Andy Robertson Says Scotland Duty Keeps Him Going Amid A Tough Liverpool Season

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Andy Robertson says international duty with Scotland has helped sustain motivation during a challenging Liverpool campaign. The full-back has featured less often this season, yet stands on the verge of a major landmark for Scotland, with a pre-World Cup friendly against Japan approaching and records held by Jim Leighton and Kenny Dalglish in reach.

Scotland have already booked a place at the World Cup, sealing qualification in November and ending a long absence from the tournament. The upcoming match against Japan on Saturday is part of their build-up and could also move Robertson into joint-second on Scotland’s all-time appearance list.

If Robertson starts the friendly against Japan, the defender will move to 91 Scotland caps, matching Jim Leighton. That would leave Robertson 11 games short of all-time leader Kenny Dalglish. The fixture also offers Scotland another chance to continue an improved run of results, after several years of inconsistent form in friendlies.

Scotland have won eight of their last 12 matches in all competitions, drawing one and losing three. That is a clear shift from the previous stretch, when Scotland managed only one win from 16 games, with five draws and 10 defeats. Their most recent friendly ended in a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein.

Despite that result, Scotland have struggled to turn home friendlies into wins in recent years. They have gone 10 such games without victory on Scottish soil, drawing three and losing seven. Their last home friendly success came in March 2016, when Denmark were beaten 1-0, also during a period of four straight friendly wins.

The Liverpool defender explained how representing Scotland has helped during a season when club minutes have reduced. Robertson has made 30 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, but only 15 as a starter and just nine full matches. Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has faltered, with the team currently fifth and chasing Champions League qualification.

The competition for places at Liverpool has grown since Milos Kerkez arrived before the season. That signing has pushed Robertson further down the pecking order. The 32-year-old is also in the final year of a Liverpool contract, which expires at the end of the current campaign, adding another layer of uncertainty around club future and game time.

Robertson outlined how Scotland’s regular fixtures earlier in the season gave structure when club rhythm felt disrupted. He highlighted the blocks of international games during September, October and November, which included high-pressure qualifiers. Those matches provided a steady flow of opportunities to play key minutes for the national team.

"It's kept me going at times this season, Scotland duty, you know, I can safely say that," said Robertson. "Especially at the start of the season when you've got it every three, four weeks. September, October, November; it was important for me, obviously, playing in such big games."

Robertson went into more detail on what those international windows meant mentally and professionally. "It gave you something to focus on, it gave you something to be a part of. I love coming away with the country, but, you know, when you've been playing lots of games at club level, sometimes your mind can wander and things like that."

Robertson has also been tracking his progress up Scotland’s appearance chart, with several benchmarks already passed. "I know there's a chance to go and match Jim Leighton, which is something I could only have ever dreamed of. There was a period when I equalled Darren Fletcher, then there's been a bit of a long slog to try and catch Jim."

Robertson’s current situation links personal and national targets. Liverpool’s difficult title defence and reduced role at club level have contrasted with Scotland’s progress, World Cup return and his climb towards the appearance records. The friendly against Japan now carries value for form, preparation and another step in Robertson’s Scotland journey.