Motherwell boss Robbo: 30/1 bookies odds on us to beat champs Celtic don't bother me

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is hoping that his troops can make a mockery of bookies' odds which make his side a mammoth 30 to one to beat Celtic this Sunday.
Motherwell gaffer Stephen Robinson has a word with fourth official Craig Charleston during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hamilton Accies (Pic by Ian McFadyen)Motherwell gaffer Stephen Robinson has a word with fourth official Craig Charleston during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hamilton Accies (Pic by Ian McFadyen)
Motherwell gaffer Stephen Robinson has a word with fourth official Craig Charleston during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hamilton Accies (Pic by Ian McFadyen)

One major betting firm clearly rates the Steelmen as no hopers going into the clash against the reigning treble holders and league leaders.

But Robinson – whose side were only two minutes away from beating Celtic in the last Fir Park league contest, a 1-1 draw in November – is having none of it.

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“Truthfully I don’t care what the bookies say,” Robinson said.

“We’ll turn up, we’ll play the match, we’ll be very competitive and we’ll see where it goes.

“We’ve had two close games against Celtic (Motherwell also played very well against the Glasgow giants in November’s Betfred Cup final before having defender Cedric Kipre sent off and a penalty conceded in a game they eventually lost 2-0).

“We’ll get over this game now, we’ll get back to basics and do what we do well to make sure that we have an opportunity to beat Celtic because if we play like we did against Accies we certainly won’t.”

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There is no doubt that a major improvement will be required by the Steelmen in this Sunday’s live Sky Sports clash, which kicks off at 2.15pm.

In an obvious blow to Motherwell going into the clash, they will be without on loan striker Nadir Ciftci against his parent club Celtic from whom he joined on loan in January.

Ciftci was only employed as a second half substitute in Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 derby defeat at Hamilton, but Robinson said that this had been nothing to do with direct preparations for playing Celtic.

“The fact that I didn’t have Nadir in the team was absolutely nothing to do with that, no,” he added.

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“I wanted to be solid in midfield and Tanner and Main have been better in recent weeks.

“That’s why the team was picked.”

Despite Motherwell’s overall poor performance against Accies, Robinson refused to blame his defenders for the defeat.

The Motherwell gaffer also praised Tom Aldred, who has largely been hugely impressive since coming into the team as injured Peter Hartley’s replacement following his January loan move from Bury.

“I don’t think it was the back three against Accies that cost us,” he said.

“Tom’s been excellent since he came here.

“Obviously we could do with Peter but it’s not to be until the end of the season.

“The boys have stepped in but against Hamilton we weren’t at the races.”