Andy Robertson spent eight years playing alongside Brazilian keeper Alisson Becker
06:00, 24 Jun 2026
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(Image: Getty Images)
He says he can count on one hand the number of goals he’s scored against him in TRAINING.
So no-one knows better than Andy Robertson how tough it is to get past Brazilian keeper Alisson Becker.
The Scotland skipper has spent eight years with the goalie at Anfield and rates him as the best number one in the world right now.
That’s not good news for Steve Clarke’s side who, so far, have struggled to get a shot on target at this World Cup against Haiti and Morocco.
When it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net, it’s not about to get any easier when they take on Brazil in Miami.
If Alisson has a weakness, Robertson might be able to pass on some tips to the Scottish strikers. But by the sound of it, those will be few and far between.
To guarantee qualification to the last-32 in America, Clarke’s boys could do with finding a goal or two against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Robertson is praying his Liverpool pal doesn’t get another clean sheet against the Scots.
In fact, he wants Alisson to have one of his worst nights at the Hard Rock Stadium.
But given that Alisson has only conceded 36 goals in 80 games, that might be more in hope than expectation.
As he geared up to face his ex-team-mate, the Scotland captain said: “He’s the best keeper in the world. I’ve been very lucky to play with Ali for the last eight years.
“In big moments, Ali was always there for us. Even when our defence was at its best, sometimes teams would get through.
“But we could always rely on Ali to go and make the saves.
“He’s an unbelievable goalkeeper and even better person. He’s someone I admire so much, him and his family.
“I’m lucky to be close to them because they’re fantastic people.
“But I really hope he’s picking the ball out of his net a couple of times on Wednesday - more than I’m used to!
“But he’s the best in the world and has been now for so many years.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and as a man.
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Scotland's Andy Robertson (centre right) and John McGinn at the Atrium Health Training Ground in Charlotte, North Carolina. Picture date: Monday June 8, 2026.
“But let’s hope against us he doesn’t keep a clean sheet.
“I’d like to think the squad respects me, but I’m not sure how much they respect my shooting.
“I don’t think they’ll take any advice off me on how to beat Alisson.
“I’ve trained with him for eight years and I can count on one hand how many I’ve scored against him in training.
“I’ve certainly not cracked it yet! But when our strikers come to shoot, hopefully they can get the better of him.
“When a chance comes, hopefully we can take it.
“We’re coming up against the best keeper in the world. But we have to believe we can score against Brazil.
“If we don’t, there’s no point showing up. That’s our aim. If we can do that hopefully it can be a big night for our country.
“But we know how difficult the task is and the team we’re playing against.
“They have world-class individual quality in every position.”
As a full-back, Robertson will have to face some of Brazil’s most dangerous wide players in Miami.
The talk in Ancelotti’s camp of an emotional return for 34-year-old Neymar has got the Brazilian fans going crazy at the prospect.
But if it’s not him on the flank, it could be Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr or Endrick, Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli or Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.
Robertson has played against them all in the Premier League or Champions League so won’t be fazed by the challenge.
He says Scotland will be ready for whichever superstar Ancelotti throws at them.
Robertson said: “It’s not about wanting to face Neymar or Vinicius Jr, Endrick, or Martinelli. I could go on and name every player in the Brazil squad because they have so much quality.
“Even when you look at the players they’ve left at home.
“It’s up to Ancelotti who plays. We just need to prepare the best we can but they have quality in every position - as well as the players coming on.
“That’s what we’re up against, one of the best teams in the world.
“We have to be as ready as we can be. We must come up with a game plan and put it in place to the best of our ability.
“If Neymar starts the game or comes on, he has so much quality.
“I’ve played against him before and he’s unbelievable. But the other players they have in that position, I’ve also played against, and it’s not easy either.
“They’re blessed with so much talent but we have to try and do the best for Scotland.”
Robertson has been raving about the Tartan Army’s exploits during this tournament, especially how they made Boston a second home for the games against Haiti and Morocco.
Apparently, the Scotland fans drank the city dry of their famous Sam Adams lager.
A Brazilian journalist was keen to know the Scotland skipper’s view on whether the supporters might do the same in Miami.
Robertson said: “These are the questions I like!
“I’ve always said our fans are the best in the world. Everywhere they go, people fall in love with them.
“The people of Boston are gutted the Tartan Army has left.
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“Now, they’ve come down to Miami and are trying to make the same impact.
“Come Wednesday night, if we manage to beat Brazil - I’m sure a couple of beers will be drank, that’s for sure.
“We’re hoping for that because we want to give them something to be happy about. It would be something to celebrate.”