Key Highlights
- Andy Robertson says Scotland’s senior players have a responsibility to protect and support teenagers entering the national setup.
- Robertson believes football success depends on ability, mentality and an element of luck, reflecting on opportunities available to young players in Scotland.
- Scotland’s upcoming Friday match is a chance to respond after what Robertson called an “Unacceptable” performance against Slovenia.
Andy Robertson urges Scotland to support its next generation
Andy Robertson says he regularly reflects on football in Scotland and whether young players today are receiving the same opportunities that helped shape his career. The Liverpool and Scotland defender pointed to the paths taken by himself, John McGinn and Ryan Christie as examples of how ability can emerge when players are given the chance to progress.
“We talk about that – my story, John McGinn’s story, Ryan Christie’s story,” Robertson said.
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“There’ll be a hundred people going, ‘I could have been that’. Football has a lot to do with ability and mentality, but also you need a little bit of luck as well.”
Robertson said the current priority is protecting young players aged 15, 16 and 17 while helping them adjust to the demands of senior football. He welcomed the energy and enthusiasm of the younger members of the Scotland squad, singling out Findlay Curtis for his constant excitement.
“It’s about trying to protect the 15, 16, 17-year-olds just now and we all have a duty to help with that. We always want the young players to come in and I just love their energy, I love how excited they are. Findlay Curtis just bounces about all the time.”
He also described the teenagers in the squad as central to Scotland’s future, even as they continue to take part in games and activities unfamiliar to the established senior players.
“These are the kids that are going to bring the country forward. They’re all sitting at the other end of the table playing games we don’t even know about but it’s great for us to sit back and go, ‘OK, we’re part of this squad, but when we leave, then hopefully Scotland will be in a good place.”
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Scotland determined to respond against Slovenia
Attention now turns to Friday, when Robertson will feature in a record-equalling appearance. Despite that milestone, he does not view the match as a nostalgic occasion. Scotland want and need a victory, particularly after Robertson judged their previous outing against Slovenia to have fallen short across the pitch.
“Unacceptable,” he recalled.
“We didn’t give our fans anything to shout about.”
Robertson left the discussion by stressing the squad’s determination to make amends. The moment was briefly interrupted when he returned after leaving, explaining that he had forgotten his washbag and joking about whether Kenny had owned one.
“Forgot my washbag,” he laughed.
“Bet Kenny didn’t have one of these!”
Why This Matters
Robertson’s comments underline the importance of Scotland’s youth pathway to the national team’s long-term prospects. His own story, alongside those of John McGinn and Ryan Christie, illustrates the value of opportunity, while his remarks place responsibility on established internationals to help younger players develop. The immediate focus remains Friday’s match and Scotland’s bid to recover from the Slovenia performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Andy Robertson say about young Scotland players?
Andy Robertson said senior players have a duty to protect 15, 16 and 17-year-olds entering the Scotland setup and praised the energy they bring to the squad.
What did Robertson say about football success?
He said success depends on ability and mentality, but that players also need some luck to receive the right opportunities.
Why is Friday’s match important to Scotland?
Robertson said Scotland desperately want and need to win after an “Unacceptable” performance against Slovenia in which he felt the team gave supporters little to celebrate.
