Andrew Robertson has faith in Gordon Strachan

Gordon Strachan handed former Dundee United defender Andrew Robertson his Scotland debut. Picture: John Devlin

Andy Robertson believes  Gordon Strachan will still lead the nation back to the big  time despite their Euro 2016 qualifying failure.

Strachan has remained coy over his future following his failure to end the nation’s 18-year wait for tournament action.

With his contract now up, the Hampden boss will hold talks with Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan before deciding his next move. But Hull City defender Robertson hopes he will shake off the disappointment of failing to book a slot at next summer’s European Championships in France and sign up for the task of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The left-back said: “He should stay, one million per cent he should stay. All the boys say that. He’s the man to take us forward. He’s the man to take us to a championship. I do think he will [stay on] but obviously he just needs time to think. You could hear the fans singing his name after Saturday’s match with Gibraltar.

“All the boys want him to stay and all the staff want him to stay, so it’s up to him to now make his decision and, hopefully, it’s the right one.”

Ex-Dundee United player Robertson was given his Scotland debut by Strachan in Poland in March last year.

His performanceshave already turned him into a Tartan Army favourite, but Strachan has shown a reservation to use the 21-year-old in matches where his side are expected to come under defensive pressure.

But Robertson has nothing but respect and gratitude for  Strachan. “This was my first campaign and I’ve gained a lot of experience,” he said. “Hopefully I’ve got many more to come, so long as the manager keeps  picking me.

“It was the manager who gave me my chance. He called me into the squad, gave me my first cap and then a few more after that. I can’t thank him enough for that.

He coaches everyone and tries to improve every player. There’s a club feel to the squad and as  a national team that’s what  you want.”