Robertson urges Scotland to shift Euros mindset from 'happy to be there'
By Paul Martin, Sportsbeat
Andy Robertson believes Scotland can make history at this summer’s European Championships by shifting their mindset from feeling ‘happy to be there’.
Robertson will captain his country in Germany, as he did at Euro 2020, with the host nation lying in wait on the opening night of the tournament on June 14.
Scotland have never progressed past the group stage in 12 previous visits to major tournaments but the 69-cap left-back, who was forced off in the first half of the friendly defeat against Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, believes an ever-improving mentality can make the difference this time around.
Speaking at Hampden Park where a giant mosaic of Robertson made from Topps Euro 2024 trading cards was unveiled, he said: “We want to make history.
“We don’t fear what others have already done.
“A lot of this squad have played in a major tournament, which is a massive help. We had that experience of playing in the Euros and we know what we need to do.
“We are trying to become the most successful team Scotland has had. We have never been out the group and we would be the first team to ever do that.
“We have already created a bit of history as the first team to qualify in 20-odd years for a major tournament and that was a huge relief.
“But we don’t want to just be happy to be at the Euros, we want to compete."
Robertson is particularly looking forward to a first major tournament in front of full crowds and has backed the Tartan Army to roar Scotland to a place in the history books.
Euro 2020 was played in front of sparse crowds due to Covid-19 fuelled restrictions on numbers but this time Scotland fans will be able to attend in their droves – which their skipper believes will make all the difference.
“Obviously the last Euros was a great experience for us and we loved it, but it wasn’t quite football as we know it,” he said.
“We played games at Hampden with only 10,000 in and it felt a bit strange.
“This time, we know the Tartan Army will come over to Germany in their numbers.
"Wherever they go, are always heard, they always support us well and their backing will be crucial.
“They’ve got us over the line in certain games and if you go back to the Norway game (a 3-3 draw in November), there were 4,000-5,000 there that day. Without that backing, I don’t think we’d have got the result we did.
“We kept going and going, they pushed us that five, 10 per cent more so their backing in the summer is going to be crucial to what we do.
“But we also have to give them something to cheer. There is more expectation on us as well from the Tartan Army, they want us to compete, and they are not just happy to be there either.
“They want to be there after the group stages and it’s up to us to do that. That will definitely be our aim.”
🗣️ "Pretty surreal looking at it! She must be quite bored of looking at my face!"
Scotland captain Andy Robertson like you've never seen before as he reacts to seeing a 12m² mosaic of his face made of over 5,000 trading cards, featuring players from Euro 2024! 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/7E7z48MP7f— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 24, 2024
Robertson’s face will grace Hampden Park throughout the summer following the unveiling of the giant mosaic made up of more than 5,000 Topps UEFA EURO 2024 Match Attax cards inside the Scottish Football Museum.
“It’s amazing to see it, and a bit surreal,” Robertson said of the mosaic, which was created by renowned artist Helen Marshall. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like that made for me before.
“My brother and I always used to collect cards and sticker books as kids, we loved doing it. I have a son now who is right into his sticker books and the excitement of opening a pack never leaves you.”
Andy Robertson was speaking at the unveiling of a giant mosaic made entirely out of Topps UEFA EURO 2024 Match Attax cards. Find out more about the collection at topps.com