The noise surrounding Andy Robertson’s potential summer move to Celtic continues to build, and Stephen McGinn has defended the left-back’s situation at Liverpool.
With the Scotland captain’s contract ticking down to its final months, it seems likely that Liverpool won’t extend Robertson’s stay at Anfield, and it just intensifies those Celtic links.
But with Celtic linked with Robertson, Stephen McGinn wanted to shut down the suggestion that the all-action fullback is in decline on Merseyside.
“There is nothing (Milo) Kerkez can do that Andy Robertson can’t do,” said McGinn.
“There are maybe the bits; he’s getting a bit older. A half yard of pace. But it will only be a half yard of pace if it’s any because he is still the same quality.”
Last summer, Liverpool paid big bucks to bring rising star Milo Kerkez to the club, but he hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations.
Despite that, Kerkez has continued to play ahead of Robertson, and McGinn wanted to defend his fellow countryman’s situation under Arne Slot, and how his quality levels are still at a very high level.
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Stephen McGinn plays down suggested decline of Celtic target Andy Robertson at Liverpool
Robertson has remained coy on his future, but it seems pretty obvious that he will be heading for the exit door this summer.
That just increases Celtic’s chances of signing Robertson, and McGinn told Go Radio that, at best, the boyhood Hoops fan has only lost ‘half a yard of pace.’
“There are a lot of Liverpool fans split over whether to get rid of the manager or not,” said McGinn.
“You wouldn’t be shocked if a new manager were to come in, then maybe they would want to keep Andy Robertson about.
“Everyone is watching the same stuff. We are biased up here with Andy. There is nothing Kerkez can do that Andy Robertson can’t do. There are maybe the bits; he’s getting a bit older. A half yard of pace. But it will only be a half yard of pace if it’s any because he is still the same quality.
“It sounds like he is going to move on if the manager is going to be in place.”
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool
Photo by Stuart Franklin – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Robertson’s starts under Arne Slot suggests an exit is looming
Before Kieran Tierney could return to Celtic last summer, he was available to play from November of that season, but Mikel Arteta only sporadically used him.
That’s why Tierney, added with his injury issues of the past, needed time to settle back in at Celtic, including getting subbed off on a regular basis during the first half of the campaign.
You sense that Robertson, if he were to re-join Celtic, wouldn’t be in that boat, and he would be ready to fire ahead despite Slot using him less than he did during their title win last season.
Games this season: 30
Starts: 15
Total minutes: 1,584
Games last season: 45
Starts: 38
Total minutes: 3,320
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