Motherwell boss hopes he can persuade Louis Moult to sign new deal
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson vowed to continue persuading Louis Moult to extend his Fir Park stay after the striker netted his fifth goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson vowed to continue persuading Louis Moult to extend his Fir Park stay after the striker netted his fifth goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Moult netted a late penalty and forced a series of saves from Jamie MacDonald as Motherwell completed a hat-trick of home victories to move up to fifth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The 25-year-old was the subject of a failed bid from Aberdeen in July and declined the chance to sign a new contract, but Robinson will not give up on keeping him in Lanarkshire beyond the end of the season.
“Anybody that scores that amount of goals, we don't want to leave the football club,” Robinson said. “I haven't given up hope of keeping Louis at the club, not by any stretch of the imagination, and will continue speaking to him.”
Robinson has two in-form strikers with Ryan Bowman netting his second goal in two games. The former Carlisle and Gateshead forward finished confidently into the roof of the net in the 65th minute after a tidy pass from substitute Gael Bigirimana, and won the 88th-minute spot-kick following Iain Wilson's foul.
Bowman only scored twice last season and already has four to his name this term.
“I thought Bowie was excellent, really really good,” said Robinson, who revealed defender Charles Dunne went off at half-time after struggling with illness.
“His hold-up play as well as his goal, and his energy and desire. I think that's why the fans have been patient with him. But now he is adding goals and we are delighted for him.
“Alex Fisher and Craig Tanner have trained brilliantly this week so the two of them have to be on their mettle. They have to be on top form because we have players who can come in and challenge both of them.”
Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch admitted his side had failed to match their opponents after the break.
“We didn't play well second half, didn't pass the ball at all like the first half,'' he said. I thought we did all right first half, passed the ball well. We were forced into making a change, Gordon Greer was struggling with his groin.
“The first 25 minutes Motherwell were the better team, more aggressive, winning second balls and probably looked the team that would go and win the game."