Andy Robertson insists his matching of Kenny Dalglish’s Scotland cap record by no means brings reputational parity. Four decades after Dalglish, widely regarded as the country’s finest player, ended his international run at 102 games Robertson will hit the same figure with the visit of North Macedonia to Hampden Park on Friday.
The Tottenham full-back is understandably delighted by his own tally – and should surpass Dalglish in Switzerland on Monday – but paid glowing tribute to the man he got to know well during nine years at Liverpool.
“For how long the record stood, for starters, for what he achieved in his career, for the person he is,” Robertson said. “Tomorrow is another reason for our country to honour one of the greatest players that has played a game. He’s definitely the greatest from Scotland . I think it’s another reason for everyone to speak about him and realise his achievements in his footballing career. And also the person that he has been throughout his whole life.
“Obviously, in terms of number, I will stand side by side with him but I don’t want people to forget how important this man has been to our country.”
The Liverpool connection between Robertson and Dalglish adds an endearing, personal element. “He reminds me all the time that getting into the 100 caps back then was a lot harder than it is now,” said Robertson with a smile. “I never set myself personal goals. For me it’s always about the team and how I best deal with the team and things like that.
“When I overtook Darren Fletcher, when I was in the 80s, it felt like it took ages for me to get to Jim Leighton [at 91]. Then I thought: ‘I’ve only got one more to go.’ That’s when I started thinking about it a little bit more, starting to believe that it might happen a little bit more, starting to wind-up Kenny up a bit more that it was going to happen. Sat here today, if it happens, it’s something I couldn’t be more proud of.’’
