It was a good night for Liverpool players as Andy Robertson scored a late winner for Scotland and Conor Bradley earned UEFA Nations League promotion with Northern Ireland
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson admits it was a “special feeling” as he marked his 80th cap for Scotland with a last-gasp winner in Poland. Robertson struck with a far-post header in the third minute of injury time to earn his country a dramatic 2-1 triumph on Monday evening in their final UEFA Nations League group game.
Robertson has drawn level with former Manchester United man Darren Fletcher in the all-time appearance list for Scotland with only ex-United goalkeeper Jim Leighton and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish now ahead of him in the rankings.
And having netted his first international goal in more than seven years at the venue where he made his debut for the Tartan Army back in March 2014, the importance of the occasion was clear for the 30-year-old.
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“It’s all about the team and all about the win, but this stadium holds a special place in my heart,” said Robertson. “I made my debut here in a 1-0 win, which was the proudest moment of my career. I had all my family here.
“I didn’t know how many caps I was going to get after that but to then come back here and now be top three and join an absolute legend in Darren Fletcher, who I was very fortunate enough to share a changing room with, it’s great for me.
“I’m not a very emotional person but when you think about it – I just love playing for this country and to be able to get one cap, never mind 80, is such a special feeling.
“The goal was the cherry on top in the last minute, probably nobody expected that! I wish I scored more for my country because that feeling is like no other. Hopefully maybe there’s a couple more to come.”
Earlier in the game, teenage winger Ben Doak, on loan this season at Championship side Middlesbrough, continued his impressive form with a third assist in four internationals when creating John McGinn’s early opener.
Doak was a constant danger for Scotland until replaced midway through the second half. And Scotland head coach and former Liverpool assistant boss Steve Clarke said: “I think he tired quite quickly in the second half. I should maybe have taken him off a little bit earlier.
“But he’s a threat, he’s very direct and he gets at defenders. Having been a full-back myself I know when you’ve got a winger like that who gets at you, it makes it difficult for the defenders, and he brings us something that little bit different.”
Elsewhere in the UEFA Nations League, Conor Bradley scored his fourth goal for Northern Ireland as they held on in Luxembourg to earn qualification to League B as group winners.
Bradley, who was named player on the match, struck early in the second half to put the visitors two goals up before a late rally from the home side secured a 2-2 draw.
“We are a young team that has to learn on the job in a way but I feel we are getting better with every game and we can go into the World Cup (qualifiers) with hope,” said the 21-year-old afterwards. “I’m really looking forward to it.
“I thought it was probably one of our best performances in the whole group. We played some fantastic football throughout and then there was a five or 10-minute spell when they were on top and got two goals, which can happen in football.
“It stunned us because we were in total control and it was disappointing but we got through the game after that.”
Meanwhile, Tyler Morton played 74 minutes for England under-21s in their 1-1 friendly draw against Holland in Almere, while 18-year-old Academy forward Keyrol Figueroa started for USA U20s in their impressive 2-1 friendly triumph over France at the Clairefontaine Training Centre.
And Rio Ngumoha came on for the final quarter for England U17s as they were beaten 2-1 by Belgium in the second of their friendly double-header in Tubize.
