I am not pinching myself any more... because I belong at elite level now

THE remarkable rise of Andy Robertson will continue tonight when the new Scotland skipper leads his country out at Hampden against World Cup semi-finalists Belgium.

Being handed the armband by national team boss Alex McLeish this week represents merely the latest chapter in the 24-year-old’s inspirational Cinderella story.

A true rags-to-riches tale after he was let go by Celtic in 2012, resilient Robertson joined amateurs Queen’s Park and worked the occasional evening dishing out programmes during international matches at Hampden.

The left-back soon switched to Dundee United, then Hull City, catching Liverpool’s eye along the way before a life-changing £8million move to Merseyside last summer.

Another glass ceiling was smashed as the Scot’s upward trajectory continued at Anfield, where he has proved a popular and pivotal part of the Jurgen Klopp side who reached the Champions League final against Real Madrid in May.

It has been a truly remarkable journey for Robertson since he ran out in front of less than 400 fans six years ago at Hampden as a Spiders player in the fourth tier of Scottish football. However, having established himself as a top-class professional at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, the days when Robertson blinked in disbelief at his phenomenal progress are long gone as he returns to the national stadium as captain of his country.

‘I couldn’t have pictured this back when I was at Queen’s Park,’ he smiled.

‘But I think the stage of pinching myself is behind me now.

‘When I moved to Hull City and I was playing against these great players in the English Premier League, maybe I pinched myself then.

‘But now I am at a very big club. I have been at Liverpool for a year now and I have settled into it. I am used to my surroundings and the demands of playing for Liverpool — and I am enjoying my football. So pinching myself is not the right thing to do.

‘Yes, I was working at Hampden handing out programmes at the last Belgium game in 2012 and a lot has happened since then.

‘I am glad to be where I am at now but I am one to look forward rather than back.’

Robertson’s big night captaining his country for the first time promises to be far removed from his one and only previous experience of leading out a senior side.

That occurred four years ago when he skippered a shadow Dundee United squad for a pre-season friendly against Forfar Athletic on the astroturf at modest Station Park.

‘I captained United for one game just before I left them — although maybe I was made captain to keep me at Tannadice,’ grinned the 24-year-old.

‘It was a pre-season friendly against Forfar and the manager played quite a young team because it was astroturf and a few of the older boys couldn’t play on it.

‘I managed to score and get an assist, so it was quite a good day for me!

‘Other than that, when Charlie Mulgrew went off against Costa Rica back in March, I captained Scotland for the last 15 minutes or so.

‘So I have had little experience (of being skipper) but I am still young enough that I can grow into the role.

‘And, given a bit of time, I feel that I can be a good captain.

‘I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve played under a lot of very good ones in my career.

‘Just now I’ve got Jordan Henderson at Liverpool, who is a fantastic captain. At club level I’ve also had guys like Michael Dawson and Sean Dillon, and Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown at international level.

‘I’m looking forward to captaining Scotland. It will be different to walk out at Hampden, where the journey began for me with Queen’s Park. To kind of go full circle will be nice.’

Robertson’s appointment on Monday saw him deluged with texts of goodwill, some from famous names. ‘My phone went mental,’ he laughed. ‘Gordon Strachan messaged me. He gave me my first cap for Scotland so

that meant a lot. My manager down the road (Klopp) texted me to say how proud he was that I had been chosen as captain.

‘I also spoke to Kenny Dalglish briefly and he told me he was there if I ever needed any advice.’

For Robertson, however, the best part of his promotion to captain was the reaction from those nearest and dearest to him who have supported him along the way.

‘I think the most important ones that I spoke to were my family,’ smiled Robertson.

‘To hear my mum and dad and my missus so proud was a great thing.

‘The first person I phoned was my missus. She’s been through it all with me and she was over the moon.

‘Then I told my parents who were obviously a bit emotional.’