Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson spoke further about his late former team-mate Diogo Jota after leading Scotland to the World Cup
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was understandably emotional after leading Scotland to victory
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was understandably emotional after leading Scotland to victory
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Andy Robertson hopes his close friend Diogo Jota will be smiling down on him after the Scotland captain realised the dream they had discussed together. The former Liverpool team-mates spent part of the 2022 Qatar World Cup on a training camp in Dubai watching the action on television and plotting to be part of it themselves four years later.
Less than five months on from the Portuguese attacker's death in a road accident, Robertson revealed Jota dominated his thoughts in the build-up to Scotland's World Cup qualifying decider against Denmark.
The Liverpool left-back admitted he had some difficult moments alone in his hotel room in the build-up to Tuesday's Hampden clash.
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And, after initially speaking about Jota in an interview with BBC immediately after the match, the emotions continued to pour out of Robertson after Scotland clinched a 4-2 win in dramatic circumstances following two stoppage-time goals to seal a place in next year's finals in North America.
When asked if Jota had been on his mind during the 90 minutes, Robertson said: "Not so much in the game, I tried to park it. Certainly during the day, yes.
"I just go back to the Qatar World Cup when we were on a training camp in Dubai. Obviously Jots missed it through injury. I missed it due to missing out in the play-offs.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota and Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during a training session during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 training and press conference at AXA Melwood Training Centre on January 28, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson were very close friends at Liverpool(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"We always discussed how it would feel playing in a World Cup for your country. Obviously it's probably a bit more likely that it was going to happen for him in terms of Portugal than Scotland.
"As soon as I woke up I just couldn't get him out of my head. I couldn't get him out of my head all day. I think I hid it well from the lads probably, but being in the room, all I could think about was him.
"I know he'll be smiling down now. I know he'll have a smile on his face wherever he is.
"Hopefully he'll have a smile in the summer when I hopefully get to represent my country at the World Cup."
Scotland led twice through a stunning Scott McTominay overhead kick and a close-range finish from substitute Lawrence Shankland.
But twice they were pegged back by 10-man Denmark through strikes from Manchester United duo Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu, who equalised for the second time after Rasmus Kristensen was sent off for a second booking.
t stayed 2-2 until the 93rd minute when Kieran Tierney curled home a brilliant long-range effort and the Tartan Army party was really started five minutes later when another sub, Kenny McLean, incredibly found the net from his own half.