Andrew Robertson Liverpool
A goal in each half from Patrik Schick meant that the Czech Republic left Hampden Park with all three points as Scotland returned to a major tournament for the first time in 23 years. Andy Robertson became the first Scot to lead out the team at a European Championships since Gary McAllister in 1996. The 27-year-old was a constant threat for Steve Clarke’s side down the left and was one of the main sources of creativity delivering teasing deliveries into dangerous areas. The Scotland left-back created six chances in the match but they failed to convert them as they were made to rue not taking their chances.
Andy Robertson said: “It’s hard to put your finger on, the whole country wanted to get off to a good start, we were confident and excited going into the game I think it comes down to not taking our chances. When you look back on the game you can’t say we’ve not created, we had some really, really good chances that on a day we should’ve done better with and if you do better on that it’s a different game.”
The Tartan Army’s last game in a major competition was a 3-0 defeat to Morocco in June 1998. Those who were in attendance at Hampden Park roared Clarke’s side on. But Robertson said it was a “tough lesson” as their hopes of getting off to a winning start were dashed.
Andy Robertson said: “For our first game in a very long time it’s a tough lesson at the highest level and the best tournaments in the world, you have to take your chances when they come and the Czech Republic have done that, we didn’t and that’s why we’re on the wrong end of the result. The first one, for the height of us we shouldn’t concede from second balls or set-pieces we were really good at clearing the set-piece but then you’ve got to pick up your man and defend it. To be fair to the boy it is a good header, we just need to be maybe a bit more stronger and a bit braver. “
Schick’s wondergoal will be played over and over again. His effort from 49.7 yards now holds the record for the furthest distance of a goal scored in the European Championships since 1980.
Andy Robertson said: “We started the second half really well, hit the bar and had a few really good chances but we’ve had a shot blocked and i think he’s in his own half, Marshy (Andy Marshall) has to be in that position because if there is any ball in behind, he’s in the perfect position, it’s a one in a million shot unfortunately and it did knock the stuffing out of us. After that we still created a couple of chances, if you put it down and make it 2-1, the crowd starts to lift and it’s a different game but we didn’t manage it. Going forward we have to be a bit more clinical, if we do that we’ve got a good chance.”
Scotland travel to Wembley next, looking to be in with a chance to progress through to the knockout stages before they welcome Croatia to Hampden Park on Tuesday, June 22.
