SCOTLAND v ENGLAND: 1 DAY TO GO
Brown: I don’t have to prove anything
ANDREW ROBERTSON was so humble when he signed for Dundee United that he headed straight into the youth team dressing room on his first day. Then manager Jackie McNamara had to redirect his Queen’s Park signing from the unders – and now he believes he’s ready to face the big boys of England. But it’s that modesty coupled with a drive to be the best that means Roberston and fellow United student Stuart Armstrong can excel against the Auld Enemy tomorrow.
McNamara’s role was key in the development of the two players who will have huge roles to play at Hampden. Spotting their raw talent, he polished them into diamonds.
Hull’s Robertson has shone in the Premier League to such an extent that Liverpool are toying with a £25 million move for him and Armstrong has enjoyed an outstanding season winning an invincible Treble with Celtic. Proud McNamara believes the dedication, hunger and humility as they’ve worked their way up to the top of the game will be on full display at Hampden.
He said: “I’d watched Andy playing for Queen’s Park and he was always on the front foot. He was positive in games, even defensively.
“I took him and his mum and dad up to St Andrews to show him around.
“I explained how we would try to help him with his strength and conditioning and that the chance was there for him to prove himself.
“On the first day, he went into the kids’ dressing room and not the first-team dressing room. I had to go away and get him to get him to the right place.
“It was a sign of him being a humble boy off the pitch but from that very preseason game no one was stopping him from getting where he wanted to go.
“It was a breath of fresh air. Stuart had been around the first team having played a few Under-21 games and he was a very intelligent lad.
“He was very balanced and focused on and off the park but Stuart needed little bits and pieces to get to the next stage and he’s achieved it. The ability was always there.
“Both of the boys are dedicated but the main thing is the hunger.
“They are not content with what they have done so far – they want more. They are inspired by others to improve and be the best they can be.
“When you are a manager and you are involved with players like that, it is so refreshing because it’s not always the case with the modern footballer.
“It’s not just about being a good footballer. It’s about handling the pressures, which have also changed.
“Social media and things have changed things, people commenting on their displays every week and coping with rejection.
“There are always people there to mock you but you try to prove people wrong.
“Andy was rejected as a kid for being too small. I was the same. Then we ended up going back to facing the team that said that and proving them wrong. It’s about having the fight, the belief and the inner drive.
“There’s more to just playing on a Saturday and the boys have the mentality to handle it with great humility.”
Confidence and a strut will also be required against the English tomorrow night but neither should be an issue for the duo given their past performances for their clubs and country.
Armstrong only has one cap, yet he marked the debut against Slovenia with a Man-of-the-Match display, while Robertson has netted against The Three Lions.
McNamara said: “Andy has already scored against England at Celtic Park and the way that he’s kicked on in his career since leaving United is fantastic.
“He’s just going higher and higher in the right direction. Stuart’s had a phenomenal season. In Scotland’s last game, he was the best player on the park.
“Playing alongside Scott Brown has really helped him and given him the freedom to express himself and score goals this season.”
McNamara, meanwhile, also has huge words of praise for Robertson’s full-back partner Kieran Tierney.
The Hoops kid is currently undertaking a task which the former Celtic man completed himself. Operating on one side at a high level for his club, while switching sides to represent your country.
McNamara made the switch from right to left and Tierney will do the opposite for the visit of the English
He said: “You open the game up a bit by coming infield and he was great at right-back in the last game – just as it’s great that we have two fantastic talents in him and Andy.
“The fact Kieran can play there speaks volumes for his talent and his attitude.
“Much is made of the Scottish game and you look at three boys such as Andy, Stuart and Kieran.
“They are all at good ages and rising higher at club level as well as establishing themselves as important performers for Scotland.
“It’s not all doom and gloom. It never has been. Unfortunately, it’s easier for people to mock things but what makes a top player is how you handle that week in, and week out.
“If you watched Ronaldo last weekend, you’ll see he’s still inspired to be the best. “He’s done so much in his career, he doesn’t need to. But he still strives. That is what separates those players from the rest.”
● Jackie McNamara took part in the Fiat Fiat Professional 4x4 Challenge. For more info on the new Fiat Fullback Pick-up visit www.fiatprofessional.co.uk/uk/Models/
fullback-pick-up SCOTT BROWN insists he has nothing to prove against England tomorrow night.
Former Manchester United and England star Paul Scholes – who scored a double at Hampden in 1999 – has questioned whether the Celtic skipper would have the same influence in the Premier League.
But Celtic skipper Brown, 31, doesn’t feel the need to convince anyone he can cut it in England – not when he’s facing the toughest test of all in the Champions League with the Hoops.
Ahead of the Auld Enemy showdown, he said: “I used to watch Paul Scholes and love him as a player when I was growing up. He was a fantastic player.
“But I have not got a point to prove. I don’t have to do down to England to do that.
“I have played in the Champions League for Celtic and we have had some great results against some top-quality players.
“Everyone always mentions not going down to England. I chose to stay at Celtic for a reason.
“I have had opportunities to go down the road but I have always enjoyed my playing time at Celtic and that’s why I am still there.”