Stephen Robinson knows a Louis Moult departure from Motherwell could happen

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson admitted he is powerless to prevent the departure of Louis Moult following the striker's match-winning performance against Hearts.

Moult provided the assist for Ryan Bowman to level the scores after Kyle Lafferty's first league goal for the visitors, before a brilliant finish secured a well-deserved 2-1 win.

The striker has been linked with a move away from Fir Park this summer, and has told Robinson he does not intend to extend his current deal which runs out next summer.

However the Well manager expects him to stay at the club this season, but admitted the club may be forced to sell him if an offer comes in before the end of the transfer window on Thursday.

“I can't dictate whether he will be or won't be (here).

“What I know is he's a Motherwell player until the end of the season, minimum. He hasn't said he won't sign completely, but he's a big part of what and I want him to stay.

“Financially we might not be in a position to dictate that, but we are building something decent here.''

He added: “He's done very well today, but so did 11 others that played today.

“He's a big part of what we want to do hopefully until the end of the season.

“All I can do is keep try and keep winning football matches, put them on that platform and build for Motherwell football club.

“What others do I can't control.''

Opposite number Jon Daly was left frustrated with his side's performance as he looks to secure his own position as head coach at Hearts.

Daly is in temporary charge of the club following the abrupt departure of Ian Cathro days before the start of the season, and is believed to be one of the main contenders when an official announcement is made next week.

However he saw his side lose after going ahead through Lafferty, and the manner of the defeat left him frustrated.

“We took the goal really well, it was a great finish from big Laff and from our point of view we haven't dealt with what we expected today,'' he said.

“We expected Motherwell to go direct, play long ball, go wide and put it in the box.

“They've done that and scored two goals from it. We prepared for that and we've not dealt with it on the day.''

He added: “We lacked a bit of quality in the final third where we maybe made the wrong decisions or made the wrong pass.

“It's disappointing and the players are disappointed. We can't fault them but we knew what Motherwell would do, and they did it well.'

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