Scotland captain Andy Robertson relishes historic World Cup call-up
Scotland captain Andy Robertson has described his inclusion in Steve Clarke’s 26-man World Cup squad as a “huge pinch yourself moment” as the national team prepares for its first tournament appearance since 1998.
The 32-year-old defender and his team-mates flew to the United States on Sunday after being waved off by the Tartan Army at Glasgow Airport.
They will face Bolivia in a final warm-up match in New Jersey this Saturday before relocating to their North Carolina training base.
Leading the nation on the global stage
Scotland are scheduled to begin their group campaign against Haiti in Boston on 14 June, followed by challenging fixtures against Morocco and five-time champions Brazil.
“Me actually walking out on the pitch the first game? I’ve not allowed my brain to go there yet,” the left-back admitted.
“I just don’t like getting too far ahead. I think I’ll then live in that moment when I know it’s the night before and I know it’s the day of the game.”
“I was pretty confident I’d be in the squad, but for me it’s still a huge pinch yourself moment that you’ve been called up to a World Cup squad for Scotland.”
Ending a 28-year tournament absence
The national team skipper, who sits second on his country’s all-time appearance list behind Sir Kenny Dalglish, was just four years old the last time Scotland competed at a World Cup.
“I was just like ‘who would have thought we would all be going to the World Cup together when we’re all playing as little kids and chasing after each other as 11 and 12-year-olds?'” he added, reflecting on a message sent to his closest team-mates.
“It was a real sense of achievement because it’s not easy to get to a World Cup, and I think we’ve proven that with how long it’s took us to get there.”
“In a Scotland jersey, the lows are the lowest that you’ll have and the highs are the highest you’ll ever have with your country because you know you’re representing a nation.”
Andy Robertson