Robertson looks set to be one Eck of a loss for Scots
ANDREW Robertson’s outstanding run in the Champions League with Liverpool appears likely to exclude him from Scotland’s summer fixtures in Peru and Mexico.
The left-back played 90 minutes for his club on Tuesday night as they amassed a 5-2 first-leg lead over Roma in the semi-finals. Providing Jurgen Klopp’s side go on to complete the job in Italy next week, Robertson will be facing a Champions League final date against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich on Saturday, May 26.
That showpiece in Kiev falls three days after Scotland fly out to Peru to begin preparations for a friendly in Lima on May 29. Alex McLeish’s squad then head north to Mexico for a second match on June 2.
While Robertson could feasibly travel back to the UK from Ukraine before heading across the Atlantic, McLeish admitted the 24-year-old’s potential schedule presented an obvious issue.
There may also be a doubt about the involvement of Manchester United youngster Scott McTominay, who could cap a breakthrough season with involvement against Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 19.
Although determined to take a strong squad to games he views as vital to formulating plans for the Nations League this autumn, McLeish will have to indulge in some diplomacy with clubs before finalising his squad next month.
‘It could be difficult with the Champions League and FA Cup finals,’ said the Scotland boss, referring to Robertson and McTominay. ‘It could be a case for Plan B for guys that could be missing.’
Despite the potential clash of
commitments, McLeish hopes Robertson’s hugely impressive form for Liverpool can act as an inspiration to other Scottish players.
‘Robertson’s rise has been meteoric,’ he said. ‘He’s a great kid with great attributes, a superb professional and it raises the profile (of the Scottish game).
‘Scott has made his breakthrough. He’s been ill in the past few weeks but he’s not far from being a very good Manchester United player.
‘We’ve a few playing at good levels in England, although maybe not as high as those two.
‘Those types take your squad to another dimension. The Celtic guys have played Champions League and have showed good rhythm when they’ve played for Scotland.
‘With Robertson (right), you see it in training. Every training session is done to the maximum tempo.
‘That’s why I was so impressed by the squad at the last training camp. They wanted to be involved and no one looked out of place. Robertson is a good role model for the whole squad.’ The English Championship play-off final also falls on May 26 and could present a
further problem for McLeish. Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald and Cardiff ’s Callum Paterson are among the players who could be involved. McLeish, though, insists he won’t be taking a shadow selection to South America. A further round of talks will be held with Brendan Rodgers to determine which Celtic players will be included for a trip the Parkhead club have criticised. Craig Gordon, Jack Hendry, Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and Ryan Christie — who will return from a loan spell at Aberdeen this summer — have all been capped in recent times. ‘I am still to have that second conversation,’ added McLeish. ‘Brendan was very honest about everything. I need to pick a squad and he knows that. ‘I am prepared to make a concession here or there. There is the term burn-out, which has happened in the past, and I understand that. I’m aware some players will have played a lot of games.’ He is heartened by the attitude many players are showing towards the
post-season fixtures. Griffiths has expressed his desire to be involved, insisting it would be beneficial after missing two months of the campaign with calf problems.
‘Do I expect a lot of call-offs? That is not the vibe I’m getting,’ said McLeish. ‘I want to take as strong as a squad as I can because this, in essence, is the build-up to the qualifiers.
‘Why shouldn’t you want to play for Scotland? It’s one of the greatest feelings in your life.’
McLeish takes encouragement from the fact seven of the eight nominees announced yesterday for PFA Scotland Player and Young Player of the Year are eligible for his squad.
‘Over the past four or five years, we have been much maligned in terms of the quality or lack of quality that the Scottish league has shown, but, genuinely, over the last couple of years there has been a resurgence of good young players,’ he argued.
‘After what I saw in the training camp, I feel that none of our players looked out of their depth.’
ALEX McLEISH was at Hampden to launch this year’s nominations for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. Nominations can be made at sfmhalloffame.co.uk. McLeish will be the recipient of a special tribute at the Hall of Fame Dinner on October 21. Tables can be secured by calling 0141 620 4040.