Robba’s shift is always hectic but he relishes time in the spotlight
JAMIE ROBBA knows he is likely to be the busiest man at Hampden this evening, but the Gibraltar goalkeeper reckons a good performance could be his ticket to a professional career out of his homeland.
The 23-year-old started the Euro 2016 campaign on the bench, but his introduction to the team has helped UEFA’s tiniest member tighten up significantly.
Introduced as a secondhalf substitute against Ireland in Dublin after Jordan Perez had conceded seven for the second consecutive match, Robba retained his place for the subsequent qualifiers against Germany and Georgia. The respective 4-0 and 3-0 scorelines have given Group D’s bottom seeds encouragement as they prepare to face Scotland for the first time.
Robba, who combines goalkeeping for Gibraltar Premier Division side College Europa with shifts managing his father’s sports bar, dreams of a shot at one of Europe’s top leagues.
‘We’re the newest, smallest nation in UEFA so for the next five years we’re always going to be the underdog,’ he said. ‘I’m always going to be the lad who is worked the most in the whole team but it’s good. I’m looking forward to it. It gives me a chance to shine.
‘In a situation like this you’d rather be busy and say you made five, six saves. Maybe in a normal situation I’d say “no” and rather have a clean sheet. ‘But here, with the spotlight, everybody’s looking, so you want to shine.
‘I’m in a privileged position. There are players who have played in the Premier League all their lives and never played international football. I hope I can keep growing with the GFA and maybe move out of Gib one day.
‘It is every player’s dream to go and play abroad in the best leagues. England, Spain, maybe France. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that dream. I’m 23 now, not the youngest, but I have some time ahead of me.’
Robba snared a pair of Manuel Neuer’s gloves after the defeat to the world champions in Nuremberg and admits he would be pleased to garner a souvenir from any of the three Scotland goalkeepers available to manager Gordon Strachan.
Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor each played a half in the midweek win over Northern Ireland, suggesting that David Marshall will retain his status as first-choice.
‘I remember watching Craig Gordon when he was at Sunderland but then he had a bad injury that kept him out for a few years,’ said Robba. ‘McGregor and Marshall are very good keepers, too, but the reason I like McGregor is that, like me, he’s not too tall. He would be my favourite pick from the three.’
Robba acknowledges that, even as one of the younger members of the squad, he may not manage to feel the full professional benefit of Gibraltar’s new status.
He added: ‘It’s a dream come true for us to be involved at this level. But this isn’t so much for us but the 16, 17-year-olds to educate themselves, become a professional and hopefully get the jump up.’