Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell is not surprised to see his Motherwell counterpart Stephen Robinson being touted for other jobs.
Robinson was earlier this week the subject of speculation linking him with the Hearts job, although Jambos chairman Ann Budge has since denied it with a statement backing under-pressure current Tynecastle boss Craig Levein.
The Steelmen have enjoyed a strong start to the Premiership season, with their 3-2 victory against Hearts in Edinburgh last week putting them third in the table.
Kettlewell has been impressed by Robinson’s injection of creativity to a Well side previously renowned for its physicality, ahead of the Staggies’ trip to Fir Park tomorrow.
Kettlewell said: “I’m certainly not commenting on anybody’s future, but when you see reports as of yesterday – it doesn’t surprise me the likes of Stephen has been linked with other jobs.
“I touched a while back about the evolution of what they have been trying to do and how they have progressed over an 18-month period.
“We have got every respect for them, and how they have acted out their plan. That is fresh in our mind. We knew they were trying to develop a different style of play.
“They have scored three goals in each of their last three games, which probably tells you how that’s moving forward with the threat they have at the top end of the pitch now.”
County enjoyed an impressive 2-1 away victory against Well in a Scottish Cup tie in January, prior to winning promotion from the Championship, however Kettlewell expects a more difficult test this time around.
He added: “You always draw on patterns and trends, but this will be an entirely different game.
“I firmly believe Motherwell are a better side than what we faced that day. That’s not being disrespectful in any way. It’s probably been that next eight or nine months of progression they have had to work and develop what they are trying to do.
“We really saw a change when we played against them in the Scottish Cup down there last season. We could see they were trying to play a completely different way, and if memory serves me right they went on a very good run after we beat them that day.
“I know Stephen was disappointed with the end result, with us being the Championship side and them being a Premiership side.
“Equally, I feel we are a stronger side now as well. It’s something we look forward to.”
Kettlewell confirmed the Staggies are still awaiting news on midfielder Iain Vigurs’ foot injury, adding: “We are hopeful that by speaking to one of the specialists we use, we can get it broken down and get a clear picture.
“It’s probably hard to give a timescale just now.”
