The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Robertson story perfect beacon for Scots revival
CAPTAIN: Former United defender named new skipper
Andy Robertson’s rise from teenage rejection to captain of his country is the perfect story to inspire a revival of the Scottish game, according to national team assistant coach Peter Grant.
The former Dundee United full-back, who is now a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, was confirmed as skipper yesterday to the approval of his team-mates and the wider football public.
The story of being knocked back at Celtic and all that followed is now the stuff of legend.
And Grant believes it can give hope of a brighter future. “It’s a fantastic story,” he said.
“The games we have been here, Andy has been magnificent around the group.
“It is great for young players. It is the sort of story that gives hope to young players these days.”
Grant continued:“There 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 to go from selling food at Hampden (while he was playing at Queen’s Park) to leading the team out there.
“We talk about grassroots and 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.
“The way he has led the group, the experience he has gained good and bad through that time sets him in good stead. And as I say he has already shown his leadership qualities round about the training ground.
“There are a lot of young players involved in the squad and I think they see what he achieved last year, which has been incredible.”
Grant added: “People knock the Scottish game. I don’t care what’s going on in England, it’s poorer for not having so many Scots. I can say that with hand on my heart.
“When I come up here it is great because I see young boys playing. Down the road they’ve got hordes of young boys being put out on loan – they have three teams, and they have a loan team now. It’s near impossible to break in at big clubs.
“For someone like Andy to come through and do well is remarkable. I remember people questioning the £7 million Hull were wanting for him. People say he is unaffordable now.
“Everything he has done has taken guts. For me the biggest thing it shows is there’s a hell of a lot of young players still out there – you have to give them a pathway. Andy Robertson is one you can hold up.”
Scotland coach James McFadden described Robertson as the “obvious” choice to become captain.
McLeish, who has drafted in Hearts attacker Steven Naismith for injured Swansea striker Oli McBurnie, had been searching for a replacement skipper for Scott Brown who stepped down in February.
Speaking at Scotland’s team hotel in Edinburgh, McFadden said: “He was the obvious choice.
“We have worked with him and the way he was about the camp in March for the first two friendlies was excellent, his desire to play for Scotland unquestionable and the fact is that he has done it the hard way.
“From where he has come from to get to here now is incredible.
“For young kids that are playing football, indeed in any walk of life, if you have a setback it is not the end. And he certainly is playing at a ridiculous level for his club and the games he has played for us he has been outstanding, he was the outstanding candidate and I am delighted for him. I think he deserves it.
“He is a humble guy, you would never know that he plays for Liverpool and he is forward with his opinions and that’s what you need. He is a leader.”
Naismith last played in a 1-0 win over Slovenia in March last year but earns a recall in the wake of his hattrick against St Mirren on Saturday.
Speaking before the 31-year-old’s call-up was confirmed, McFadden said: “Oli is absolutely devastated he is not here. He is a great lad, he has been brilliant for us and started this season with Swansea very well.
“Naisy was never discarded, we spoke to him last year. It is clear to see when he came back to Hearts he wasn’t at the level that he would have liked. He’s started the season really well but he won’t be picked for that hat-trick. We will be looking at what guys can add to the team.”