Barry Robson tempers Stuart Kettlewell brewing row as Aberdeen boss never had an 'easy game' at Motherwell

Aberdeen boss Barry Robson has moved to defuse any possible war of words with Stuart Kettlewell.

Robson was surprised when he was told he had irked the Motherwell manager with his post-match comments at Kilmarnock, where he said that they were looking to bounce back with a win at Fir Park to take into the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Hibs this weekend.

Robson has insisted he has never had an easy game at Fir Park in his life and knows his team will need to be at their best again to get a result tonight. Robson stated: “I have been in the Scottish game for 25 to 30 years and I have never ever had an easy game at Motherwell. I am not going to come out and say we are definitely going to win there. I know how tough it will be because I’ve had tough games with Celtic, Dundee United and Aberdeen. It is always a hard game we know we will need to be at our best.”

Robson was also full of praise for the job that Kettlewell has done at Motherwell. He added: “You look at his record and Stuart has done a brilliant job. What I can say is that I have a lot of respect for Stuart. He has done a really good job. He has lost a few games, like me, but we all go through spells like that.

“Motherwell has been sound. I have watched Motherwell over the last few days and Stuart deserves credit for what he has done. I have a lot of time for him. He came in as interim and managed to get the job and has done brilliantly."

Aberdeen are 11th in the league but are just four points off fourth with a game-in-hand. Robson has come in for some heat from fans, as his team have struggled to juggle the demands of both the domestic and European fronts but he is confident that come the end of the season his team will deliver.

Robson stated: “Listen nobody