Robinson draws inspiration from Well spoiling Ibrox promotion party
This afternoon’s visit to Ibrox has rekindled happy memories of the 2015 Premier League play-offs for Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson.
Back then, the Northern Irishman was working as assistant to Ian Baraclough when the Steelmen recorded their first league win on Rangers’ home turf in 21 years.
Their 3-1 success paved the way for a 6-1 aggregate victory, which both emphatically secured their continued presence in the top flight and kept the Govan giants in the Championship.
It is a sign of how much things have changed in three years that not only are Rangers back in the Premiership, but Robinson’s Motherwell are also heading for Ibrox with odds of around 7/1 to come out on top this time round.
“That was just a fantastic occasion,” Robinson recalled.
“I remember so clearly the pressure on us to win.
“It was a massive game for us and we had a game plan that worked brilliantly.
“The atmosphere when we went 1-0 up will live with me forever. The noise at Ibrox was just incredible.
“Normally it is the other way around when your team goes 1-0 down. But the atmosphere that night was one that will live with me for a long time.
“Was it a shock? I think the thing you have to remember is that we were in the Premiership, and Rangers weren’t.
“So the level of football that they were playing at maybe wasn’t quite as good as had been perceived.
“And although we were under a lot of pressure, we had all the older pros at the time, guys who had been there, seen it and done it.
“I am talking about the likes of Stephen McManus, Stephen Pearson and Keith Lasley – all guys who had experienced big nights and big occasions.
“Their experience stood us in good stead in those games.
“In truth, though, even at 3-0 up at our home game in the second leg, I was still a bit nervous.
“By no stretch of the imagination did I think it was over.
“You just can’t take anything for granted when you are playing teams like Rangers on big occasions like that.”
Not that Robinson is minded to disregard the contribution made by himself and Baraclough to the play-off success.
He continued: “We knew we could win, so it was a case of getting the players to buy into the message you are giving them – and keep buying into it.
“I think that is a big thing in football. “If you can convince people that this or that can win you the game, then you have done your job.
“Mentally I think it is massive. “That is what you have to do when you go to places like Ibrox. It is the same this week.
“We have been working on things in preparation for meeting Rangers and I know the boys will believe in what we are doing, and will try to carry it out to the letter.
“But at the core will be the desire to not just go there to make up the numbers.
“Don’t just be happy with a 1-0 defeat because you can bring the team on to you, then counter-attack and play into areas where you can hurt them.”
The 3-3 draw when the teams met at Fir Park earlier this season gives substance to that argument.
Robinson says there is also plenty of evidence to support the perceived wisdom that Rangers are an entirely different proposition at home from when they are on their travels.
“I think that is true,” said the Motherwell manager.
I’ve been to Ibrox quite a few times, especially on the European nights, and the atmosphere created is incredible.
“You have to play with that atmosphere and not get caught up in it.
“You have to remember Rangers are 11 players.
“You have to forget the badge, and the 40,000-odd people supporting them inside the ground.
“That’s easier said than done at times given the atmosphere.
“But you have to remember that’s what it is.”