Wigan Athletic Defender “Desperate” For Move To Scotland

The Saints are looking to add the left-back to their ranks following the injuries to Callum Booth and Tony Gallagher, with the 40-year-old boss reluctant to play experienced centre-back Andrew Considine in the role.

As the club’s analyst has previously worked for the Scottish FA, the former Scotland U19 international has been on the radar of the Perth club for some time.

MacLean is also impressed with the number of first-team games the young defender has got under his belt. Robinson featured 25 times in League One during the 2020/21 season, as the Latics narrowly avoided relegation from the third-tier.

Wigan’s number 34 then made a further 10 appearances in all competitions the following season, as the Greater Manchester side secured the League One title.

The Birkenhead-born defender headed to his hometown club Tranmere Rovers on loan last season, but only appeared twice for the Superwhites after picking up an early injury.

This temporary move was enough to satisfy MacLean’s policy of signing players on loan that have already previously been away from their parent club, due to the experience of being outside of their comfort zone in the past.

What’s been said?

“Luke has played quite a few games for Wigan then picked up an injury early on at Tranmere so that didn’t work out the way he’d hoped,” said the Scottish manager.

“He’s a former Scotland U19 international. Our analyst worked with the SFA so he’s been on his radar from that.

“The big thing for me is he’s played a decent amount of first team games since then.

“He’s played in League One and did well for Wigan.

“Luke is desperate to come here and get started. He can’t wait to be involved.”

The former Sheffield Wednesday forward added: “It’s really important to get players on loan who have played elsewhere.

“It makes it less of a gamble because they know what it’s all about.

“They’ve been in a different dressing-room, they’ve been taken out of their comfort zone and they know what to expect.

“We’ve seen that here with the loans we’ve had in the past. The ones who have had a season playing somewhere usually settle better.

“Adam Montgomery had been to Aberdeen before coming here and last season we saw the rapid progress he made.

“That has been the thinking with the loans we’ve brought in so far.”

Writer’s View

Robinson has only made the matchday squad once for Shaun Maloney’s side this season, as he was named as an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Wrexham, and he doesn’t appear to be in the 40-year-old’s plans this season.

It is nearing on three years since the 21-year-old has enjoyed regular first-team football, so I am not surprised that he is desperate to take the opportunity to move North of the border, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Robinson could well be playing for his future at the DW Stadium.