Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Robbo delighted hopes they ‘kick
A N DY Ro b e r t s on h a s expressed his delight at Dundee United’s return to the Premiership.
The Liverpool star – PFA Scotland Young Player of The Year in his sole top-flight campaign in the City of Discovery – was ecstatic to see his old club promoted to the top tier of Scottish football.
Robbie Neilson’s Tangerines clinched the Championship title last month after the SPFL resolution to end the lower leagues passed in the wake of Dundee’s ‘yes’ vote.
The ballot also handed Scottish football chiefs the authority to do likewise in the Premiership where Robertson’s boyhood heroes Celtic are 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers, who have a game in hand.
Robertson, 26, said: “Dundee United have already been crowned champions which is amazing.
“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of that club.
“I’m delighted for all of them that they’ve managed to get back to where they belong.
“I feel they’re one of the biggest clubs in Scotland. Obviously they went through a few tough times but now they’re back and can hopefully kick on.
“There’s no hiding that I’m a Celtic fan and, of course, I want them to win the league and make it nine in a row.
“I’m sure complete it.”
T h e S c o t l a n d c a p t a i n wa s released by the Hoops at 16 before reviving his career at Queen’s Park, where his performances caught the eye of then-United boss Jackie McNamara.
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Soon Robertson – who won the Champions League with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds last season – was off to Hull City in a £2.85 million move after a stunning campaign with the Tangerines.
He hasn’t l ooked back since swapping Hull for Liverpool in 2017 and was on course for an English Premier League winners’ medal until the coronavirus crisis put football on hold.
But the left-back refused to rule out playing football on these shores later in his career.
Robertson said: “My ideal situation is to retire at Liverpool.
“But I’ve always said I would love to pull on the Celtic top and play. I played for Dundee United, which I loved.
“Never say never. I want to play as long as I can so, if that means finishing in Scotland or at one point going up to Scotland, then I’d be open to it.