Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson not giving up top six place
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has told his players to make sure they do not give up on the top six ahead of Tuesday's visit of Aberdeen.
Rangers' comeback from two goals down to claim a point at Fir Park on Saturday, followed by Hearts' draw at Dundee, left Motherwell six points behind the Edinburgh side ahead of Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership split.
Motherwell need to beat Aberdeen and St Johnstone and hope the Dons win at Tynecastle while securing an eight-goal swing on goal difference.
But Robinson has told his players to concentrate on the here and now rather than thinking ahead to their WIlliam Hill Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Derek McInnes' side on April 14.
"Every game will be on an individual merit,'' he said. "But what I do know is you'll have two managers trying to win the game. Derek obviously got a big incentive to get second place, they have had a fantastic season.
"We just have to keep winning our games. We have two games before the split and we have to win both of them. We will both set out to do that.
"I think our boys have belief anyway, especially here, we can beat anybody. If we do take that win I suppose it will be a bonus to take into it (the semi-final), but we will judge this game on its merits.
"There is still an outside chance of top six for us so we have to make sure we are not left going 'if only'. We have to just make sure we win this game and we will take the semi-final on its own merits.''
Robinson, who will give fitness tests to Nadir Ciftci and Charles Dunne, added: "Football is a strange game. You can only take care of your bit, and if we take care of getting three points on Tuesday night and again on Saturday, then who knows?
"Of course it's an outside chance and it's in Hearts' hands, but we have to do our bit. And, more to the point, we have to continue the run we are on and build momentum.'