Andy Robertson's journey from part-time football to the world stage is often regarded as a fairy tale. The Glasgow-born defender climbed the ranks from Queen's Park to Liverpool, with pit stops at Dundee United and Hull City on his way to Anfield.
For nine years, Robertson has shone on the biggest stage in club football – lifting domestic and European silverware with the Reds. However, there is one notable achievement missing from the left-back's glittering CV: representing his country at a FIFA World Cup™. Robertson, who will join Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer on 1 July, will get that opportunity when he captains at the in North America.
Robertson led his country out at UEFA EURO 2024, and believes the World Cup represents the culmination of a career that has been characterised by determination and sacrifice.
"In moments like this, I think it's important to remember where you came from, the journey you've been on and how hard you've worked to get these moments," Robertson told FIFA. "I love my journey. I love the journey I've been on. A lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice. But for the rewards that I've got out of it, it's been worth every minute.
"Never did I think about captaining the country. As a little boy, the dream was obviously always to play for your country."
The Scot could have walked away from football as a teenager; at the age of 15, Robertson was released by boyhood club Celtic after being deemed too physically small to be a success.
"It's not plain sailing to become a professional footballer, he explained. "If I look in any changing room I've been in, there have always been bumps along the way in terms of all footballers. I think that's what makes you resilient.
"That was a massive moment for me in terms of obviously feeling that rejection for the first time and the sadness and everything else that comes along with it. But then also navigating my way through that and fighting back from it.
"That's what stood me in such good stead for my career ahead, because you have setbacks along the way, you always do, and it's all about how you deal with these setbacks."
When Robertson faces Haiti on 13 June, it will mark the return of Scotland to international football's biggest stage for the first time in 28 years. Qualification for the World Cup was secured after a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park last November.
Steve Clarke's side also take on Morocco in Group C, before a final game against five-time champions Brazil. The Scots last faced the Seleção in the opening match of the 1998 tournament at the Stade de France, where they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Robertson insists Scotland's current crop won't be haunted by results of the past when they go up against Carlo Ancelotti's team of stars in Miami.
"I think we're always the ones that want to create our own history," he continued. "We love the history of the Scottish national team. We love the people of the past. We have so much respect for them, But I think it's up to us to create our own story. I don't think the past results against Brazil or past games will have any bearing on this game.
"But we know how difficult it's going to be. Playing against Brazil is a dream for all players and it's not always possible when you're from a different continent, but the World Cup allows you to do that. We're always there to compete, and hopefully we can give them a difficult game."
Scotland will be hopeful they can create another slice of history when they take to the field in North America, with the country dreaming of advancing beyond the group stage of the tournament at the ninth time of asking. Robertson says belief is strong among the Scotland squad that this achievement could finally become a reality.
"We know, obviously, that no Scotland team has been out of the group stages," he said. "I think that's a realistic aim for us. We know we've got a difficult group. We know it's really good teams that we're up against. We also believe that we're a good team on our day.
"If we do that [reach the Round of 32], then we create another piece of history because qualifying for three out of the last four major tournaments is a part of history. All the games we've had, we can look back on. If we can get out of the group stage and be the first ever team to do that, then I think that's got to be our aim."
Sources: FIFA Official
