Scottish game deserves respect – just look at how good Virgil and Robbo are
JAMES Milner believes the success of Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool proves that Scottish football is far better than its many detractors claim – and refused to rule out a move to one of the Glasgow clubs himself in future.
He played alongside Robertson, who started out at Queen’s Park and Dundee United before moving to Hull City, and Van Dijk, who spent two years at Celtic before last season as the Anfield club went all the way to the final of the Champions League.
The left-back and the centre-half were both outstanding for Jurgen Klopp’s side in emphatic victories over Porto, Manchester City and Roma and performed well against eventual winners Real Madrid in the final in Kiev.
“I don’t know if Scottish football gets a bad rap because of the England Scotland banter thing,” Milner said. “But we are surrounded by people who tune into the Old Firm game. The league has been tough for Rangers given what they have gone through.
“I don’t have experience of Scottish football myself, but I have seen the players who have come down from Scotland over the years and know players who are in Scotland now. I think you can see how many good players there are.
“Some of things that are said are probably a bit disrespectful. It deserves respect because of the size of the two Glasgow clubs if nothing else. You can see the buzz around them, the amount of people who want to watch the Old Firm game, the crowds they get, the atmosphere create.”
He added: “There is a bit of added spice this time with the two managers [Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard] going up against each other and their history.”
Asked if he would consider a move to either Celtic or Rangers in future, Milner said: “I would never say never. You never know what is going to happen.” they