Dalglish: I can stomach an Auld Enemy loss if Scots can qualify
Sir Kenny Dalglish admits he’d take a DEFEAT to England at the Euro finals – as long as Scotland join them in the knockout phase. The national side have never managed to get out of their group at a major tournament, even when Liverpool legend Dalglish was in his prime.
He can’t wait for the Auld Enemy clash at Wembley on June 18 but insists our games against Croatia and the Czech Republic are arguably even more important.
Dalglish reckons Steve Clarke’s side face a huge task to qualify from Group D.
But he could just about stomach losing to Gareth Southgate’s star- studded squad if we can pick up six points at Hampden to go through.
Scotland’s most-capped player has praised former Anfield coach Clarke for the job he has done in getting us to the Euros.
Sir Kenny believes the squad are getting stronger due to more players plying their trade in the English Premier League. Now he wants close friend Steven Gerrard to get more Scots in the Rangers team to give the Scotland manager even more options. As Dalglish looked ahead to the summer, he told MailSport: “Everyone will focus on the England game at Wembley because it’s a fixture that we love.
“The fans used to have the Wembley clubs, didn’t they? They used to save up for two years. “Then as soon as they were back from London, they’d start the fund or the kitty for the next trip down there. “It’s an iconic game for us. But we’ll probably beat them then lose the other two games! “Th a t ’ s typical Scotland. But I’d rather win the other two, lose to England and qualify. “It’s a tough section we’re in. Croatia beat England in the semi-finals of the World Cup a few years ago. And the Czechs are decent as well, we know that having played them recently. “Have we got a chance against England? We’ve always got a chance. You don’t go in hoping to lose.
“But you’d be disrespectful not to appreciate that you are up against quality opposition.
“We have to be ourselves and do as well as we can. Clarke has done a fantastic job. “The strength of our squad is getting better and deeper because of the level the lads are playing at in England.
“If Gerrard can get a few more Scottish boys in that Rangers team, we’ll be all right because they’ve done brilliantly.
“And although Celtic have been struggling, someone like Callum McGregor is a great example and has done exceptionally well. “We’ve got a lot more depth now, which can only help us. The boys down in England who play in the Premier League will be getting some stick from their team-mates – but that won’t do us any harm come the summer.”
The player Dalglish is closest to in the Scotland squad is skipper Andy Robertson.
He took the full-back under his wing when he joined Liverpool from Hull City four years ago and has been blown away by his progress at Anfield.
During the last international break Clarke had to defend his captain, who had come in for criticism from certain quarters regarding his recent displays in a dark blue shirt.
Robertson, who has started every Premier League game for Jurgen Klopp’s team this season, has been accused of not replicating his club form for Scotland.
Dalglish is having none of it. He believes we should be grateful to have Robertson in our ranks and says there’s no one better to wear the armband.
He’s just gutted that Robertson and Kieran Tierney, two of our best players, are at their best in the same position.
Dalgl ish, a McDonald’s ambassador, said: “Inside, Andy will be hurt at the criticism because playing for Scotland means an awful lot to him.
“When you come from where he’s been – he was an amateur footballer at Queen’s Park and has gone on to captain Scotland – only Andy can express how he feels about that transformation.
“Unfortunately, he’s the one fans seem to pick on and be critical of. But let me tell you, you’d much rather have Robertson in your team than not in your team.
“As a captain, he’s a fantastic leader as well. What he does off the pitch, away from football, is fantastic. As a person, you’d have him as your captain any day.
“And he’s got great mental strength as well. We’re just unfortunate with Scotland to have him and Tierney because they are very similar.
“Two of our best players are in the same position but we have to get on with it. Andy is good as gold.”
■ Sir Kenny is launching nominations for the 2021 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail. To nominate your grassroots hero, go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards
The boys who play down in England will be getting some stick – but that won’t do us any harm this summer