Andy Robertson’s first match as Scotland captain turned out to be a nightmare as his team suffered a 4-0 pasting at the hands of Belgium.
Here Press Association Sport assesses the Liverpool defender’s first display since taking over the armband.
Reception
Robbo is set to make his first start as captain for @ScotlandNT tonight. ??
Good luck, @andrewrobertso5. ? pic.twitter.com/VA8Qu0iaYu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 7, 2018
Robertson’s association with Hampden stretches back to his days as a Queen’s Park player and he got a hero’s welcome as he returned to the National Stadium for the first time as skipper. He got the loudest cheer of the night as his name was read out before kick-off – but that was as good as it got for the 24-year-old. With the ground less than half full and Belgium in no mood to take it easy, you could hear a pin drop for most of the 90 minutes as the Scots suffered their heaviest home defeat in 45 years.
Defensive
Attacking
Leadership
FULL TIME | Scotland 0-4 Belgium. A dominant performance from the visitors sees Scotland succumb to a friendly defeat at Hampden. pic.twitter.com/WMftluTPR8
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 7, 2018
The softly-spoken Glaswegian is not afraid to make himself heard but his idea of captaincy looks to be based more on leading by example that rousing auditory. Unfortunately it is hard to raise spirits when up against a side packing such devastating firepower as Roberto Martinez’s side. The true test of Robertson’s influence will come in the next few days as he looks to soothe his squad’s battered pride ahead of Monday’s Nations League opener against Albania.
