Recently, Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson accepted an interview with the Premier League, discussing Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup and Liverpool’s current situation.
How did you feel when Scotland successfully qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
“Of course, it was an incredible feeling. To qualify again after 28 years is a huge weight off our shoulders. We’ve waited so long for this moment. It’s amazing to be part of the team that fulfilled the dream of countless people across the country – it’s definitely one of the most unforgettable nights of my life. Thinking about my family and friends watching this happen in the stadium, the happiness is indescribable. What’s most important is that this has reignited the nation’s passion for football.”
It’s been nearly 30 years since your last World Cup qualification. You must have been only three or four years old then. Did you ever think you’d become a professional footballer at that age? Probably not, right?
“I was too young to think about that kind of thing. But I’ve always loved playing football and running around since I was a kid. So I definitely knew about football early on and really enjoyed it. But back then, during that World Cup, I had no idea I’d become a professional player – I was just too young. I don’t have many memories of that tournament. That’s why I’m so grateful we can create precious World Cup memories for my generation of Scots.”
You not only qualified but also had a thrilling journey. The goals and their timing were perfect, like something out of a movie.
“Yeah, the quality of those goals was incredible. You know, when the team needed everyone to bring their best performance of their careers, everyone stepped up. And the ending was so crazy, so unbelievable – we couldn’t have asked for a better result.”
For fans and viewers at home, the process was really nail-biting. Looking back now, especially the moment Kenny McLean noticed Schmeichel was off his line for that goal, what do you think of it?
“I could watch the highlights of this game over and over again and never get tired of it, especially the last five to ten minutes. Every time I watch it, I can’t help but smile.”
Let’s talk about club football. Liverpool’s form isn’t great right now. How do you think the team can get out of this slump?
“The way to get out of a slump is to train harder. Put more effort on the training ground, run more, fight more, and overwhelm opponents with movement. That’s the only way through tough times. You have to work harder than everyone else – if you don’t, we’ll stay stuck where we are. But if we do, the results will gradually improve, I’m convinced of that.”
“Also, no matter the outside noise or people criticizing the players and the team, we can’t lose confidence. We must always believe in our ability. More importantly, the whole team needs to be united and trust each other. With our squad’s quality, I think we’re fully capable of turning things around if we can do that.”
We can all see the results aren’t satisfactory, but from the daily training and team dynamics that outsiders don’t see, is there anything different compared to last season?
“I don’t think there’s much difference. Our pre-match preparations and training schedules are almost identical to last season. But last season, we performed perfectly, leading the league by a mile – it was probably the easiest title run in the team’s history. This season, we’ve really faced some difficulties. Losing feels terrible, and the team’s performance hasn’t satisfied anyone.”
“But now we have to push through this period and climb back up the league table. None of this is possible without consistent performances, unity, and hard training. If we can do these things, I believe the team’s results and league position will get better.”
You just mentioned belief. As one of the senior players in the team, what role do you play in uniting the team’s belief? How do you position yourself off the pitch?
“It’s about trying to help my teammates as much as possible. If someone is struggling or in bad form, I’ll give them a hand. At the same time, I’ll set higher standards for them, push everyone to maintain a high level, and constantly remind them not to slack off. I think that’s the responsibility of team leaders, and it won’t change now.”
“You know what I mean? We’ll keep demanding more from everyone. If we persist, I’m sure we can turn this slump around. Of course, it’s not easy to say this now, given how poor our results have been. But ultimately, only us players on the pitch can change things – it’s time to step up.”
This is your ninth season at Liverpool. But before joining Liverpool, a tweet you posted in 2012 went viral – the one with the ‘looking for work’ hashtag, which people dug up later. Over a decade later, you’ve won all honors in English football. Looking back on this career journey, how would you describe it?
“I’m not someone who looks back often – I prefer to look forward. I think it’s better to reflect on my career achievements after I retire. But I can say I’m extremely proud of my roots, everything I’ve accomplished in football, and the process of fulfilling my dreams step by step. So when I do retire and have time to look back, I might think more deeply about every bit of my career.”
“But right now, my focus is fully on the next game. That’s football – you have to keep moving forward. The past can’t be changed; all we can control is the future. That’s always been my attitude towards life, and it’s served me well so far.”
Is it too early to ask this? I’ve seen many rankings that list you as one of the top left-backs in Premier League history, at least in the top three. What do you think of your historical status in the Premier League?
“Of course, I’m happy to hear that kind of praise and honored to be part of that discussion. I know I’ve put in a lot for Liverpool and the Premier League, and I’ve played an important role in the team’s success. So it’s really satisfying to receive that recognition. I’d be happy if people mention my name when talking about the best left-backs in Premier League history.”
“But to be honest, I don’t pay too much attention to it. Right now, I just want to maintain my high level, help the team as much as I can, and focus on the next game. I hope we can win that one and gradually rebuild the team’s confidence. So I haven’t really thought about topics like historical status. But after I retire, when I have more free time, I might think about it occasionally.”
