Andy Robertson has already been booed at Everton‘s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Liverpool haven’t even played there yet!
With the first Merseyside derby on the Bramley Moore Dock less than three weeks away, Robertson got a taste for the ground as he captained Scotland to a 1-0 loss against Cote d’Ivoire.
With the African outfit ‘hosting’, the Tartan Army took over Liverpool as just over 33,000 people watched Steve Clarke’s side face a Cote d’Ivoire side who will also be travelling to America for the World Cup in June.
When Andy Robertson‘s name was read out, a few Evertonians in attendance jeered. However, it was the post-match boos for his team with which the 32-year-old disagreed.
Having suffered a 1-0 home loss against Japan three days earlier, a section of Scotland fans weren’t happy with the performance and voiced their criticism at full time.
“I heard a couple of boos which I wasn’t too happy [about], but I thought the reception when we done our lap of thanks was magnificent,” Robertson told media including This Is Anfield.
“It was Scotland fans, OK they weren’t happy with the result but they were happy with the team. We’ve just qualified for the World Cup, first time since 1998.
“They were people in the stands that were proud of their lads, proud of the performance tonight as well, especially in the second half.
“We’re annoyed at not winning every single game we play, but we also want to learn as well, especially in friendlies and that’s the time to learn.”
Backing Steve Clarke and stepping up for competitive matches
Despite Scotland qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998, manager and ex-Liverpool coach Steve Clarke’s future is not secure.
His contract expires after the tournament and talks over a new deal have stalled, with the 62-year-old refusing to talk about the situation.
Robertson backed the boss after Scotland’s defeat in Liverpool, saying: “I think under this manager for the last eight years he’s been in charge, we’ve shown that when it comes to qualifiers, we’ve stepped up.”
“Now the argument is that in the Euros, people could argue that maybe we’ve not made that step, we’ve not got out the group, so that’s the next step that we want to do and that’s what we need to work towards for the summer.
“And I think these two games should help us in that.”
Liverpool’s full-back played as a left-wing back against Cote d’Ivoire, with the left-footer playing in an advanced position for much of the match.
Robertson explained why Clarke’s side have changed formation on multiple occasions, commenting: “We play three completely different teams in the group stage and our aim is to get out the group stage so we have to be able to play different systems.
“And I think that’s why today happened and that’s why Saturday happened. We need different ways of playing and we never know what can happen, injuries, suspensions, things like that.
“So you never know what can happen and we always have to be ready to react and I think that’s why these friendlies are important that we’ve used two systems now.
“I thought we’ve learned in both of them and got better in both of them, so come the summer we’ll have both of them that we’ll be able to do.”
While playing in the World Cup will be a landmark moment in Robertson’s career, attention must now turn to Liverpool’s fight for Champions League qualification.
The Reds’ vice-captain hasn’t been involved as much as he would have liked this year, but he could still have a big role to play in the next few weeks, with Liverpool facing five difficult games before Robertson returns to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19 for the derby.