The national team captain has heard all the rumours down south over Arne Slot eyeing up new left-back options for next season
19:55, 19 Mar 2025
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson
A Liverpool legend in Jamie Carragher thinks he should be replaced at Anfield.
And it’s no secret that Reds boss Arne Slot is eyeing up new left-back options for next season.
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But Andy Robertson didn’t get to where he is in this game by accepting being second best. The Scotland skipper has heard all the rumours down south.
About how Liverpool are looking to find someone new in his position - with Hungarian ace Milos Kerkez and Fulham skipper Antonee Robinson just two they’ve scouted.
But Robertson is used to it now. You get the feeling he thrives on the challenge, revels in people doubting him.
But despite turning 31 just over a week ago, he’s ready to prove his worth all over again. Robertson admits to making a few uncharacteristic, individual errors this term.
That’s what prompted Sky TV pundit Carragher to urge his old club to dip into the transfer market for a new full-back.
But given his body of work so far - he’s won every major English honour at Anfield and is a Champions League winner - Robertson has every right to feel that he deserves more respect.
In Athens, he’ll go up against his Liverpool team-mate Kostas Tsimikas, who he’s managed to keep out of the team on Merseyside for almost five years now.
And after the disappointment of losing the Carabao Cup Final to Newcastle at Wembley last week, Robertson plans to shine on the international stage again.
When asked about his own form and the prospect of another rival left-back being signed by Slot in the summer, he was unequivocal in his response.
Robertson said: “I think we’ve been linked with pretty much every left-back in the world! But listen, that comes with playing for one of the greatest clubs in the world.
“I look back on the eight years I’ve had at Liverpool and think I’ve been the starting left-back at the club. I feel a lot of pride about that.
“Eventually, your time comes. But I don’t think it’s my time yet. Even if we do bring someone else in, so be it. I’ll always back myself.
“Sure, this season there have been a couple of moments when I haven’t covered myself in glory. But some of the things have been blown way out of proportion.
“I think my performance levels have been there. I’ve had a relatively good season and one thing people can say about me is that I’ve always been pretty consistent. But when you make a couple of mistakes, then people talk.
“That’s the world we live in, that’s the Premier League. Everyone has eyes on you, everyone has an opinion.
“But I’m always confident in my own ability. I’ve shown that, right throughout my career - but especially during my time at Liverpool.”
Andy Robertson was in high sprits in Scotland camp
Andy Robertson was in high sprits in Scotland camp
One thing’s for sure, Robertson’s importance to Scotland can’t be underestimated.
That was proven in our last game when the captain rose magnificently in the last minute of our Nations League clash with Poland to head home a sensational winner.
That goal - which Robertson isn’t renowned for - is what has given Steve Clarke’s side this play-off shot against Greece to stay in the top tier.
As he prepared for the first-leg in Athens, he allowed himself to reflect on a rare - but crucial - goal.
Robertson said: “In terms of the highs I’ve had in my career, that was right up there.
“I judge the levels of my moments in football by how much I smile when I look back on them! And that one makes me smile an awful lot.
“I haven’t scored a lot in my career, certainly not for Scotland. So the fact it was an important goal so late in our final game made it big.
“When I look back on the Poland game, we deserved to win. They scored a worldy to make it 1-1 but we got what we were due in the end.
“John Souttar put in a lovely ball, I popped up and managed to put it in the back of the net.
“It was pleasing for me. It capped off a really good camp with two wins - and hopefully we can come here now and capitalise on the opportunity it has given us.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Andy Robertson
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Andy Robertson
Meeting up with his Scotland team-mates has lifted Robertson after his Wembley heartache at club level.
But there’s a job to do and if Clarke’s boys want to continue mixing it with the Nations League big boys, they must see-off the in-form Greeks over two legs.
And after an impressive finish to our campaign against Portugal, Croatia and the Poles - the captain is convinced they can stay where he feels they now belong.
Robertson said: “It hasn’t been my best week in football but thankfully I’ve had plenty of good weeks this season.
“It wasn’t meant to be at Wembley but it’s always great to meet up with the Scotland lads and take a break from Liverpool. It has made it easier to get over the disappointment.
“We had so many positives in the Nations League campaign. We competed in every game. Our confidence grew with every game.
“When the Nations League started, I don’t think anyone knew how important it would be for us. But it has been, especially when we got to our first Euros.
“We started in League C but we always aimed for the top and now we’re there we want to stay there.
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“Greece got a great result at Wembley recently and they’ve also beaten Ireland. But if we show up in these games, we believe we can win.”