There’s no sugar-coating from Robbo
Andy Robertson refuses to give up on Scotland qualifying for Euro 2020 by making it through the group stage.
But the skipper is realistic enough to admit that getting there via a play-off is the most-likely scenario.
The Scots will face two games – a semi-final and a final – next March after topping their Nations League group under Alex McLeish
With the prize being an end to a 22-year exile from major tournaments, those games will be the biggest in living memory for many supporters.
Robertson said: “Let’s be honest, we are six points behind second place and we are playing Belgium next.
“I also fancy Russia to beat Kazakhstan. So we know what the more likely route is.
“If the campaign ends in disappointment in November – which probably a lot of people will expect – then we have to pick ourselves up for March.
“Those are the two biggest games we’ll have had in a long, long time because they will be the ones stopping us or making us go to the Euros.
“We will cross that bridge when it comes, but we still need to focus on this campaign and try get a result tomorrow against Belgium.
“If we don’t, then we need to build our confidence and get strong results. So we are going into March confident, and fancy ourselves to get through.”
Robertson was visibly angry after taking part in Scotland’s 2-1 defeat by Russia on Friday night.
The Liverpool man says they can take a leaf out of Russia’s book as they move forward under Steve Clarke.
He went on: “We need to start striking up partnerships. I didn’t think Russia played the best, but they looked as if they had their partnerships and knew exactly what they were doing.
“And we need to get that quite quickly because, for instance, myself and Ryan Fraser need to know what each other is doing, and it’s the same on the other side.
“If we can do that, then we use each other’s strengths a lot more. That will come with time.
“Against Belgium, we need to get something from the game. Unfortunately, we are playing the best team in the world.
“If we get beaten, then it’s verging on impossible to get through this group.”