Just like old times
Robertson thrilled to see good pal Souttar re-join international set-up
THE plush La Finca Resort outside Murcia in Spain where Scotland prepared for their Qatar 2022 qualifier against Moldova this week was pretty far removed from the accommodation that Andy Robertson and John Souttar first shared.
Robertson and Souttar lived in flat together along with Ryan Gauld and Joe McGovern when they were young players at Dundee United many years ago – and it is safe to assume the surroundings were not quite so luxurious.
The Liverpool left-back has enjoyed being reunited with the Hearts centre-half, who has successfully overcome the horrendous injury problems which have plagued him for the past two seasons and is performing brilliantly for the Tynecastle club this season, in recent days.
The Scotland skipper has, too, been impressed with the defender’s showings in training and would love to see him involved in the Group F match here in Chisinau this evening.
If the old roomies can help their country record a victory that secures a play-off place they will take a step closer to an achievement that exceeded their wildest expectations when they were starting out as professionals at Tannadice – World Cup qualification.
“I was absolutely delighted to see John on Monday when we met up,” he said. “The boy has been through a torrid time. First and foremost I was just happy to see him back on the park for Hearts and doing what he loves.
“Now he has taken the game to the next level, I believe. He has been unbelievable this week. He’s been aggressive in defending, winning headers, winning everything. That’s the competition we need.
“John, at a young age, showed his potential and showed how good he can be. Unfortunately, injuries have set him back a wee bit, but I do believe he’s back on track. He fit and he’s back playing really good football with Hearts.
“I’m buzzing to have him back. He’s one of my good pals and it’s nice to see him bounce back when people told him that he was never going to play again.
“Just to see him fit and healthy is the main thing, but to see him playing with confidence is another thing and the credit all goes to him. He’s worked so hard to come back from horrific injuries and I think he’s got a deserved call-up.”
Robertson added: “The dream for all of us was to be in the Scotland squad together. We always wanted to represent our country and it’s great to have John here.
“It’s two massive games for us right at the end of qualification and we know how important they are and what’s at stake. So it’s great to have him involved and hopefully we can get the required results and have a big March to look forward to.”
Robertson had never encountered Jacob Brown, the Stoke City forward who has
been drafted into the Scotland squad by manager Steve Clarke after some impressive displays up front in the English Championship, before this week.
But he sees no reason why Brown can’t take advantage of Lyndon Dykes absence – the Queens Park Rangers striker is suspended for the Moldova match – and help the national team to record the victory they need in Chisinau.
“He’s settled in really well off the pitch,” he said. “He’s a lovely guy and the lads have really taken to him, which is important and has helped him settle in.
“I think it’s important to make new boys feel welcome when they first come in and the quicker they settle in off the pitch, the quicker they settle in on the pitch.
“We’ve seen that in training. He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s fast and he’s got a goal in him. He’s obviously done well at Stoke and although a lot of the Tartan Army might not have heard of him before the gaffer called him up, I’m sure they’ll know about him quick enough.
“He’s a good player, still relatively young but he can keep getting better and better and I’m excited to see how he does in a Scotland shirt, adding quality to the squad and it’s so important we keep on doing that.
“He’s certainly shown that in training and if he gets minutes on the pitch, I’m sure he’ll do the same thing.”
Robertson has experienced a few crushing disappointments during his 53-cap Scotland career and will do everything he can against Moldova to ensure the national team’s hard work in their Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign doesn’t go to waste.
“I’ve been involved in a few so-called banana skins,” he said. “I’ve drawn against Lithuania at home on a hugely disappointing night. There was the defeat to Georgia away in the not-so-distant past.
“But this group of boys have done well in the campaigns. It’s important we now see it through because so far this campaign has been reasonably good.
“We’ve still a couple of results that could have been better, but the aim was to finish in second place or above. We have put ourselves in the best possible position to do that and now we are so close.
“We have two games left, one of them against the top seed and it’s important we try to wrap up second place before Monday night.”
He has taken his game to the next level, I believe. He has been unbelievable this week. He’s been winning everything