Motherwell have appointed Stephen Robinson as their permanent manager.

The Fir Park side have confirmed that their former number two - who took temporary charge after the departure of Mark McGhee a fortnight ago - will now take the reins until May 2018.

The Northern Irishman has taken charge of two matches so far for the Steelmen, winning away to Kilmarnock before going down to a last-gasp defeat at Aberdeen last weekend.

Robinson told the club website: “I am absolutely delighted and proud to lead this football club, a club with a rich history in the Scottish game.

“It’s a great place to be with great people with a support that deserve success.

“My mission from the Board is absolutely clear. Firstly, to ensure the team have a strong finish to the SPFL Premiership season and finish as high as we possibly can between now and May.

“Then, to help shape the club going forward with a strong emphasis on hard-work, discipline and a real passion and desire for Motherwell FC that the fans can get behind and be proud of.”

Club Chairman Jim McMahon added: “We are extremely pleased Stephen has taken the role of manager and we look forward to working with him in the future.

“The Executive Board, together with representatives from both the Supervisory Board and the ‘Well Society, identified a shortlist of five candidates from over fifty applicants and as well as doing a extensive amount of background work, took its time to conclude an rigorous interview process.

“It was clear that Stephen was the outstanding candidate. He has a real vision of what the club needed in the short, medium and long-term and a plan of how he would implement it.

“His values, skills and attributes matched exactly with the criteria we developed to be the manager of this football club and we wish him every success. I would ask our fantastic supporters to get behind Stephen and the players as we aim to finish the campaign strongly.”