Scotland v Denmark World Cup preview
Robertson hopes milestone match can be best cap of his career at Hampden
It’s all about the 90s for Andy Robertson. Ninety minutes to lead Scotland to the World Cup on his 90th cap for his country, to qualify for the biggest tournament in the world since 1998.
One of Scotland’s most decorated footballers, Robertson spoke like the captain he is as he tried to sum up his feelings ahead of a winner-takes-all Group C showdown with Denmark at Hampden. “It’s about embracing the opportunity we’ve been given,” was the message.
The equation is straightforward against the Danes, who lead the group by a point. Only a win will do against a side Scotland drew 0-0 with in Copenhagen two months ago, otherwise it’s on to the play-offs in March next year. At least there is an insurance policy in place.
Andy Robertson and Scotland train ahead of Tuesday's must-win clash with Denmark at Hampden.placeholder image
Andy Robertson and Scotland train ahead of Tuesday's must-win clash with Denmark at Hampden. | SNS Group
Belarus are to thank for Scotland still having a shot at automatic progression. Their surprise 2-2 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen as Scotland were losing 3-2 to Greece on Saturday night saved Scottish bacon. "I think pub and bar owners will be delighted that Belarus got the draw!” smiled Robertson, who was able to throw in some moments of levity ahead of a serious assignment.
“I’m not sure it’s nerves, it’s excitement,” said Robertson of how he feels ahead of the game. “Playing for Scotland is always a level up. When I was younger, I didn’t have dreams of playing for Liverpool because I didn’t know where my career would go. But I did have dreams of playing for Scotland.
“When we sit in the hotel the night before, it won’t be nerves, it’ll be excitement. It will then kick into work mode. The whole country will be on edge and going through the motions. I’ve no doubt about that. But it’s up to us to deliver. We have to switch to work mode in our careers. And we wouldn’t be here today if we couldn’t do that.
“I don’t like thinking about it (captaining Scotland at a World Cup). I hope I can talk about it on Tuesday night. I’ve been lucky enough to play in Champions League finals and win trophies. But what I’ve been good at is not talking about it before it happens.
‘An honest group of boys’
“I’m excited for the game and looking forward to a one-game shoot-out for the World Cup. Hopefully if it happens, I’ll tell you how I feel about it. We’re an honest group of boys, a fantastic squad to be part of. It’s a privilege for me to be their captain. I’ve got it pretty easy, there’s never any egos or problems.
“One of the proudest things in my life is being captain for these lads. We’ve done a lot in this campaign so far in securing the play-off which a lot of people would have accepted. Now we have a chance to not need games in March. We’ll all be ready for it and hopefully if we perform to our best, it can be a special night at Hampden.”
Robertson will join illustrious company against Denmark. He will join Jim Leighton and Kenny Dalglish as the three only players to have reached 90 appearances. Barring extraordinary misfortune with injury, Robertson is on course to become Scotland’s most capped man.
“Obviously the fact that it will be my 90th cap is a huge honour for me and my family,” continued Robertson. “It's massive that it's going to be my 90th time playing for this country. I couldn't even imagine that when I was younger or even when I made my debut and this journey began. That's a huge honour for me and it's nice that it goes along with a pretty big game. I'm looking forward to it and I hope my 90th cap will be the most memorable.”
Andy Robertson applauds the Scotland fans after the 3-2 defeat by Greece last weekend.placeholder image
Andy Robertson applauds the Scotland fans after the 3-2 defeat by Greece last weekend. | Getty Images
Robertson and his teammates have been inundated with good luck messages from the public. “We've been very fortunate in going to Euros and feeling the whole the country, because that's not always been the case, rightly or wrongly,” admitted Robertson. “But in terms of going to the Euros and massive games we've played in, we've always felt the love from the country, we've always felt people behind us.
“We only landed back last night but even walking through the airport, and seeing people out today, people are wishing us well and good luck. They hope we can do it and it's a massive thing for all of us to feel the love from the country, knowing that they are right behind us. We'll definitely feel that tomorrow and it's up to us to hopefully deliver that for all of them.”
Robertson will also be fuelled on by envy. He has watched enough of his Liverpool teammates over the years saunter off to the World Cup while he has been forced to endure club duties. "Yeah, the last one probably being the toughest,” he admitted. “With them being in Qatar, we were in a mid-season break in Dubai, so we were pretty close to them, watching all the games. I was looking around and there weren't many of us in the room! Most were at the World Cup.
Read More
“You obviously want your country to be a part of that. That's what drove us forward for the Euros. We'd watched the Euros that Scotland weren't at and it was up to us to change that. Thankfully we've done that twice. The World Cup is one that's still not happened since 1998 and now our turn to stop that long wait. We have the opportunity and if that doesn't work out then at least we have that opportunity in March. So at least we have two bites at it, which is a pleasing thing.
“But it would be great in the summer to have Scotland and the Tartan Army going over to America. That's what they'll all be excited about, but we just need to focus on the game. Hopefully after that we can maybe start planning things.”