Saturday 25 November 2017 12:28, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been hugely impressed with the progress of Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson after giving him a helping hand in his coaching career.
Robinson visited Rodgers at Liverpool along with former Northern Ireland team-mate David Healy - now Linfield boss - while working with the Irish Football Association.
The former Luton and Bournemouth midfielder later moved to Motherwell as assistant manager before returning to Fir Park in February after a short spell at Oldham.
And the pair now meet as managers for the first time in Sunday's Betfred Cup final after Motherwell hit 20 goals and beat the likes of Aberdeen and Rangers to reach Hampden.
Rodgers said: "I was aware of Stephen of course, I remember him when he was a player and he was a very good player, and then working with the IFA.
"I didn't know Stephen at the time but I was aware that his work was very good when I spoke to a number of people.
"Then Stephen and David Healy came and spent a bit of time with us at Liverpool when I was there as the manager.
"We had a great day talking football and talking about Northern Ireland and everything that goes with it. So that was the first time we had met. They were two really good guys and two guys I am glad to see doing well.
"It was difficult at Oldham but Stephen has come to Motherwell and has done absolutely brilliant with them.
"When I analyse them and see the intensity at which they work and play with, they leave nothing in the changing room. It's all out there in the field and they have had some very good results.
"They deserve to be in the final. They got the results to demonstrate that. I have been very impressed by how he has started at Motherwell."
