Sorry boss... but I’m just glad you didn’t get the job!
AFTER going through 12 clubs in nine years, it’s no wonder Tony Watt yearns for stability in his footballing life.
To that end, the Motherwell striker was mightily relieved when the Irish FA chose Ian Baraclough rather than Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson as Northern Ireland’s new manager this summer.
Watt signed a short-term deal at Fir Park after leaving CSKA Sofia in January before agreeing a one-year extension at the end of last term.
Motherwell, of course, secured third place in the Premiership after the season was prematurely ended and will now face Europa League qualifiers.
Watt believes Robinson has been integral to that success — and can be the manager who finally gets the best out of him after a nomadic beginning to his career.
‘The boss staying was important as, for me, he’s a manager who’ll be successful wherever he goes,’ said 26-year-old Watt. ‘I’m not sure why he didn’t get the Northern
Ireland job but I was nervous when he was being interviewed for it because it seemed certain they’d want someone of his calibre.
‘But I’m glad that he didn’t get it because I want to continue working with him. He improves me every single day at training and you can see that with other players he’s brought here and moved on.
‘He and the coaching staff made them better and I want to show the same improvement those boys did. I don’t normally comment on managers I’ve worked with, but he’s in the top two.
‘He proves success isn’t about luck — it’s all down to hard work and preparation and I hope, for the sake of this club, that he stays at Fir Park for as long as possible.
‘He knows how to play football the right way. It’s not just about getting results but about producing better players and he does that very well. His man-management is really good, which helps him to get the best out of everyone.
‘He’s destined for one of the biggest jobs in the game, but not for a while yet I hope.’
It’s almost eight years now since Watt came off the bench and wrote his name into Celtic folklore by scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Barcelona in a Champions League group match at Parkhead, a result which helped the hosts reach the last 16 of the tournament for the first time.
Great things were expected from the 18-year-old but he has struggled since departing Parkhead. Back in Scotland again, Watt believes Motherwell is the ideal club to help him kickstart both his club and international career.
‘This is a well-run club from the board to the management and the coaching staff,’ he said. ‘Everything is right for the players and it’s been about trying to bed myself in there and make myself someone the club would consider an asset.
‘Motherwell is heading in the right direction. Winning a trophy with them would be huge for me, bigger than scoring that winner against Barcelona.
‘Winning silverware anywhere other than Celtic — where I earned a championship medal seven years ago — is something I’d love.
‘It would be the biggest achievement of my career if I could win a cup here and the manager and the players have shown it’s possible as they reached both cup finals just two seasons ago and finished third in the league last season.
‘My ambition is to add to that success and to be a part of it. Otherwise, what’s the point in me even being here? What’s the point in striving for mediocrity?
‘I want to stay with Motherwell for as long as I can. This is about stability for me. Everything has been positive. We’re looking to kick on and, hopefully, I can help the team. People forget I’m a young man and I believe I still have a lot to offer in this game.
‘I’ve played for my country all the way through from Under-17 level to the full team. I know what that’s like and I want to play at the highest level, so you never know.
‘But I’m not thinking too far ahead right now. I’m simply focused on doing well with Motherwell. I’m feeling good and raring to go.’