It will be a tough test, but we are not going in with any fear. We are going in with a lot of respect, but no fear.
“We have players who can hurt them. We went to Ibrox and we had chances to win the game.
“We lost (2-1) but should have come away with a draw. We’ll go for it this time, that’s for sure.”
Another reason for the Fir Park boss to feel content is the comparative good health of his squad.
“No one ever wrote about it, no one ever spoke about it. But this time last year, we had 13 injuries,” said Robinson.
“Thirteen injuries at a club like Motherwell is a crisis, but it wasn’t viewed that way.
“Everyone just said the team was rubbish, and I was rubbish.”
David Turnbull – who has been sidelined since his summer move to Celtic collapsed when it emerged he needed a knee operation – is making steady progress in his fight for fitness
“We won’t put any pressure on the boy,” said Robinson.
“But if we have him available for the closing stages of the season, then, yes, we will have a decision in terms of his selection to make.
“He joked with me the other day that he won’t get back in the team, but I made sure I said quality will always get in my teams.”