Story by
Why Andy Robertson's latest display proved it's time for him to quit Scotland focus solely on Tottenham
- Story by
- Why Andy Robertson's latest display proved it's time for him to quit Scotland focus solely on Tottenham
Before anyone thinks otherwise, Andy Robertson is a fantastic football and has had an incredible career.
Although things haven't got off to the best start for him at Tottenham Hotspur , the 32-year-old is someone who still has plenty to offer to the North London club.
Advertisement
However, it's time to have a frank discussion about his Scotland career after a really poor performance in their 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Saturday.
For the most part of the game in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, Scotland were the better team, with Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak easily the best player on the pitch due to the sheer number of big saves he made.
Robertson and co will be scratching their heads at how they didn't win, and ultimately it was down to poor finishing and a lack of chances created in the first half.
But the ex- Liverpool left-back also, unfortunately, needs to take a look in the mirror and decide what's best for him now going forward.
Advertisement
Andy Robertson's stats vs Slovenia paint worrying picture
Robertson absolutely peppered the Slovenia box with crosses throughout the 90 minutes.
He generated an xA (expected assists) of 0.28 from the three key passes he made.
However, only four of his 14 crosses were on target, and only one of his six long ball attempts found a Scotland teammate.
Stats by Sofascore show that he lost possession 21 times in total and throughout the match, he only made one progressive carry, meaning that he only dribbled the ball significantly closer to the Slovenia goal on one occasion.
Robertson didn't have a lot to do defensively, especially after the break, but that was arguably where he performed the best with three defensive contributions (one tackle, one interception and one clearance), seven recoveries, a 100 per cent aerial duel win-rate from two challenges and wasn't dribbled past once.
Advertisement
He also won four out of the seven ground duels he contested.
And that begs a question that many Scotland fans were asking on social media.
Tottenham insider shuts down Andy Robertson 'talk' he's heard after loss vs Brentford What those stats say about Robertson's Scotland future
One thing is for sure, Robertson is an experienced player.
However, he's a player who was known at Liverpool for bombing down the left and wreaking absolute havoc on defences with his dribbling, crosses and ability to burst into the box at the back post.
None of that was really evident against Slovenia.
One Scotland fan put it well on X, saying: "Andy Robertson with another 'leave the football, before the football leaves you' masterclass."
Advertisement
It sums it up well, because no one is saying that Robertson is an awful player, it's just that he's clearly not the player he once was and when you're approaching your mid-30s, it's something that footballers have to think about.
It's a fairly selfish stance but from Tottenham's perspective, it would be best if Robertson wound down his international career and focus solely on Spurs.
In the summer, he signed a four-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, meaning that he's confident of playing for Spurs all the way up until he's 36.
He's played at the European Championships and World Cup with Scotland - there's not much else for him to do with the Tartan Army other than to rack up a few more caps for the sake of some records.
Advertisement
Robertson is on 98 caps.
He should get his 100th during this international break and then in the next break, in November, there'll be enough games for him to reach 103.
If he does that, he'll break Sir Kenny Dalglish's 102-cap record for Scotland, meaning that it kind of does make sense for Robertson to be seriously thinking about international retirement soon.
