Robertson admits Scotland highs kept him going
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Scotland captain Andy Robertson admits international football has been a boost during a tough season with Liverpool - and he's now looking forward to another lift in two important World Cup warm-up matches.The national team squad is back together for the first time since they booked a place at World Cup 2026 in dramatic fashion with the 4-2 win over Denmark. They face Japan at Hampden on Saturday, and Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday in two of only three confirmed friendlies before the summer tournament.Robertson is anticipating two tough tests as Steve Clarke and the players step up their preparations for the group stage matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the summer, but says it's a pleasure to be meeting up with his teammates and returning to the Scotland camp.The left-back has enjoyed the highs of qualification with Scotland, but in a Liverpool shirt he has had a challenging time, losing his starting spot to Milos Kerkez.
"It's kept me going at times this season, it's got to do," Robertson said. "Especially at the start of the season"Robertson anticipates an excited Hampden crowd on Saturday as everyone looks forward to the World Cup.However, he is glad to be playing friendlies rather than being involved in nerve-shredding play-offs to reach the finals.Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland all suffered play-off defeats this week and will miss out on the tournament in USA, Mexico and Canada, making Robertson appreciate automatic qualification all the more."My initial thoughts were that it shows how hard it is to qualify for the World Cup," he said when asked for his reaction to their results."I don't think people need to realise in this country but I hope it maybe sets another reminder of how special what the lads and staff and everyone else connected did collectively.
"It's so hard to first of all finish top of your group but then if you don't you go into the play-offs."I think last night when the games kicked off I was delighted we've got a friendly on Saturday, we weren't involved in any games yesterday."It's just about us looking forward to the World Cup now, just everyone enjoying the achievement and hopefully they can go and achieve more."Now the countdown to the finals continues with two tests against non-European opposition and the captain said that was a rarity he was looking forward to, as well as expecting real questions to be asked of his side."They are really important, amazing games to be involved in," he added. The manager's always been quite good at using these games."We want to go into the World Cup with momentum."