Robinson says win was down to to sacked boss McGhee
MOTHERWELL caretaker boss Steve Robinson last night dedicated the win over Kilmarnock to Mark McGhee — and declined to expand on whether he wants the job going forward.
McGhee was sacked in midweek after a concerning run of results which culminated in last weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Dundee at Dens Park.
Robinson, who had been invited back on to the club’s coaching staff by McGhee barely a week earlier, presided over a much-improved performance that also carried a significant element of luck.
Killie struck the woodwork three times in an entertaining contest at Rugby Park which ended on a dramatic note when Kris Boyd’s stoppagetime penalty came crashing back off the post.
‘This has been a tough week,’ said Robinson after the 2-1 victory.
‘Mark’s been a very good friend to me and guided me in the game. A lot of those players owed Mark a performance and they gave it here.
‘I think we deserved that result in the end. I’ve had another look at their penalty and it wasn’t one. It was a tough one for (referee) Bobby Madden because it happened so quickly, but we got away with it
and it was the right result.
‘I agreed to take the team today because Motherwell Football Club have been excellent with me. There are some really good people here — between the fans, the board and people in the background — so I’ll enjoy my evening, go back and see my wife and kids and we’ll go from there.’
Robinson’s sentiment was echoed by Craig Samson, who admitted the players had been culpable in costing McGhee his job.
The goalkeeper made a couple of fine saves to help earn his team the victory and conceded that he had entered the match with a personal point to prove after some pointed newspaper criticism.
‘I was disappointed with what was said about me,’ said Samson. ‘I think today I had to try and put people right.
‘I had to try and put a performance in for the club and show I can play and can do well.
‘It was a massive result for the football club at the end of a hard week for everybody.
‘The players were disappointed to see the manager leave and we feel it was our responsibility that he lost his job.
‘Tuesday wasn’t a nice day at the club and we knew what we had to do.’
Samson was at the heart of the day’s final moment of drama when he faced Boyd’s stoppage-time penalty.
‘Boydy scored his 200th goal against me today, so congratulations to him,’ continued the keeper.
‘He is my best mate but it doesn’t make a difference. It was about Kilmarnock versus Motherwell today not Craig Samson v Kris Boyd.
‘Luckily enough, we won the game. I’ve not spoken to him yet but I’m sure there will be a few conversations.’