Andy Robertson on the Brink of Historic 100 Caps for Scotland

Andy Robertson is nearing a remarkable milestone in his career, poised to become just the second player in Scotland's history to earn 100 caps. The Liverpool left-back is on track to reach this significant achievement during Saturday's Nations League clash with North Macedonia, edging closer to the all-time record. Since making his debut under Gordon Strachan back in 2014, Robertson has been a linchpin for the Scotland national team. With his rapid ascent from a young talent at Dundee United to captain of the national side, he has truly shaped a generation of Scottish footballers. Kenny Dalglish, the legendary figure of Scottish football, currently holds the record for the most caps at 102. However, if Robertson continues to play in Scotland's remaining Nations League fixtures this year, he could soon surpass his friend’s long-standing record. It's fitting that Robertson is the one knocking at the door of Dalglish’s record, given their friendship that blossomed during his time at Liverpool. Robertson shared a light-hearted moment on the Stick to Football podcast, recalling how Dalglish playfully downplays his achievements: "He always says, 'You've got millions more games; Nations League, what's that? They didn't have that in my day!'" As he nears the century mark, it’s clear this milestone has been on Robertson's mind for a while. "When you hit 80 caps, you start to look up," he noted, acknowledging the significance of this achievement. While Dalglish’s record of 30 goals remains out of reach for Robertson, fellow teammate John McGinn is only eight caps behind him. This means Scotland's centurion club could soon welcome a third member. Since taking over the captaincy from Scott Brown in 2018, Robertson has led his country 29 times, far more than any other player in that span. Back then, he had only 22 caps but was already establishing himself as a crucial player for Liverpool, culminating in a Champions League final appearance. Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay praised Robertson's leadership qualities: "He's such a great captain, balancing being a senior player while also motivating others. He’s brilliant with younger players and helps organize everything with the manager." Over the years, Robertson has played under four different permanent managers for the national team. Strachan was the one who first recognized his potential, giving him a chance in a friendly against Poland when he was just 19. Alex McLeish named him captain in 2018, calling him an "inspirational figure," and he has since continued to lead under new boss Sebastien Pocognoli. Interestingly, he also had a brief appearance under interim manager Malky Mackay in 2017. Most notably, Robertson's tenure has been closely associated with Steve Clarke, under whom he has played 68 times, all as captain. Clarke has consistently lauded Robertson's contributions: "He's been a fantastic captain for Scotland, leading the group like the leader he is." Given his impressive longevity, it's no surprise that Robertson stands at the top of the assist charts for Scotland since his debut. His dynamic runs and crosses from the left-back position have been vital for a team that has not always been prolific in front of goal. Robertson may only have four international goals, but they’ve come at crucial moments, including a pivotal strike against Cyprus that marked the start of Clarke’s era and a last-gasp winner against Poland that helped stave off relegation in the Nations League. His caps are well-distributed between friendlies and qualification matches, but he has also made nine appearances in major tournaments—a statistic he will want to improve upon, especially with only one win to show for it from those outings. What stands out about Robertson is his remarkable consistency. He has started 97 of his 99 caps, averaging 83 minutes per appearance and rarely being substituted. Remarkably, he has not missed a single camp in three years. As he approaches this milestone, the only lingering question is: how many more caps will Robertson accumulate? At just 32 and still excelling in the Premier League, it seems there are plenty more to come.