Turnbull loss is no big deal for Robinson

IF the imminent departure of David Turnbull is scarcely grounds for celebration for Stephen Robinson, nor does the Motherwell manager believe his side’s ambitions for the season are necessarily also set to walk out the door.

Turnbull didn’t train ahead of tonight’s Europa League qualifier with Glentoran and with £3million on the line via his transfer to Celtic, is unlikely to be seen in claret and amber again.

While only a fool would attempt to underplay his loss to a side that has struggled so far this season, nor is it stretching matters to suggest they can cope admirably without him. Shorn of his services for all bar two of their games last term on account of the midfielder’s knee surgery, Robinson’s men still finished best of the rest.

Asked if the likely absence of Turnbull this evening will be disruptive, Robinson replied: ‘No. We finished third with the midfield that we had.

‘We sell players. We develop them. We have done that for the last three-and-a-half years and we have done it very successfully.

‘There is a conveyor belt of players who play for us and leave. So it’s no different than anything else.’

Asked if Turnbull’s absence from training made it logical to deduce he would be unavailable tonight, Robinson replied: ‘You said that.’

Glentoran would be an awkward enough opponent even if the Motherwell boss had a full compliment of players to chose from. Although it’s 11 years since the men from East Belfast were champions of Northern Ireland, they’ve enjoyed significant investment over the past year as a consequence of the takeover which saw Mick McDermott installed as manager.

‘They’d be classed as one of the big two in Northern Ireland,’ said Lisburn man Robinson.

‘Glentoran had a barren period but are now coming back again. There’s been money put into the football club and they’ve brought in good players. I don’t think the game against Torshavn (1-0) was an indication of where they are. Northern Irish football is very much on the way up.

‘There are teams which are practically full-time now. There’s been a lot of investment into clubs — players signing for 40 grand.

‘It’s good to see. We have to deal with them and I’m confident that we will.’

These early European qualifiers can often be practical nightmares for managers trying to get a handle on opposition players and their style of play. Not on this occasion.

‘I know every one of their come back with a point to prove. Players can be dangerous animals when that’s the case. So we have to make sure we’re on our guard.

‘They have individual players who could play in the Scottish Premiership. As a collective, I’m not too sure where they’d be.

‘Ultimately, if we play the way we are capable of, then I’m confident we can get the job done.’

The other name that jumps from the squad list is Gael Bigirimana, the erstwhile Motherwell midfielder.

‘I actually got him to Glentoran,’ added Robinson. ‘Mick asked me about Bigi. I think he’s a great, great boy. I’m surprised nobody has taken a gamble on him in the SPFL.

‘Glentoran have taken a chance on him and I think they are reaping the benefits. He is a super boy and when boys conduct themselves like Bigi does, like Peter Hartley too, then you always try to help them throughout their career no matter how long they’ve been away or whether they played for you or not.’

On nights such as these, the absence of fans is particularly dispiriting. Six years on from their last European campaign, this oneoff tie is the prize for the blood, sweat and tears that were shed last season. With every last shout set to echo around Fir Park, it feels like a dubious honour.

‘We have missed the fans. We have really badly missed them,’ said Robinson just after learning that Sunday’s encounter at Celtic Park won’t now be a ‘test game’.

‘You get stick but sometimes it actually drives you. We really miss the atmosphere, the Well boys in the corner singing and getting behind the team, geeing people up.

‘It’s difficult for everybody. We’re no different from anybody else. I think the connection between the players and fans here, the whole club down, has been really sorely missed.

‘We have to go with what the Scottish Government say and the risks involved. But we are desperate to get our fans back into the football club.’