Manager Stephen Robinson spoke to the broadcast media on Thursday, as Motherwell prepare to take on Rangers in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The Northern Irishman tackled a wide range of subjects as his side count down to the televised fixture on Sunday.
On Sunday’s match with Rangers at Fir Park
“I am really looking forward to it. We got our first win against Livingston and I thought we played very well. We did [played well] against Hamilton at times, but didn’t quite get the rub of the green, but it was an important and we need to push on and try and get our league season kicked off.”
On Rangers and what to expect
“They’ve started well, there’s no denying it and look a lot more solid. They don’t look as if they are going to concede too many goals. That said, I’ve seen them in a few games and there are areas I feel we can exploit.
“All the talk will be about Rangers, how they’ve changed and what they are going to do. We have to very much make it about us. We’re at home and have to try and take the game to them.”
On what dynamic Kyle Lafferty will add
“I know Laff [Kyle Lafferty] really well. It’s obviously a good move for him. It’s a club he’s always supported, but I try to concentrate on us. We focus on what we can do to try and beat Rangers and how we can take the game to them. We know what their threats are, I’ve seen them four or five times and I plan to go to their European game as well.
“By the time Sunday comes, we’ll have had a very good look at them. We know where they are strong, we know where they have improved but as I’ve said, we also know where we think we can exploit them.”
On being the underdog in the matches
“I often wonder if we’re actually playing in games like this. No seriously, that’s how it is and I am happy with that and, as you say, go under the radar. It’s an important one for us to try and get our league season kicked off.”
On the Rangers’ threats for the game
“They don’t concede many goals, they are a very disciplined, well-organised side. It’s obvious the new manager and the staff have emphasised that so far this season. They have threats up front, you have already seen what Morelos can do and they’ve brought Laff [Kyle Lafferty] in.
“They’ve got various options, they’ve got different ways, formations they can play and different people they can put in, so we’ll try and be as well prepared as we can for what will come.”
On whether on not Rangers can challenge for the title.
“It’s not for me to say who can challenge for the league title, it’s for me to worry about Motherwell, about kicking our league season off and making sure we go into Sunday with a game plan for trying to win it. It’s not for me to assess Rangers’ chances of winning the league, I am the Motherwell manager and that’s my sole focus.”
On whether last weekend’s win gives the team added confidence going into the match.
“It’s amazing the atmosphere around the place when you do win a game. Obviously everyone was disappointed after the Hamilton game and that was magnified one million times because it’s your local rivals. However, we knew the good things we did in that and what we had to improve on and I felt we did that against Livingston.
“The atmosphere around the place since has been really good, really positive and there’s no fear factor from us. We genuinely believe we can go in and give them a real game.”
On showing Rangers “no respect”
“I am not sure about showing them no respect. I’ve got the upmost respect for every club we play against. So respect yes, but fear factor, no. We’ll try our best to impose ourselves and our game on them.”
On pyrotechnics after Police Scotland’s Chief Constable’s comments on pyrotechnics
“To be honest, I have no knowledge of how dangerous they are. It’s not my area of expertise, I tend to try and stick to what I know. What I would say is that I think Scottish football is very safe and I’d have no problems taking my children to matches.
“As a matter of fact, both are coming to the game this Sunday and I have no concerns. I don’t know if I am in a position to overrule the Chief Constable as it were, he’ll know better than me I suppose.”
On whether pyrotechnics have disrupted any matches
“Personally speaking, they haven’t disrupted any games I’ve been involved in. If anything, they add colour, but I am obviously not an expert on whether they are dangerous or not. All I can speak from is my own experiences and they haven’t caused a problem in any game I’ve been involved.”
On Gary Holt being appointed Livingston manager
“I wish any manager taking any job the very best of luck. It’s such a difficult industry with a severe lack of patience. He’s got experience, he knows the Scottish game and I wish Gary all the very best, expect in games against us, of course.”
On Kenny Miller and if he is of interest now he’s a free agent
“I’ve got a lot of depth in that area at the moment. Ryan Bowman will be available for the game on Sunday having trained all week. You never rule anything out in football, but I certainly wouldn’t discuss who I want to bring to the club in this setting. It’s something I try to keep in house out of respect for everybody.”
On two players included in the Scotland Under 21 squad
“Their inclusion is thoroughly deserved in my opinion. We gave Allan a rest last weekend as he hasn’t had a break all summer. He played five games for the U20s and was terrific, as he was when he came on last weekend. Chris Cadden has gone from strength to strength and I sure Alex [McLeish] will be very aware of both when it comes to the full squad.”
On whether both can progress to the full Scotland squad
“I do – I’ve spoke to Alex at games and he’s very aware of both boys. It’s only a matter of time, but it’s obviously important that both keep doing the business for Motherwell and keep producing their best form and if they do, I am sure they’ll get their just rewards.”
What other teams news do you have ahead of the game
“Ryan Bowman is available for selection as is Liam Grimshaw. We’ve still got Charles Dunne, Craig Tanner and Liam Donnelly missing, but we have a bigger squad than we did last weekend!”
On whether Rangers’ early season performance / Gerrard is good for the game
“It certainly raises the profile of the league in terms of live matches, publicity and the amount of press it gets. Hopefully, in turn, that brings additional finances into the game, which improves the overall structure of Scottish football that, for me, is very much on the up. If anyone is contributing to that, whether it’s Rangers, Aberdeen or anyone else, then of course we welcome that.”
On the different challenge posed by Rangers after the summer overhaul
“You’ve said it – they have an overhaul so they’ll obviously be a different team with different players. Every manager that comes in has a different way of doing things, different way of playing and a different way to set up, so they’ll be different in that aspect.
“Again, it’s not for me to comment on whether they’ve improved or haven’t improved under previous managers. That’s none of my business as I say Motherwell and winning games is my sole focus and I will concentrate on us without worrying too much about what goes on with anyone else.”
