Liverpool’s Andy Robertson is currently without a doubt the best left-back in the English Premier League right now but the player will not be playing for Scotland during the international break.
Scotland take on Cyprus and Kazakhstan in the EURO 2020 qualifiers but Andy Robertson will miss both these games because he has been nursing an ankle injury.
The full-back picked up the knock last weekend during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City and his absence will surely be a big blow for Steve Clarke’s plans especially since Scotland are currently fourth in their group.
Now though, Andy Robertson has come out to explain that he has been suffering from a niggling injury for some time now and if he had not chosen to rest during the international break then surely he could have made it even worse.
“It’s a big disappointment for me to miss out,” said Robertson[as reported].
“I don’t care what game it is, I want to play and my track record in the last five years has shown that. But for the last two and a half weeks, I’ve not trained at all for Liverpool. I’ve trained the day before a game, could only play the last 15 minutes against Genk in the Champions League and missed the Arsenal game in the League Cup. It’s a niggling injury which won’t go away unless I give it time. My ankle was already injured when a tackle from Rodri on me late in the game against Manchester City on Sunday opened it up again.
“I was already a doubt for Scotland but unfortunately that made it even worse. I don’t want to pick up more injuries and ruin my season because of it. The call has been made and it has been taken out of my hands. It hurts as captain to miss out. I know a lot has been said about these two games being meaningless but we don’t believe that.
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“We feel a page was turned against San Marino last time out [Scotland won 6-0 after a run of four successive defeats] and we can start being more positive. I wanted to be part of that and drive us forward in these two games so we finish as high up the table as possible.
“We have two vital playoff games in March and these games are important for that which is why I wanted to be involved. The manager knew I was a doubt due to the concerns of my club but I told him I would join up with the lads before the team flies out to Cyprus. I wish the lads all the best for the game but unfortunately, I’ll be watching from home.
“When I look back at my career so far, I’ve played games I probably shouldn’t have due to injuries and I’ve maybe been lucky not to make it worse. I am paid to play football and love playing football but if I keep playing, this ankle is going to get worse and I will be no use to anyone sitting on a treatment table.
“I’ve had to be selfish for the first time in my career and let my body rest. I’ve had to listen to the people around me when previously I would have told them to beat it. I understand our nation’s call-offs are scrutinised a lot more because, since the manager has come in, there’s been quite a few call-offs in every squad. But the lads, unfortunately, have to listen to their bodies and sometimes their clubs. It’s not from a lack of trying from the lads but in terms of injuries it’s never easy and when you do have a small injury then sometimes you need to rest it.
“These decisions are made but it doesn’t make it any easier for the players – we all want to play for our country. I know that’s the case from within the squad but I can see why the perception is maybe different from the outside.”
Andy Robertson has been a constant feature for Liverpool this season and this two-week break will surely go a long way in helping him recover but at the same time, his absence will be a big miss for Scotland.
