Image Credits: Imago Images
Scotland wrapped up their pre-World Cup international break on a bittersweet note on Tuesday evening, as Steve Clarke’s side fell to a second consecutive friendly defeat – this time going down 1-0 to Ivory Coast at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Nicolas Pépé’s first-half strike proved enough to settle the contest, with a much-changed Scotland side failing to muster a response across 90 minutes. It was a second successive game without a goal for Clarke’s men during the March window, capping off a frustrating week of results just months before the World Cup kicks off this summer.
Yet for all the gloom on the scoreboard, the night carried a moment of personal history for Scotland’s captain.
Andy Robertson earned his 92nd cap on Tuesday, surpassing legendary goalkeeper Jim Leighton to become Scotland’s second most capped male player of all time. The Liverpool left-back had equalled Leighton’s record of 91 appearances in Saturday’s friendly against Japan at Hampden, and needed just three days to go one better and claim sole ownership of second place on the all-time list.
Taking to Instagram, Robertson revealed that the achievement was “unthinkable” for him:
“To play for my country once was a dream come true, to be the second most capped was unthinkable. To take over a legend in Jim Leighton is a huge honour and one I don’t take for granted!”
“See you all in the Summer.”
Off the pitch, Robertson also addressed the elephant in the room – his Liverpool contract, which is due to expire this summer. Speaking to the media last Friday , he confirmed that a decision on his future would be made before the World Cup begins, admitting the situation needs resolving sooner rather than later:
“My thoughts will stay private, they always have.”
“There’s been a lot of discussions had internally. I’ve always got to work out what me and my family want and that’s always been consistent. We know the end of the season is coming and obviously we’ll need to make a decision soon.”
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