Pie in the sky as Robertson goes from Hampden vendor to captain
ANDY ROBERTSON’S rags to riches story may already be well-worn, but just when you think you’ve heard it all about his remarkable tale, another scarcely believable plot twist is thrown up to catch you by surprise.
Not that his unveiling as Alex McLeish’s choice as Scotland captain yesterday should come as too much of a shock really, given his unbelievable rise from Queen’s Park hopeful to Liverpool’s left-back in last season’s Champions League final.
For Scotland No 2 Peter Grant, the former Dundee United and Hull City man was always the natural choice to lead his country. Robertson should feel at ease as he leads his country out at the national stadium after all, having not only played at the venue, but also having served up the pies and bovrils to the punters.
And it is no accident that Robertson will now be held up as an example for young Scottish players of what can be achieved when dedication and resilience is married to talent.
“[It’s a] fantastic story,” Grant said. “The games we have been here Andy has been here and he has been magnificent around the group. But I think it is great for young players.
“When Alex, myself and James [McFadden] have been sitting around talking about it, it is the sort of story that gives hope to young players these days.
“They are so many getting released at a young age and thinking it is the end of the world. But I think Andy’s proof that if you get that you have to keep fighting – it is one man’s opinion or one club’s opinion.
“It is remarkable going from selling food at Hampden to leading the team out there.
“We talk about grassroots, for me that is the ultimate – you get released from one club and think it is the end and then go amateur and all of a sudden you bounce back and you are playing in Champions League finals and playing exceptionally well in a fantastically talented side.
“We like the way he goes about his business, the way he handles himself, the way others respect him. We think that is very important. Everyone knows his journey because he is ages with some of them. He knows a hell of a lot of them. They appreciate what he has done and achieved. Some of those boys have gone to big clubs and stayed there. But Andy was told he was probably not going to be good enough for that particular big club. All of a sudden, he is the one who’s come to forefront.”
Choosing a captain can be a thorny issue, with the potential to divide a dressing room just as likely as the potential of uniting it.
But the likes of Charlie Mulgrew, who captained the team against Peru in the summer trip to the Americas, have welcome the appointment with enthusiasm, and Grant hopes that senior professionals like the Blackburn skipper can be good sounding boards for the new national captain.
“They were as pleased for him as anyone else,” he said. “Charlie Mulgrew has been magnificent since we took over, even going to Mexico and Peru. It would haven easy for an experienced player to pull out. He came and led by example.
“He will be a big part for helping Andy – it is difficult, it is not a club side where you are there day in and day out.
“We have the mixture of young and old boys, we just felt we needed someone in they all look up to. There’s no doubt that’s what they do – we are chuffed for him.”
Meanwhile, Grant was pleased to welcome Robert Snodgrass back after the West Ham man had apparently previously asked not to be considered for the matches against Belgium and Albania.
“We’ve all go family and we understand there’s issues at certain times that need to be cleared up,” he said. “He was on the phone to us saying I’m available to play. We’re absolutely delighted, and he was like a kid in a sweet shop at training.”