CAPTAIN MARVEL
Robertson still fighting tooth and nail to make Kazakhstan opener
SCOTLAND will find out today if captain Andy Robertson can exchange a dentist’s chair for a flight to Kazakhstan in time for Thursday’s Euro 2020 qualifier.
The left-back travelled to Glasgow after Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Sunday but was unable to board the charter flight to Astana after seeking hospital treatment for an abscess in his mouth.
Robertson was last night undergoing checks after an
operation yesterday morning. And if he receives the green light today, Scotland’s Captain Courageous will make an ambitious attempt to make the 3pm kick-off on Thursday. If he does not make the match against Kazakhstan, the 25-year-old is at least determined to play against San Marino on Sunday. ‘If it was anybody but Andy Robertson, you would say there’s no chance,’ said Scotland assistant coach Peter Grant, with Robertson having suggested himself that he could fly independently on a commercial flight prior to his operation. ‘But knowing the way Andy is, if he thinks he’s got a chance there is always a possibility. We won’t rule him out. ‘Before the game on Sunday, we knew he was struggling a little bit — but he wanted to play (for Scotland). ‘That’s the way Andy Robertson is, that’s why the manager selected him to be his captain. He is determined to play for his country.’ Had the decision been left to the player himself, Grant believes Robertson would have made the trip. ‘The swelling and the pressure in the air was going to be a problem for him,’ added the former Celtic midfielder. ‘He went straight from the plane to the hospital and he was hoping he was still going to fly, that’s why we held the plane up a bit. Obviously, they wanted him to get an operation done. ‘I would hope he would join up for here. He’s going to see about his tooth problem today (Monday) and we will take it from there.’ Boss Alex McLeish called up Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay and Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly after late call-offs from Charlie Mulgrew, Barry Bannan and goalkeeper Jordan Archer. Cardiff’s Callum Paterson and Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser have been excused duty for Kazakhstan at the request of their clubs following concerns over the artificial surface, while Kieran Tierney and Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna will be assessed after training on the controversial surface today. Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes raised concerns over the centreback playing on a plastic pitch after he battled through a thigh problem last Saturday. ‘He is in great hands here and he is very comfortable,’ said Grant. ‘These guys are really up for playing. But we have got to make sure he is helping Aberdeen as well as Scotland. We don’t want to put him in there and it ends up seeing him out for a period of time. ‘You have to trust their judgment and the judgment of the great physios and doctors we have here. Ultimately, the decision will come down to Scott but, going by his mindset, he is going to be available.’ The Scots arrived to Arctic temperatures of minus 9 degrees in Kazakhstan. Acknowledging the problems the conditions create for playing on grass, Scots coach James McFadden admitted the artificial surface of the 30,000-seat Astana Arena is less than ideal, but can’t be used as an excuse if they lose. ‘Any player would tell you they would rather play on grass,’ he said. ‘Understandably, they don’t have grass here because it is minus ten or whatever it is. ‘If you are going to play a game at this time of year, it would be hard to have it on a grass pitch. But we would rather not play on it. I am not a fan. ‘The Scottish-based players play on it. They play on it quite a lot. ‘They train on it in wintertime if they can’t get on grass. The ones who play in England will be less used to it because they don’t play on it. ‘Even at the training grounds they will train on grass all year round. Their pitches at their stadiums are immaculate. ‘But they are Scottish, so some of them will have been brought up on the red ash or Astroturf anyway. We aren’t using it as an excuse. We have to deal with it. Players have played on it. They won’t get an advantage because we have played on it. They will be the same as us. ‘I am led to believe it is going to be ten degrees with the roof closed, so we know what we are in for. ‘Taps off! We will be sweating.’