STEPHEN ROBINSON insists managing Northern Ireland would be the ‘pinnacle’ of his career. 

The Motherwell boss has been named as one of the front-runners for the Windsor Park vacancy following Michael O’Neill’s decision to step down and focus on his club duties with Stoke City.  

Robinson is adamant any interest in the role is purely hypothetical until an approach is made, but acknowledges that it would be a ‘tremendous job’ for O’Neill’s successor. 

The 45-year-old has been catapulted into contention after guiding the Steelmen to third spot in the Premiership in spite of a modest budget. 

Depending on how the campaign is ended, that could prove enough to secure Europa League qualification.

Asked whether he would consider an offer from his country, Robinson said: “In every manager’s career, it would be the pinnacle. 

“Whether people see fit that this is the right time for me, and whether I see fit that it’s the right step for me to take, that remains to be seen - because it’s a hypothetical question.

“It’s a tremendous job for somebody, a country on the up with a tremendous fanbase. Windsor Park on a game night is fantastic. 

“It’s a very hard job to fill too. Can they keep doing that and continuing that positivity Michael has created?”

Indeed, Robinson reckons the scale of O’Neill’s achievements are not fully appreciated outside Northern Ireland.

They reached the last-16 of Euro 2016 against all odds - Robinson was part of O’Neill’s coaching staff during the tournament - despite a tiny pool of players to choose from.

O’Neill has also guided Northern Ireland to the cusp of Euro 2020, with the next man at the helm charged with overcoming a playoff tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Robinson continued: “Outside of Northern Ireland, I don’t think people realise the magnitude of the job he did. 

“We have a population of 1.7 million people, a very small country, and we had no success for a very long time. 

“To produce the performances and results that he did during the Euros, and be on the verge of another qualification, he deserves every bit of credit.”

For the moment, however, Robinson’s sole focus is on Motherwell and the current period of limbo in Scottish football. 

And he reckons it is increasingly unlikely that the 2019/20 campaign will be completed on the pitch. 

Robinson has watched on with interest as the cash-rich English Premier League puts plans in place to finish the season, potentially with mass testing and state-of-the-art, socially distant facilities.

But, given the dearth of resources north of the border, he doesn’t see how the game in Scotland will be able to safely resume in a timely fashion, revealing that Motherwell have 16 players out of contract on May 31. 

He added: “In England I believe there is mass testing which is going to be done, paid for by the Premier League, but the money in the game down there is completely different to Scotland. 

“If someone comes up with a fix of how we can get back safely, within the timeline, then everyone wants to finish the season. 

“But I don’t envisage that happening, I don’t see how it’s feasible. I’m hoping someone comes up with some ideas and the answer. 

“We have around 16 players out of contract, including young professionals, and we can’t make a decision. We’re just not in a position to give any guarantees.”

Robinson added: “We are marking down a date around June 15 to get the players back, once the Scottish government relaxes the rules a little. Whether that is for pre-season or to start this season again, remains to be seen.”