SOME BUDDIES DIDN’T WANT ME BUT NOW I HAVE GOT SIX APPEAL Robbohappytowinoverdoubterswithtop-half finishes
Stephen Robinson admits St Mirren’s continued success has helped him silence his doubters — even from the Buddies fanbase.
The former Motherwell manager has guided the Paisley side to consecutive top-six finishes and they remain in the hunt for European football.
Ahead of a visit to Celtic Park this afternoon, Robinson recalled how one interaction with some Saints fans made him realise how important it is to block out the noise and get on with the job.
“People came up to me at the end of season dinner and told me: I don’t think you’re very good, but I’ll give you a chance,” laughed the Northern Irishman.
“I believe it was said in jest! It was nice of him to give me a chance, I appreciate that!
“Listen, you expect no different as a football manager. It tends to affect your family more than it affects you.
“Social media dictates that. People give instant opinions, 99.9 per cent of it is very uneducated and I wouldn’t want it to be anywhere near my brain.
“But that’s football, that’s the world we live in and you don’t go in expecting anything different.
“You’re going to get abuse, you’re going to get people’s opinions who are experts in the field in their own mind.
“I choose to ignore that and continue to take my advice and beliefs from people I really trust.
“It’s fantastic to actually prove people wrong. Unfortunately, it’s only a small minority that ever gets in your head.
“I’m comfortable in what I do.” The Saints are currently in fifth spot, five points behind fourthplaced Kilmarnock and four ahead of sixth place Dundee as they go into their last six games of the season.
A fourth place finish would guarantee a European place and fifth could also potentially get the Buddies into Europe if one of the top three who are all in the semifinals win the Scottish Cup.
However, Robinson believes there is no pressure on his side to clinch a European spot and he is urging his players to enjoy the remainder of the season.
“We only got two points, I believe, after the split last season, so can you better than? Can you beat the team in sixth place when it’s finally decided? Can we push on and catch Kilmarnock?” said the Saints boss.
“We’re in a potential European position at the moment and it’s up to us to go and kick on and enjoy it. We’re under absolutely no pressure.
“Nobody really expected what we’ve done, even though it’s raised the expectations of the football club, but we’re in the position now that we can go and play without fear and enjoy the rest of the season.”