It should have been one of the proudest evenings of Andy Robertson’s life. The left-back had been emotional at the prospect of leading out his country for the first time.
The fact that the match was being held at the same stadium he graced as an amateur with Queen’s Park, before embarking on the start of his remarkable journey to the 2018 Champions League final with Liverpool, gave the occasion added poignancy.
Throw into the mix his family, friends and partner all coming along to Hampden to cheer him on, it should have been a dream come true for the 24-year-old.
Andy Robertson endured a tough first night as the captain of Scotland against Belgium
But captaining Scotland to a heaviest home defeat in 45 years — since a 5-0 thumping by England in February 1973 — meant a player used to living a fairy-tale existence endured a nightmare in Mount Florida.
By the end of a long, brutal night on Glasgow’s south side that finished 4-0 — but really could have been more — to a rampant Belgium, Robertson’s pride had been replaced by pain.
‘I didn’t really enjoy that, no,’ grimaced the defender. ‘Obviously it was an emotional day for me. And with all of my family here to watch, it was an emotional night for them as well.
‘But I don’t care about the armband on my arm if we get beaten 4-0. I am sure there will be better days than this...’
Romelu Lukaku got the Red Devils off the mark before the impossibly gifted Eden Hazard doubled the scoring after the half-time break.
Robertson says he will have better days in the future when leading out his home nation
Substitute Michy Batshuayi scored twice more to clinch a handsome victory for Roberto Martinez’s side, who are placed second in the FIFA rankings.
As classy as the Belgians undoubtedly were, though, Scotland were the architects of their own downfall.
Individual errors from John McGinn, Charlie Mulgrew and Ryan Jack proved costly at the first, third and fourth goals.
Craig Gordon also looked suspect for Hazard’s goal, although Robertson insisted there was nothing the Celtic keeper could do about the Chelsea superstar’s vicious high shot that blurred into the roof of his net.
‘Hazard scored an unbelievable goal but, other than that, the three goals are all our own doing. That needs to change,’ said the skipper. ‘For their first one, Craig Gordon has tried a quick throw out and John McGinn was not ready for it. John is caught in two minds and, all of a sudden, we are down one-nil.
‘Sometimes you need to take the sting out the game. That’s something we need to learn as a team.
‘But, other than that mistake, I don’t think Belgium had many chances in the first half. If we had gone in 0-0 at the break, that would have been good. We could have regrouped.
‘I don’t think anyone is trying to say we are in the same calibre as Belgium. But it’s got to be the aim that we can compete with these kind of teams.
‘That will come with time and I’m sure we will get there. If we can stop the mistakes, then we will be a much better team for it.’
That is four defeats and one win in Alex McLeish’s first five matches of his so far underwhelming second spell as Scotland boss.
Next up is Albania in the Nations League at Hampden on Monday night but Robertson does not believe his side are in need of a confidence boost ahead of their first competitive fixture under the former Rangers manager.
‘No, we just need to look at the mistakes and fix them for the next game,’ said Robertson.
‘This is a new group of players and a new formation, with a new manager as well and you are always going to have some teething problems.
‘But, at the end of the day, this match was down to basic errors and all the boys who made them will know that. We need to fix that. But all the boys around about them as are much to blame.
‘Albania will be a massive difference to Belgium. I don’t know much about Albania but I’m sure we will be well-drilled for them come Monday.’
This also proved a torrid, bittersweet Scotland debut for Hearts defender John Souttar against a team that finished third at the World Cup in Russia.
‘It was the biggest test of my career by far,’ nodded the 21-year-old.
‘It was a learning curve. Belgium are ruthless, they punish you. Their finishing is ruthless and so is their movement. But it was three individual errors from us that led to three goals.
‘But making my Scotland debut is something I have strived to achieve for a long time.
‘And if I’m going to be where I want to go in my career, I’m going to have to play people like these Belgian players and learn from the experience.
‘So, on a selfish note, it was good to go up against players like that.
‘I felt good and I enjoyed it. But the result obviously dampens the whole experience.’
Souttar is sure Scotland will be ready for Albania, who beat Israel 1-0 at home last night in their Nations League Group C1 opener in Elbasan thanks to Taulant Xhaka’s 55th-minute strike.
‘Monday will be a completely different game,’ vowed Souttar.
‘Belgium are ranked second in the world for a reason. They are a top team and everyone saw in the World Cup just how good they are.
‘They knocked Brazil about the park — and out of the tournament — and it was always going to be tough for us.
‘We’ve got to learn quick. The manager has come in and put his own philosophy and formation on the team.
‘Obviously the result was poor tonight and a lot of stuff wasn’t great. But there were a few things which looked positive.
‘Hopefully, we can take that positive stuff into Monday night’s competitive game.
‘All the focus is definitely on Albania on Monday now because that’s the important one.’
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/08/i-dont-really-care-about-wearing-the-armband-if-we-lose-4-0-says-andy-robertson/
Main photo article It should have been one of the proudest evenings of Andy Robertson’s life. The left-back had been emotional at the prospect of leading out his country for the first time.
The fact that the match was being held at the same stadium he graced as an amateur with Queen’s Park, before embarking on the ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/08/01/4FDB5D2500000578-0-image-a-15_1536365140569.jpg
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