Klopp: Make Robertson Scots skipper

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has waded into the debate over the vacant Scotland captaincy by insisting his left-back Andrew Robertson is the perfect choice for the role. The announcement of Scott

Brown’s international retirement this week means new national manager Alex McLeish must decide who next to wear the armband.

Darren Fletcher and James Morrison have skippered their country in the past. Most recently, Kieran Tierney was given the honour against Holland at Pittodrie in November and the Celtic full-back has the backing of his club manager, Brendan Rodgers.

But Klopp, who has started the former Dundee United full-back in eight of Liverpool’s past nine matches, feels 23-year-old Robertson would be the perfect choice.

‘100 per cent yes,’ said the German when asked about his player’s suitability for the role yesterday.

‘We spoke about his development. We spoke about the football things he has to do.

‘I am not sure about plenty of the Scotland national team players, but Robbo would be the future.

‘He’s a left-back and if you want something smart, he’s a really good option.’

Explaining how the Scot felt a part of things at Anfield even when he was on the periphery in the early part of this season, Klopp added: ‘He was in the team before he was in the team, if you understand.

‘He had a close relationship to all of the boys, so you could see he would be leading in the future.

‘Now Scotland cannot make a mistake choosing Robbo.

‘Being from the first line of Liverpool players should make him a (good choice).

‘I don’t know that many Scotland players because there are not many at Manchester City, Manchester United. But, yes, he’d be a good choice as Scotland national team captain.’

Earlier this week Rodgers forwarded the case for Tierney to succeed Brown, saying: ‘There’s no question about that. I think he’s a great ambassador for Scotland as well.’