‘Really poor’: Critics of under-fire Liverpool star given stern rebuke by international boss

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With Champions League and English Premier League winner’s medals in his collection, Andy Robertson brings with him a weight of expectation to Scotland camps.

It’s fair to say, however, that he is not currently hitting the heights he’s capable of while wearing his national team’s shirt.

The debate continues to persist regarding Scotland’s best left-back option, with it widely accepted that Steve Clarke’s best two players are both suited to the same position.

Kieran Tierney has played in a more central role under Clarke, with Robertson favoured on the left, but it is the Arsenal man who has made the greater impression of late and there is now a clamour for Tierney to be given a chance in his natural position.

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Speaking ahead of Scotland’s World Cup 2022 qualifier against Faroe Islands at Hampden, Clarke strongly defended his captain and insisted the Liverpool man’s critics are wide of the mark.

As quoted by Record Sport, he said:“It’s a problem more for the media, the pundits and the supporters. Not for us.

“I thought our left hand side, with Robertson and Tierney – whether Kieran was at left centre-back and Andy at left-back or Kieran left of a three with Andy left wing-back – worked well.

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“I thought the criticism of Andy Robertson the other night was poor. It was poor, really poor as Andy Robertson had a good game for us the other night in the first and second half.”

On whether there was a notable difference between Robertson’s performances for club and country, Clarke responded: “I think it’s unfair, it’s a different team.

“Listen, we’ve spoken about this one before with everyone saying you can’t get Kieran and Andy in the same team.

“But we can do it. We’ve done it. Consistently.

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“And maybe that’s one of the reasons we’ve qualified for a major tournament. Both of them were decent that night. For me it’s no longer a discussion. We can do it.

“They can play in the same team. Kieran likes to play on the left as well as Andy. I think we have found a way to do that.”