CALLUM AND COLLECTED
Striker Robinson’s on a goal mission in Tbilisi
WHEN the Number 12 came up on the substitute’s board at the Aviva Stadium last month, Callum Robinson didn’t protest. He was half-expecting to be hooked.
It was approaching the hour mark against Switzerland and Mick McCarthy felt a change was needed.
No player likes to be replaced, especially not a striker when a game is in the balance and a goal is needed, but Robinson knew he hadn’t fired and Rodrio Rodriguez, the Swiss left-back, had his measure.
‘He’s a top international player, and I felt like I could do something against him. That’s the annoying thing. That night I didn’t,’ he recalled.
Robinson brings that motivational spur into battle here in Tbilisi tonight as he seeks to mark his 10th Irish cap with a first goal.
Ahead of combat in the Caucasus, the Sheffield United striker reflected with candour on his indifferent contribution against the Swiss when his timing was that bit off.
After scoring against Chelsea on August 31 in the Premier League, he didn’t fire on the night. Was he hampered by a fitness niggle?
‘I was fully fit. I had a little issue beforehand but I didn’t play at my best. That’s upsetting for myself and my family,’ he said. ‘I was disappointed in my performance. I know I can bring more.
‘I felt like my running power was low. I wasn’t getting myself in the game. I felt like I never got close to anyone on the pressing, defending-wise.
‘As a footballer you want to be top of every game and the least you can do is work hard. I felt like I wasn’t in the game or close to anyone. But that experience can help me in the next few games.’
Robinson, 24, is a chirpy personality, who has become a mainstay of the Irish set-up since his debut in the Nations League 13 months ago, when introduced by Martin O’Neill.
With his dribbling skills, pace and energy, he has been an asset either wide on the right, or through the middle. Right now, his confidence levels are surging again, helped by scoring for his new club at Stamford Bridge.
‘I’ve scored my first Premier League goal and my next target is to score my first international goal. I can’t wait for that moment.
‘Hopefully the gaffer gives me the minutes to try and get that moment. Then I’ll try and progress from there.’
As preparation for tonight, it’s a help that Robinson has already come up against the world’s best defender this season – he is unlikely to do so against Georgia.
‘(Virgil) Van Dijk is just something else. When we played Liverpool, I made three different runs in one attack and he just ran back straight and was watching me and covered every different angle.
‘When the ball is coming in the box, his positional sense stands out. You can’t get in front of him because you are not in the frame of the goal. And if you are behind him, he just clears it.
‘I have to say, he didn’t even have a sweat on. That’s how good he is. But I’m enjoying that challenge, I’m embracing that and it obviously inspires me to be better and to try and score against defenders like that. ‘Everyone’s a little bit quicker at that level, a little bit smarter. You have to make sure you bring your A game every week. You can’t hide in the Premier League.’ For all his bubbly nature, Northampton-born Robinson, who qualifies for Ireland though his Monaghan grandmother, is a willing student as he seeks to improve himself.
‘I love football and always analyse my game, good or bad. It has served me well so far.
‘Some lads would only look at their good clips but I think it’s good to look at the bad clips and ask myself why I didn’t perform.’
Robinson is likely to be in harness on the right flank with Seamus Coleman, the Irish captain. Against Gibraltar in March, they were running into each other’s space in the first half but they have a better awareness now of what is needed.
‘It was down to me to understand what Seamus was doing and I started coming into little pockets better, that’s what worked out for us. Hopefully, we can work on that partnership.’
When Ireland were last here, two years ago, they survived on 26 per cent of possession. To get the best out of Robinson and Co, they will need to up those numbers.
‘The more we have the ball, the bigger the chance we score.’ As David McGoldrick got offf the mark with his first goal in green last month, so Robinson is ready to follow.