The Scotsman Bulletin Wednesday November 19 2024 #WorldCup2026
Emotional Andy Robertson pays tribute to boss and hails ‘incredible’ journey
The 4-2 win over Denmark that secured qualification for a first World Cup in 28 years was an era-defining night for Scotland, Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson.
An achievement that will be remembered for the drama, the quality of the goals scored, what it meant to the nation, and the emotion shown by the Scotland skipper afterwards.
The party was in full swing as Robertson turned his thoughts to Liverpool team-mate and close friend, Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain in July.
The BBC interview with the teary-eyed left-back on the Hampden trackside brought a real poignancy to what was one of the most remarkable nights the national stadium has ever witnessed.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson celebrates after the 4-2 win over Denmark that clinched World Cup qualification. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)placeholder image
Scotland captain Andy Robertson celebrates after the 4-2 win over Denmark that clinched World Cup qualification. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group
"I've just got a little bit of time now to put myself together, but at the full-time whistle, I don't think I could have said much," reflected the 31-year-old as he gathered his thoughts upon emerging from a jubilant dressing room.
"It’s the most emotional I've ever been after the game. I think it just shows everyone how much the country means to all of us.
"To top this group, I don't think most people in the country would have given us much chance, but we did believe that we could get it down to the last game. And to be able to produce a game like that is obviously madness, probably not good for the heart and things like that, for maybe our older fans, but what a way to go to the World Cup."
Robertson paid tribute to Clarke, who now has the distinction of being the only manager to lead Scotland to three major finals, as well as the country's longest-serving boss.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson embrace after the 4-2 win over Denmark that sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)placeholder image
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson embrace after the 4-2 win over Denmark that sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group
"His speech today was up there with the best speeches I've heard before the game," Robertson said. "If any lads were nervous, that certainly calmed us all down after it. What he spoke about, what he said, the belief he had in the players, it gave us the belief that we could then go out and perform.
"And I think the fast start was probably down to him, in terms of what he'd said. He doesn't get emotional too many times, but I think he was a little bit emotional before the game, certainly emotional after the game, all of us were.
"For me, he'll go down as the greatest manager of Scotland's history, there's no denying that.
"Two Euros, one World Cup, the most capped manager. He has done unbelievable since the day he came in and I can't give him enough credit.
"You know people say he's too loyal to players, or maybe sometimes his style of football is not to their liking and things like that. He gets things done and that's proven it and I can't thank him enough because it wouldn't have been possible without him."
The era of reaching back-to-back Euros and a World Cup after more than two decades without tournament football will also be synonymous with the rampaging Robertson and his luminous yellow armband. The team has come a long way under Clarke and his trusted captain.
"It's incredible and I think it's very important that we don't lose that fact," said Robertson, who hit the 90-cap mark against the Danes.
"When I first came into the squad, when John McGinn first came into the squad, when Kenny McLean came first into the squad, it was alien to us to qualify for tournaments.
"We obviously managed to do that through the Euros, which was a huge, huge deal.
"But to top the group in the World Cup, that is very difficult, especially the group we were in. You know, Greece, unbelievable team.
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"Denmark, an unbelievable team. Belarus, probably the toughest pot four team you could have got. And for us to top that group and to go to the USA that is unbelievable.
"And I just hope that the country don't forget that fact, what these players have done, what the manager's done, what the staff behind the scenes have done.
"It's been an unbelievable effort over these last three months and we've got the reward for it."