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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Keifer MacDonald

Liverpool star Andy Robertson fires back after Rodri "bit rubbish" claim

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has revelled in the fact Scotland were able to get "under the skin" of their Spanish counterparts during the stunning 2-0 European Championship qualifying victory at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

The Tartan Army secured a first success over the Spaniards in 39 years thanks to a brace from Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, ensuring Steve Clarke's side made it two wins from as many games in their quest for consecutive appearances at the championships, which will be hosted in Germany next summer.

After the match, Spain's captain, Rodri, accused Scotland of employing "rubbish" underhand tactics to secure the win - insisting Robertson and his "provoking" team-mates were "always wasting time".

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The Manchester City star said: “It’s the way they play. You have to respect it but for me, it’s a bit rubbish. Because it’s always wasting time. They provoke you, they always fall. For me, this is not football.

“For the spirit of the sport, you have to move on. The referee has to take control of this but he says nothing. It’s a bit frustrating because we want to win but they waste time, waste time. It is what it is. They have their weapons, we have to use our weapons and I think we will learn for the next time.”

However, the Liverpool left-back has countered such claims by recognising Scotland unsettled the 2010 World champions.

"They were going down a little bit easily," said Robertson after the historic success. "We were always going to be physical, we wanted to win our challenges - we did that, and I don’t think we crossed a line. We got under their skin a bit. It was an all-round top performance."

Beforehand, the 29-year-old cited a revitalised belief under Clarke, who last week penned a new three-year deal to continue as head coach, as to why the early stages of their mission to avenge their World Cup qualification heartbreak has got off to such an emphatic start.

“We had belief,” added Robertson. “When the gaffer took over that was what was lacking. There was a disconnect between players and fans. Let me tell you, playing in front of a full crowd makes a massive difference, but you’ve got to back it up with performances.

“It’s important we don’t get carried away. We’ve got six points, which is a great start, but unfortunately six points doesn’t qualify you for the Euros. We have to keep going and show the same determination and desire we did tonight, and if we do that we’ve got one hell of a chance to win any game.

“You look at the squad, look at the bench and it’s full of quality. Now we have to keep performing. It’s an absolute joy to captain these lads. We’ve got so many leaders, so many young lads that will become leaders.

“The gaffer and his team set us up so well tonight, we knew we had the game plan and could cause them problems."

It has been a fine few days with the Tartan Army for Robertson, who notched his third assist of the international break by teeing up McTominay for his first-half opener. The defender is due back on Merseyside later this week ahead of Liverpool's trip to the Etihad on Saturday as they look to begin chasing down Newcastle United in the race for Champions League football.

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