Inside big Andy Robertson decision as Scotland landmark brings Liverpool legend comeback quip

The Tottenham full-back is closing in on a significant career milestone that would see him match Dalglish on 102 caps for his country should he feature in Friday’s UEFA Nations League clash against North Macedonia at Hampden, underlining his importance to the team over the past decade.

Since making his senior international debut back in 2014, the 32-year-old has gone to captain his nation and help guide Scotland to successive European Championship tournaments.

His longevity and consistency at the highest level have made him a central figure in the national team, with former Scotland manager Alex McLeish among those who have witnessed first-hand the qualities that make Robertson such an important leader.

McLeish handed Robertson the armband in 2018 and believes his standing in the Premier League, alongside his personality and popularity within the dressing room, made his decision a straightforward one as he paid a glowing tribute to the defender.

“He's been an amazing servant for club and country,” McLeish declared just over a month on from presenting Robertson with a framed shirt to commemorate earning his 100th cap. “Andy's obviously on the verge of equalling Kenny's caps record so maybe Kenny will need to make a comeback! No, seriously Andy is still doing the country proud and it's great to see.

“When I made him captain it felt like natural progress. I just felt that his stature, as a player at Liverpool, playing at the level he was playing at, made him the ideal man. He has a real passion for the game and he's also super popular with the other players. They all respect him and look up to him.”

Moving level with Dalglish’s tally in the all-time charts would represent another major landmark in a career that has seen Robertson become one of the most successful Scottish footballers of his generation and cement his place among the country's greatest ever servants.

Ex Scotland boss waits to judge Pocognoli

Meanwhile, another former Scotland boss, Craig Levein, has urged patience when assessing the early stages of Sebastien Pocognoli's tenure, suggesting it remains too soon to make firm judgements about the new head coach.

With Scotland entering a new chapter following Steve Clarke's time in charge, Levein believes there will inevitably be a transition period under the Belgian as some of the more experienced heads approach the latter stages of their international careers.

“It's too early to tell, isn't it? At some point, some of these players who are getting on a little bit are going to be getting into the point where they would probably be coming off the bench and then maybe disappearing from the squads altogether,” Levein admitted.

“Steve did an unbelievable job in getting Scotland to these tournaments. I do think that he had probably the best squad of players that Scotland had for a long, long time. Those two things merged very well, and they did a fantastic job.

“I don't know much about the new guy at all. I haven't really needed to do any research like you guys have. So we'll just have to give the guy time and wait and see what happens.”

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