World Cup 2026: Scotland captain Andy Robertson ‘talks about your moment’ of being part of historic team | Football news
Andy Robertson was expected to be named in Scotland’s World Cup squad, but admitted it was “your big moment” when he was confirmed as one of Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad.
The team have flown to the United States to take part in soccer’s biggest tournament for the first time since 1998, being welcomed by the Tartan Army at Glasgow Airport.
Scotland face Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday in their final warm-up game before moving on to their training ground in North Carolina.
Robertson will take Scotland out of their World Cup opener against Haiti in Boston on June 14 (2am, UK time), where they face Morocco – at Gillette Stadium – and their final group game against Brazil in Miami.
“I actually left the field the first game? I haven’t allowed my mind to go there,” the defender said. Sky Sports News.
“I don’t like to get too far ahead. I think I’ll live in that moment when I know it’s night and I know it’s game day.
“With the way I always work, I never look too far ahead.
“I was confident that I would be in the team, but for me it is still a big moment, it is still your chance to be called to the World Cup team that goes to Scotland.”
Robertson, Scotland’s second most capped player behind Sir Kenny Dalglish, was only four years old when Scotland last played in the World Cup.
“We had a little group chat about the guys who are my best friends, and I put in a message when the squad was announced,” added the 32-year-old.
“I was like ‘who would have thought we would all go to the World Cup when we were all playing like little kids and racing at 11 and 12 years old?’ And it was a real moment of success because it is not easy to get to the World Cup.
“I think we’ve shown you how long it took us to get there – since 1998 – but the fact that you’re one of 26 to represent your country at a major stage, it’s a real proud moment.
Craig Gordon, 43, is the oldest member of the Scottish team
“We’ve had dark times, we’ve had dark times.
“In a Scotland jersey, the lowest lows you can have and the highest highs you can have with your country because you know you’re representing a nation, and that’s it. But I think that’s why our team is so close and a good group of lads because if you look at everyone’s story, they’re all very similar.”
Scotland’s full World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (TBC), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).
Leaders: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Rangers), Ross Stewart (Southampton).
