DO NOT QUESTION OUR COMMITMENT

Captain Robertson admits he has been forced to be ‘selfish’ for first time in career

FOR ALL BREAKING SPORTS NEWS VISIT dailymail.co.uk/ sport

Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser and Leeds United defender Liam Cooper. Celtic’s Lewis Morgan, Ryan Porteous of Hibernian and Derby County’s Graeme Shinnie have been called in.

Robertson, however, stresses that it would be wrong to question the motivation behind the call-offs and that players regularly try to push their bodies to feature.

In his own case, the 25-year-old has been told he needs a short period of rest to reduce the risk of injury affecting a potentially historic season — with Liverpool chasing English Premier League glory and Scotland entering the Euro 2020 play-offs in March.

‘It’s a big disappointment for me,’ said Robertson, speaking at the national squad’s Oriam base.

‘I don’t care what game it is. I want to play it and my track record in the last five years has shown that.

‘But for the last two-and-a-half weeks, I’ve not trained at all for Liverpool. I’ve trained the day before a game, missed a Champions League game (against Genk) other than the last 15 minutes and missed Arsenal in the League Cup. It’s a niggling injury which won’t go away unless I give it time.

‘If you know Liverpool and our schedule, we don’t have time. After suffering another knock against Man City on Sunday, it has got worse and I don’t want to pick up more injuries and ruin my season because of it.

‘The call has been made and it has been taken out of my hands.

‘It hurts as captain to miss out. I know a lot has been said about these two games being meaningless but we don’t believe that. We feel a page was turned against San Marino and we can start being more positive. I wanted to be part of that and drive us forward so we finish as high up the table as possible.

‘We have two vital games in March and these games are important for that, which is why I wanted to be involved.’

Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the club’s record £63million summer signing from Atletico Madrid, was the man who inadvertently ensured Robertson’s withdrawal.

‘My ankle was already injured but Rodri tackled me late on in the middle of the park and it opened my ankle up again,’ he added.

‘I was already a doubt but, unfortunately, that made it even worse and sealed it. I probably knew that just as it happened.

‘When I look back at my career so far, I’ve played games I probably shouldn’t have due to injuries and I’ve maybe been lucky not to make it worse.

‘I am paid to play football and love playing football, but if I keep playing, this ankle is going to get worse and I will be no use to anyone sitting on a treatment table.

‘I’ve had to be selfish for the first time in my career and let my body rest. I’ve had to listen to the people around me when previously I would have told them to beat it and the fact my ankle has swollen up again has made it easier to miss these games.

‘The possibility of staying for Kazakhstan was discussed with the club but it’s a no-go because they have given me a timescale and, as I’ve effectively picked up a fresh injury, the timescale doesn’t allow.

‘But I wanted to come up and see the lads and all the staff, and be around the place until they go.’

Call-offs have pockmarked Clarke’s tenure so far. Arsenal also requested that Kieran Tierney be left out of the current squad, while both Matt Ritchie and Robert Snodgrass have called time on their international careers.

Robertson appreciates that has created an unwelcome impression about commitment levels but denies there is anything untoward.

‘I understand our nation’s call-offs are scrutinised a lot more, because since the manager has come in there’s been quite a few call-offs in every squad,’ admitted Robertson.

‘But the lads unfortunately have to listen to their bodies and sometimes their clubs. Kenny McLean was here for four days at the last camp and was desperate to come to Russia but was told “no” because the physios weren’t confident he’d be fit.

‘It’s not from a lack of trying from the lads but, in terms of injuries, it’s never easy. When you do have a small injury, then sometimes you need to rest it. ‘These decisions are made but it doesn’t make it any easier. We all want to play for our country and I know that from in the squad, but I can see why the perception is maybe like that from the outside.’

Robertson hopes he and the other absentees will all be fully fit for the play-offs, but he has faith in Celtic’s Greg Taylor shining in the forthcoming double-header. The 22-year-old left-back made his full Scotland debut in the 3-0 defeat by Belgium in June.

‘Greg Taylor was unbelievable against Belgium away and is more than capable of filling in that left-back role, and it gives the manager a chance to look at him,’ added Robertson.

‘I wish all the lads all the best but more importantly Greg because he’s a really good young player who is up and coming. He hasn’t had as much game time as he would have wanted at Celtic, so I hope he gets game time and plays well.

‘I’ll probably sit on my own and watch the game on Saturday. I’ll make sure I find a quiet room in my house.’