Historic Liverpool thrashing by Aston Villa out of mind as Andy Robertson focuses on Scotland dream

Andy Robertson has assured Scotland fans that he has put Liverpool’s recent thrashing by Aston Villa out of his mind as he seeks to lead the national side to a play-off final.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson

The Scotland skipper knows the loss of Stuart Armstrong after a positive Covid-19 test has not made the task of overcoming Israel any easier. Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie are also unavailable for tonight’s Euro 2020 semi-final play-off clash at Hampden after being in close contact with Armstrong over the course of this week.

Robertson was reeling from Liverpool’s shock 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday prior to meeting up with the Scotland squad. International teammate John McGinn grabbed one of the Villa goals in what was the Anfield side’s heaviest defeat for 57 years.

Robertson admitted the scale of the reversal will always haunt him but the change of focus with Scotland is a perfect antidote.

“Obviously, with the magnitude of that result, it is probably something you never park and are always gutted about,” said Robertson. “But as soon as a I walked in here on Monday and pulled on my Scotland trackie, I was a Scotland player.

“You leave Liverpool behind and your club behind. That’s what all internationals have to do. We have all done that. Hopefully some of the lads who had big performances like McGinn can use it for confidence. My confidence is still high and, as I say, as soon as you pull on Scotland kit you forget about club level.

“We are not lads from Aston Villa, Liverpool, Celtic or Rangers, we are Scotland players. That’s the main thing and we’ll use that to our advantage.”

Robertson has sought to rally the players following the shock news about Robertson, Tierney and Christie. The desire to ensure the missing trio can play in next month’s final against either Norway or Serbia is even more incentive – not that Scotland need it. Scott McKenna, Liam Palmer and Oli Burke will also be missing this evening due to injury.

“These big games speak for themselves,” said Robertson. “There is a never an issue getting any of the lads up for it. We know what’s at stake.

“The lads will be motivated and I hope we are even more motivated after the news today, in terms of trying to pull through for the three lads who sadly can’t be with us.

“That’s something we have to focus on. Since we have met up, you can sense a big game is on the horizon and that’s always a good sign.”

The new restrictions imposed by the Scottish government across the central belt yesterday have placed an extra onus on the players.

“We are fighting for something that, as big as it was, is probably bigger now,” acknowledged Robertson.

“If we can play a small part in trying to lift the nation and trying to help get us through this hard time then that is extra motivation for us. The motivation is already high, but we should use anything to get that wee bit higher.”

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