ROAD TO HAMPDEN SPECIAL
SCOTTISH CUP FIFTH ROUND
MOTHERWELL manager Stephen Robinson has revealed that new signing Tony Watt knocked back more lucrative financial packages to join the Fir Park club on a deal until the end of the season.
Free agent Watt had attracted interest from other Premiership sides after he departed Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia last month — and the offers that were put to him were far greater than what Motherwell could afford.
Watt, however, opted for the Steelmen and Robinson believes their reputation for helping players get their careers back on track was key to the former Celtic and St Johnstone striker signing for the Steelmen.
The 26-year-old will forever be famed for scoring the winner for Celtic against Barcelona in 2012, but since then he has had spells in Belgium, England, Scotland and Bulgaria.
Robinson is convinced, however, that Watt is still hungry to succeed and Motherwell will give him the opportunity to showcase his talent and win a longer deal.
‘Tony had other offers, and for a lot more money,’ said Robinson. ‘He decided not to take it and it was a case of him believing this was the right place for him to get his career going again.
‘That is a compliment to the staff here and, hopefully, we can be good for each other.
‘I knew there were bigger clubs with bigger budgets available to Tony but he picked here. He is very much focused on doing well for us and that was the attraction for me. He has undoubted talent. He has scored goals at a good level and we have to get him back to that.
‘Everyone thinks people need pushed but sometimes they need a bit of love and a home. I think that is the same as Chris Long.
‘They need an arm around them, but sometimes they need a kick up the backside to keep them going in the right direction. But they have to know you believe in them.
‘You don’t ever lose the knack of scoring goals. There was never any question about his ability, it was about where he was fitness-wise and where he wanted to go.
‘I am convinced this is the right place for him and, if it works for everyone, we will look to make it a longer stay.
‘I am convinced Tony has his hunger back and you could never cast any doubt on his talent. We have a reputation for getting boys back to what they can do and I am sure he will be a big benefit to us. You sign players and look at their attributes and his are superb.
‘He is a No9 who holds the ball up, brings others into play and scores goals. My question was: “Is his hunger still there?” and it is.’
Robinson was keen to add to Motherwell’s attacking options after James Scott’s deadline-day £1.5million move to Hull City.
‘At this stage, you are looking at free transfers as we lost James at the last minute,’ he added. ‘We didn’t get to replace him and I felt that we were short of experience in that area.
‘It is a short-term contract, which will hopefully lead to more. I have had players before that have gone on their reputation but that’s not why I signed him, I signed him on the here and now.
‘What he did years ago is totally irrelevant, it is what he does now that concerns me. He wants to get his career back on track again. He is only 26, so there is no reason why we can’t give him a platform. Then it is up to him.’
Meanwhile, Motherwell have injury doubts over Declan Gallagher and Allan Campbell ahead of their Scottish Cup clash with St Mirren in Paisley, but both will be given the opportunity to prove their fitness.
The Fir Park club snapped up Newcastle’s Rolando Aarons on loan on deadline day and the winger has revealed that he ignored interest from Kilmarnock to join the Steelmen.
The 24-year-old said: ‘That was presented to me, but respectfully, I didn’t feel like that was the right option for me.
‘When I heard Motherwell were interested on the last day of the window, my team and I did a bit of research on how they play. I had heard a lot about the coaching and knew where they are in the league, so that massively helped my decision. It made a lot of sense.
‘They press high, they like to use width and they like their wide men running at defenders. As a wide player, you can’t really ask for an awful lot more.’
Meanwhile, the Buddies have suffered an injury blow ahead of the match after Ryan Flynn was ruled out for the season.
The midfielder has been diagnosed with cruciate-ligament damage after suffering a knee injury against Hamilton in midweek.