Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Andy desperate to lead Scots back to big time
ANDREW Robertson helped Liverpool break their Premier League hoodoo last season and turned his attention to making a “similar” breakthrough with Scotland.
The 26-year-old former Dundee United defender was part of the Reds side which brought the top-flight title back to Anfield for the first time in 30 years.
Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and begin their 2020/21 Nations League group campaign with a home game against Israel tonight and a trip to Czech Republic on Monday.
While that competition ultimately offers the chance to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Steve Clarke’s side play Israel again in the play-off semi-final at Hampden Park next month which presents the possibility of a place at the delayed 2020 Euros and the Scotland captain revealed his ambition on that front.
Robertson said: “It is very similar in terms of Liverpool fans demanded the Premier League and the Tartan Army definitely demand that we get to a major championship.
“There was a lot of work went into Liverpool trying to win the Premier League, a lot of heartache and things like that.
“So the story between Liverpool and Scotland is probably very similar over the last 22 years unfortunately.
“I have put one of them right and I hope to put the other one right
“I’ve been in squads, more so under the Strachan era, where you could see how desperate some of the experienced lads, coming to the end of their career, were. That was the one thing missing.
“Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown are perfect examples, two unbelievable captains for this country and achieved so much in the game but the one thing that hurts them is not taking Scotland to a championships.
“We have a chance to put that right. It is a relatively young squad but we have a chance to get Scotland back to major tournaments and build on that.”
Robertson was asked the age-old question of how to fit Arsenal leftback Kieran Tierney, who has yet to play under Clarke, into the same side as the former Dundee United and Hull player.
He said: “That is up to the manager, he can deal with that.
“KT is a fantastic player. The biggest question in Scottish football is how to get us both in the team and me and him are probably both sick of that question getting asked. We don’t make that decision. It is good to have him back.”
Meanwhile, boss Clarke has stressed that tonight’s clash is “no dress rehearsal” for their play-off semi-final against Israel next month.
“No dress rehearsal,” said the former Scotland defender who has “probably” got 10 out of the 11 positions nailed down.
“I don’t think you can do that with your country. You have to win the next game. So Israel at home, in the Group B section of the Nations League and we focus on that.
“Every game that you represent your country is important and tonight will be no different and three points would be a good start.”
“It has been great to get the boots on and get back on the grass.
“We’ve had a really good week.”