Stephen Robinson relieved to make Cup Final after only one-game ban

But the Motherwell manager felt he got a fair hearing and a sensible outcome after being hit with a one-match touchline ban for misconduct'' following his dismissal in the semi-final victory over Rangers.

Robinson will sit in the stand during Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership encounter against Ross County but will be free to take his place in the Hampden technical area alongside Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers on November 26.

While Pedro Caixinha served an immediate one-match ban before being sacked by Rangers, the Motherwell manager had to endure a wait to discover his fate after the pair were both sent to the stand following a touchline clash.

The Northern Irishman was subjected to a hearing because of previous offences - he was banned from the touchline for three games in May 2016 towards the end of his first stint as Motherwell assistant following an incident with a fourth official at Aberdeen.

A two-match ban would have seen him suspended for the final but the 42-year-old managed to get his hearing pushed forward a week and the one-game ban allayed his concerns in any case.

"I got a fair hearing and with having some history with it as well, I thought the panel were extremely fair,'' Robinson said. "You hold your hand out and take your punishment for the one game, but I'm delighted to be involved in the final.

"I just felt for what it actually was, which was not a whole lot really, it was more what had happened in the past in a different capacity with different responsibilities. I got a fair hearing so we draw a line under it now and just get on with the football.''

Robinson's ban means he will have to wait until after Saturday's match to be reunited with County boss Owen Coyle.

"I know Owen Coyle well,'' the former Oldham manager said. "He will have them organised and they have had a wee bit of a bounce since he came in.

"I tried to get quite a few of his players from Blackburn last season. I met Owen quite a few times at the under-23 games that we used to watch. He was always very good with me and gave me advice.

"Obviously he has been there and done it all and it's good to speak to people who have worked at the top, top level of the game. I have total respect for him but we won't have too much respect for each other on the pitch on Saturday.''

Motherwell are aiming to get back to winning ways following a 1-0 home defeat by Hibernian.

"I thought on Saturday we stopped doing the things we were very good at,'' Robinson said.

"Hibs actually did the opposite to us. We didn't deliver enough balls into the box to create opportunities, so we will get back to doing that again.'

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