Andy Robertson can be one of Scotland's greatest captains, says McCoist

The Liverpool left-back was announced as the nation's new captain on Monday

Published 4th Sep 2018

Ally McCoist has backed Andy Robertson to go down in history amongst Billy Bremner and Kenny Dalglish as one of Scotland's greatest captains.

The former national team assistant boss believes Liverpool defender Robertson is the perfect choice to skipper the Scots.

And he believes the ex-Queen's Park and Dundee United full-back can go on to carve out his place in history alongside some of the biggest names to have ever led out the country.

McCoist said: "He's brilliant. I just love watching him. When you think four or five years ago Robertson was playing for Queen's Park, it's been a brilliant journey.

"He's a wonderful choice as captain and what an example for younger kids to look at. There you go, from Queen's Park to the Champions League final and now captaining your country. A brilliant story.

"He's a guy who always leads by example and if you look at Scotland captains of the past, every one of them led by example, going back to Billy Bremner and all these guys.

"Wee Robertson will do just that. I speak to a lot of the Liverpool boys and they say he trains as he plays, which is a great example.

"It's still very early in his career and clearly we all have high hopes for him but if he can follow in the footsteps of your Bremners, your Sounesses, your Browns, I'll be delighted.

"It's been a wee while since we had a really top, iconic Scottish player that we can all relate to and hold in great esteem. I am putting pressure on him here but he would be a hopeful target for us in the future to take that mantle.

"I just hope that with continued success we can be talking about him in the same way we do with a Kenny Dalglish or a Gordon McQueen - great Scotland players - and I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case.''

While picking Robertson as captain was a straight-forward choice, McCoist believes national team boss Alex McLeish faces a much tougher decision on who to start in goal against Belgium on Friday night.

Celtic stopper Gordon was number one during the Scots' recent World Cup qualifying campaign but Rangers keeper McGregor has shown he is ready to reclaim the jersey after producing a string of stunning stops during Sunday's 1-0 Old Firm defeat.

"It's a tight battle,'' said McCoist. "The funny thing is Celtic probably did not do Craig Gordon any favours because he was very, very quiet.

"If you're looking at that Old Firm game in isolation, then McGregor is the one you're talking about because he's made a string of top saves. The one from Olivier Ntcham that he gets down to his right and puts onto the bar is a phenomenal save.

"So we're talking more about McGregor because he had more to do but to be fair we are in a fortunate position with the two keepers.

"It's a good problem for Alex to have though as both are more than competent and as a Scotland fan you'd be happy with either of them in the sticks for the up-coming games.'