Scotland captain Andy Robertson is being urged by manager Steve Clarke to have the “best night of his life” as the national side stands on the precipice of World Cup history, needing a result against Brazil on Wednesday to secure a place in the knockout stages for the first time ever.
Having accumulated three points from their initial Group C fixtures against Haiti and Morocco, a draw against the five-time champions would all but guarantee Scotland’s progression in the tournament.
Speaking from Miami Stadium, Clarke lauded his 32-year-old skipper, who boasts 96 caps for his country.
“He’s been a fantastic captain for Scotland. He’s closing in on the record number of caps. He deserves to be here. He’s worked ever so hard for the country,” Clarke stated.
“He leads this group of players like the leader he is and he’s very, very important to me and the squad. So obviously I want the best for him. I want him to have the best night of his life tomorrow night.”
Robertson himself expressed the team’s readiness for the monumental challenge.
“It’s one that we look forward to. We are playing against a massive country, the most iconic in World Cups, obviously most decorated,” he said.
“But it also gives us an opportunity to achieve our dreams as well. We want to achieve history for our little country. We have an opportunity to do that tomorrow night.”
The left-back anticipates facing the “best keeper in the world” in former Liverpool teammate Alisson Becker, though he playfully hopes the Brazilian will endure a rare off-night. Robertson, who played alongside Alisson for eight years at Anfield, reflected on their time together.
“I was very lucky to play with Ali for the last eight years and in big moments Ali was always there for us,” he recalled.
“Even when our defence was at its best sometimes teams would get through and we would always rely on Ali to go and make the saves. Unbelievable goalkeeper, an even better person. Someone that I admire so much, he and his family, I’m really lucky to be close to them and they’re fantastic people.”
Despite his admiration, Robertson concluded with a competitive edge: “I hope he’s picking the ball out of the net maybe a couple of times tomorrow, more usual than I’m used to, but he’s the best keeper in the world for me and he has been for so many years.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. But like I said, hopefully tomorrow he doesn’t keep a clean sheet.”
