Andy Robertson was spotted in the crowd as Celtic lost 4-1 to Stuttgart in the Europa League playoffs on Thursday, amid links with a move to his boyhood club.
Robertson was born in Glasgow and came through the academy ranks at Celtic before breaking through in Scottish football with Queen’s Park.
He remains an avid supporter, and with Liverpool given more time off ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday he made a visit to Celtic Park on Thursday night.
Joined by close friend and Liverpool’s head of rehab physiotherapy Lee Nobes, the left-back watched a humiliating defeat in Martin O’Neill’s 1,000th game as a manager.
At home in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 playoff against Stuttgart, Celtic went a goal down within 15 minutes and, after briefly bringing it back to 1-1, went on to lose 4-1.
As part of TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart reflected: “[Robertson] sold it to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when he told him about coming to Celtic, the atmosphere.
“The big European night. He just hasn’t seen it tonight, has he?”
Oxlade-Chamberlain was ineligible for the tie having joined Celtic on a free transfer too late to be registered for the Europa League knockout stages.
Celtic's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (centre) celebrates with his team mates after he scored his sides second goal during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Wednesday February 11, 2026.
He also watched on from the stands as Bilal El Khannouss’ brace and goals from Jamie Leweling and Tiago Tomas earned Stuttgart a commanding lead ahead of the return leg next week.
While Robertson attracted interest from Tottenham in the January transfer window, there is speculation he could join Celtic when his Liverpool contract expires in the summer.
The Glasgow club would certainly be interested and his recommendation to Oxlade-Chamberlain clearly shows that he views Celtic as a viable destination.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qaraba? FK. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But it remains to be seen if he will opt to return to Scotland at this stage of his career – and an extended stay at Anfield is still not ruled out at this stage with Robertson still only 31.
However, speaking in 2020, he admitted he would “love to pull on a Celtic top and play” if he was unable to fulfil his dream of retiring at Liverpool.
What Andy Robertson has said about joining Celtic
Andy Robertson celebrates after leading Scotland to the World Cup (Jane Barlow/PA)
“I think it’s going to be quite hard, but I would love to be able to finish my career here,” he said, while still firmly established as first-choice left-back.
“If I could keep my standards as high as that up to a James Milner type of age, then I would be quite happy with that and call that a day then.
“But I think I’ve always said I’d love to pull on a Celtic top and to play. I’ve obviously played for Dundee United, which I loved.
“But you never say never, you’re a long-time retired as they say.
“I want to play as long as I can, and if that’s finishing up in Scotland, or at one point going up to Scotland, then I would be open to it.
“But my ideal situation is probably finishing down – with hopefully a couple more trophies – at Liverpool.”
The Big Debate
Should Liverpool offer Andy Robertson a new contract?
With just months remaining on his current deal, Andy Robertson finds himself at a career crossroads after nine trophy-laden years at Anfield. While Robertson has confirmed that contract talks are underway, he admits his future is uncertain as he weighs up his need for regular first-team football against his status as the club’s vice-captain.
Have your say: Should the Reds keep the 31-year-old as an experienced deputy for Kerkez, or is it time for a clean break this summer? Let us know in the comments!