Andy Robertson says that it is time that everyone involved in Scottish football started talking up our game, just like they do south of the border.
There has been no shortage of critics from England sniping at the standard of Scottish football lately, but Robertson believes it up to us as Scots to project a better image of our national sport.
And the Liverpool full-back thinks that we should take a leaf out of the English Premier League’s book by accentuating everything that is good and unique about Scottish f/8ootball as often as we can.
“I think we are our own worst enemies at times,” Robertson said. “I think people up here don’t talk it down as much, but some do.
“Scottish football is getting a lot better. You see that by the crowds and the players that are coming through.
“I think everyone needs to start backing it and get behind it. Look at the English league. Everyone down there backs it. That’s why it’s so highly spoken of.
“If Scottish football can do that it will make it a lot more appealing to some fans who are maybe not coming.”
Robertson had even more reason than usual to savour his appearance for Scotland last week, with time on the pitch at a premium for his club side of late.
The left-back admits that it has been a tough start to life at one of the country’s biggest clubs, but he is determined to make an impact at Anfield.
“Of course, it’s difficult for me,” he said. “I don’t make any secret of it – I hate not playing. It’s been a very frustrating three months for me.
“I was looking forward to the Holland game to hopefully get some game time. I’m delighted to get 90 minutes. I was a bit rusty and it probably caught up with me in the last 20 minutes, but that’s something I’ve got to look at. I need to get more game time.
“How do I cope with this? That’s a hard one. Maybe it’s a question I can’t answer right now because I’ve not cracked it yet. I’ve not been used to it. In the past five years my rise has been good.
“If I can keep doing what I’m doing then hopefully my chance will come.
“I’ve spoken to the manager because I felt as if the settling-in period was over for me and I thought I was ready to play.
“I felt I did myself justice in the games I have played so I had a good chat with him, he gave me a few points to work on and that’s kept me going.
“I know I’m still well in his plans and if I work on the things he’s asked me to then hopefully I’ll be in the first team, or closer to it.”
One thing consoling Robertson during this testing professional period is the joy that his new baby son Rocco has brought into his personal life.
“It’s great being a dad,” he said. “It’s like anyone, if things aren’t going well at work and you go home and see your missus and kid then it cheers you up straight away.
“I thank them, they’re both keeping me going and that’s what makes me go into training every day with a smile on my face.”
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