Andy Robertson will draw level with Sir Kenny Dalglish's long-standing record of 102 Scotland caps when he captains the national team at Hampden tonight. The 32-year-old Liverpool left-back, who moved to Tottenham this season, said he has no plans to stop and hopes younger players eventually surpass his tally.
A Childhood Dream Realised
Robertson grew up kicking a ball at St Joseph's Primary School in Glasgow's southside. Tonight, less than five miles away, he matches the appearance haul of Scotland's greatest player. His journey from part-time football to Champions League glory with Liverpool is well known, but equalling Dalglish's record exceeds even his childhood ambitions.
Despite completing the game by winning every major honour at Liverpool, Robertson remains driven. He said: "I've got no plans to stop. I've still got things to achieve in the Scotland jersey. I want to go to the home Euros. I want to try and get ourselves out of the group stages. I want to try and leave the squad in a good place where there's a lot of quality coming through with the young players and things."
Commitment to Country
Robertson sees no reason to end his international career as club demands grow. He insisted: "I'll always be available for my country as long as I feel I can do it, as long as I feel good enough to do it, as long as I feel physically and mentally I can do it.
"I've managed to do it for the last 13 years and I think it comes hand in hand with club football, I've never known any different. So yeah, as long as I keep feeling that then I'll always show up and obviously I need managers to pick me and things like that."
Looking Beyond the Record
With Dalglish's 40-year record about to be matched, Robertson wants it broken again soon. He said: "I would love somebody to go and beat it off me, but for me, I suppose the last couple of years in particular, it's probably what's helped drive me forward as well as other things.
"I would love one of the guys in the changing room now to go and break it. But I suppose let's focus on me trying to break it first! And then hopefully they can then come up behind me, just like I've done."
Close friend John McGinn is eight caps behind, with the Aston Villa captain approaching his own century. Robertson laughed: "I'm not bothered, honestly! John's been unbelievable for this country. I feel bad a bit in terms of the limelight that's been on me the last couple of games.
"He deserves it for what he's given up for the country, however more he gets is yet to be seen. For me, he's one of, if not my best mate in football. If he ended up taking over me, then I'd be first at the touchline to clap him off."
Honouring Dalglish
Robertson insists the occasion should celebrate Dalglish's legacy. He added: "Honestly I think the person that will be the front of my mind and the back of my mind will be Kenny Dalglish, I'll be honest.
"I think for me Friday is a day to recognise his achievements, to recognise what he's done for our country, to recognise how much he probably put Scotland on the map and he was one of the greatest players in the world at the time and he's certainly the greatest Scotland player ever."
Robertson hopes the focus remains on Dalglish, with Monday offering a chance to reflect on those who shaped his own journey if he is selected again.
