Old guard to be treated 'properly' says new Motherwell boss

Unveiled to the media yesterday morning at Fir Park as Mark McGhee’s permanent successor, the Northern Irishman was honest about having to look at an ageing backbone to the Lanarkshire side.

However, Robinson, who was assistant over two spells to both Ian Baraclough and McGhee, insists he will be fair to those players who have dedicated a large chunk of their careers to Motherwell, insisting coaching roles could be available once their playing days are at an end.

Currently, around half of Motherwell’s first-team starters are edging towards the end of their careers. There will eventually come a time where these stalwarts need replaced, and Robinson said: “They will all be judged on their individual merits.

“I have no problems making those decisions if they are not going to be a benefit to Motherwell Football Club anymore. We will make that decision when necessary.

“But they will be treated properly. They have earned the right to be treated properly and all I’ll ever be is honest with them. I’ll tell them the truth and where I see their career.

“It’s important to retain an identity of people who have done well with Motherwell. Whether that’s in coaching or playing that remains to be scene.

“We need to rebuild a little bit as well. We need to add legs, energy and pace to the team and that’s something I am not going to be able to do right now. Further down the line it is.”

As Robinson eluded to himself, the time and place to put his stamp on this Motherwell team has been put on the backburner as the desire and need to scramble clear of the Ladbrokes Premiership relegation zone has taken greater precedence.

McGhee was removed from his role as manager on the back of a 5-1 hammering at home to Dundee, a result which left Motherwell fans fearing the worst for a club that has been an ever-present in the Scottish top flight for over three decades.

Two interim games in charge for Robinson have brought mixed results, but there was plenty of encouragement in both the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock and the narrow 1-0 reverse at Aberdeen to convince the players and board that the 42-year-old was the right man to guide them to safety.

“After Mark left we got the Kilmarnock game out of the way but the reaction of the players has been a big factor in this,” said Robinson. “Their performances on the pitch and their manner off the pitch made it very clear they wanted me to take the job.

“I had numerous phone calls from them to say take it, so that gives you a lot of positivity knowing that the players have bought into what you want to do. They always did when I was here previously as well when we finished fifth in the table last season.

“After the Aberdeen game, while I was disappointed, I felt we’d got the proper reaction from the players and that gives you a chance of being successful.”

He added: “At the moment we can’t implement changes in terms of bringing people in and adding pace to to the team, so we have to play a way that makes sure we get results and performances.

“I think in the last two games you’ve seen that’s what we’ve done. We haven’t played pretty football at times but that’s not a concern of mine at this moment in time. First and foremost is to get points on the board and get a team shape that’s not conceding goals.”