IF things had turned out differently, Trevor Carson may have been lining up in the opposite goalmouth on Sunday at Fir Park. As it is, the Motherwell goalkeeper will take to his home field and brace himself to keep out the potent Celtic attack, while Scott Bain will take the gloves for the champions.

Carson, of course, was subject of a bid from Celtic late in the January transfer window after their number one Craig Gordon picked up a long-term injury, and back-up Dorus de Vries has subsequently joined him on the treatment table.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson admits it was a missed opportunity for his keeper, but if Carson keeps up the impressive form he has shown since moving north from Hartlepool in the summer, he is sure that his time will come. And Robinson has no concerns though about the focus of his number one when he takes to the pitch on Sunday.

“Trevor is not that kind of boy,” said Robinson. “We had an honest chat, and it wasn’t enough money.

“It was an opportunity for Trevor, but once he knew that the opportunity wasn’t there – and I was dictating when he would go, not him or agents or anyone else – he has knuckled down and he’s been superb.

“He’s got his just rewards with an international call up, and hopefully he will get his senior debut in the coming weeks.

“Trevor will possibly go on to a bigger club, but it will be on our terms, and the only way he can do that is by performing well.”

Robinson believes that being up front with Carson over Celtic’s interest has helped to solidify Carson’s commitment to the Motherwell cause, whatever his long-term ambitions may be.

“I speak to all the players if there’s any interest or any bids that come in, then I’m honest with them,” he said. “I tell them the truth, and sometimes they don’t like it, but if you work like that then you get your rewards.

“The boys respect that, they play for the football club and I believe they play for me too.”

A more pressing concern for Robinson is that he will go into Sunday’s game without the creative talents of Craig Tanner, with the attacker suffering a freak knee injury in training yesterday that will sideline him for six months.

“He’s going to be a big miss,” said Robinson.

“It’s a disappointment for us but it’s now time for other people who have told me they haven’t had the opportunities to step up to the plate.

“If they need any kind of inspiration to do it for one of the boys who is very popular in the dressing room, then why not?