Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has enough incentive to mastermind his team to a sensational win over Rangers in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden tomorrow.

For the Fir Park club and their supporters, there is little doubt that it is one of their biggest games in some time, with it being over six years since they last graced such a stage.

It’s just not quite big enough to tear Robinson’s own father away from his usual weekend at the caravan to pop over from the Emerald Isle to witness it though; he’ll have to get to the final for that.

“I’ve got family coming over,” said Robinson. “Everyone but my mum and dad. Dad is going up to the caravan in Portrush with my mum this weekend and he will be tuning into his wireless.

“He is not superstitious. He just prefers his caravan and doesn’t think the semi-final is a big enough occasion to fly over! He says he’s going to wait until the final. He will probably spend his weekend playing the slot machines.”

It may be the case that it is not only Robinson senior who is a little underwhelmed by the challenge of taking on Rangers, with the Motherwell boss also keen to play down any perceived gulf in quality between the sides.

In the past, some Motherwell fans have levelled the accusation at previous management teams that they have been too deferential to the opposition when approaching games such as this.

With Robinson at the helm though, you sense there is little chance of his side being beaten almost before a ball is kicked.

“There’s no danger of that at all,” he said. “How can I make the players believe in themselves? Simply tell them to keep doing what they are doing. If we do that we will compete as much as we possibly and then we will get the ball down and play.

“We are a well organised team and we know what Rangers’ strengths are. We will not underestimate the task facing us – but we are not frightened or daunted by it. We intend to match them.”

The rapid transformation in Motherwell’s fortunes after a summer of upheaval at the club has surprised even the man who oversaw that overhaul of the playing squad.

Robinson said: “We probably didn’t expect to be contesting a semi-final so soon if I’m honest, but I didn’t think we would be fighting relegation either, contrary to what the pundits had said.

“I can see why they thought that, because we signed a lot of new players and we’d been down the bottom of the table in the previous two seasons, so they have every right to say that.

“We’ve surpassed everyone’s expectations out of here, and we probably thought it would take longer too if we’re honest.

“But they’ve hit the ground running, they’ve bought into lots of ideas.”

And while Motherwell’s success thus far has been built around a solid team ethic, there is no doubt who the man Rangers will be fearing most in claret and amber will be tomorrow afternoon.

“I didn’t sign Louis Moult so I can’t take the credit for that, but he’s been a fantastic signing for this football club,” said Robinson.

“I believe it was £50,000 – which wasn’t paid up front I would imagine. It was probably paid up in 25 instalments of £2000.

“But Louis has been brilliant for us. He is a match-winner and I’m sure people will be fearful of him.”

For many of Motherwell’s collection of players assembled chiefly from the lower reaches of the English game, the match at the national stadium will likely represent the biggest of their careers to date.

That can produce one of two reactions, with individuals either rising to that occasion or being cowed by it. Robinson is in no doubt which of those scenarios he is expecting to unfold among his squad come that first whistle, backing his men to savour the whole experience and relish the opportunity to give the favourites a bloody nose.

“It’s a big stadium, a big crowd, a big atmosphere.” he said. ‘We won 5-1 at Hampden the last time I was there against Queens Park so I’d like to remember that one.

“But it’s not about the razzmatazz – it’s about 11 v 11. Our boys won’t get carried away by the occasion and if they turn up on the day it will be an interesting game.

“It will be a terrific experience. We are going to enjoy it. If you can’t enjoy taking your club to a cup semi final at Hampden you shouldn’t be in football.”

Amid the excitement engulfing Fir Park this week, Robinson took time to acknowledge the unimaginable loss suffered by Terry Butcher, a man who used to occupy his office, whose son passed away on Monday.

“Terry has been in our thoughts this week,” he said. “He is a big personality and he did terrific here, and he has left a lot of good memories at this football club.

“It is a really sad time for Terry and his family right now. Our thoughts as a football club are very much with him. Nobody knows what they are going through right now and I can’t even pretend to imagine how it feels. If we can maybe ease some sort of pain then that would be superb.”