Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson says that Louis Moult is ready to show Aberdeen exactly what they missed out on in the summer by dumping them out of the Betfred Cup tonight.

The Fir Park star striker was the subject of a £300,000 bid from Pittodrie in the summer, an offer that was booted out by the Motherwell board at much the same speed as Moult’s second goal at Easter Road on Saturday ripped into the Hibs net.

Robinson has been impressed by how the striker has continued to go about his business in devastating fashion despite the speculation over his future, and he has backed him to fire Motherwell into the semi-finals under the lights in Lanarkshire this evening.

“Hopefully Louis will go on to score the winner and show Aberdeen what they are missing out on and show the reason why they wanted him,” said Robinson.

“Louis has scored a lot of goals this season and teams like Aberdeen are going to be interested in him. There are a lot of managers would like Louis Moult in their team. Hopefully he will show why on Thursday night.

“You can see by his performances this season that [the speculation] did not affect him. All you can do with a player in that situation is be honest with him and we spoke every day.

“But I can assure you Louis was not banging down my door wanting to leave this football club. And we were in no rush to sell him. He’s conducted himself ever so professionally.

“If someone had told you that you could buy Louis Moult for £50,000 and he would have scored the amount of goals he has, then gone for a free transfer at the end of it, you would have snapped their hand off.

“However long Louis Moult is at this football club - whether he signs a new contract or leaves at the end of the season - he’s 100 per cent committed. As you can see in his performances.

“Louis is not a big time Charlie. He mixes in with everyone. He’s one of the lads. That’s why he endears himself to the players and the crowd. He’s a boy who works hard and never causes me problems - and he deserves his success.”

Motherwell hardly require any further incentive to see off Aberdeen tonight, but Robinson has been reminded that a victory could be worth up to £300,000 to the club.

“No pressure at all then,” he joked. “We are all aware of that. It would be a massive bonus for the club if we could get a result against Aberdeen.

“The fans have just had relegation to worry about the past few seasons. It would be massive to give them a semi-final to cheer about. We’ve given them plenty to shout about this season already but it’s just a start.”

Motherwell midfielder Chris Cadden is hoping meanwhile to go one better than twin brother Nicky, who was knocked out of the competition on their 21st birthday as his Livingston side went down bravely to Hibs.

His experience as captain of the Motherwell under-20s who lifted the Scottish Youth Cup in 2016 has whetted his appetite to make it back to the national stadium, and give his family something to remember from the landmark occasion on Tuesday.

“[The Youth Cup final] was a great day and we still talk about it and the boys are still posting photos from it,” said Cadden. “What a great occasion it was, it was brilliant, and it gives you that incentive.

“I think the people at Motherwell and the fans deserve another day out at Hampden, because it’s been a wee while since we were in a semi-final.

“The fans turned out in brilliant numbers even for the Youth Cup final, so if it was the first-team it would be even better.”

As a local lad, Cadden knows only too well what it would mean to the local area to see Motherwell lift a trophy again, and the knock-on effect it would have on his weekly shop.

“We could be legends if we go out and win it, but we aren’t thinking about that right now,” he said.

“We’re just thinking about getting to the semi-final and concentrating on Aberdeen, because they are a good team.

“I was in Asda on Sunday or Monday and a few Motherwell fans came up and stressed to me the importance of the game and getting them a wee day out at Hampden, so [the attention] would be mad.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk about on Friday if we get beat! They already make sure I’ve got no sweeties or that in my trolley.”