Andy Robertson: Scotland captain optimistic about World Cup qualifiers however admits outcomes ‘have not been as much as scratch’ | Soccer Information

Andy Robertson stays optimistic about Scotland’s hopes of World Cup qualification regardless of admitting current outcomes haven’t been “as much as scratch”.

The nationwide facet slumped to a 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park earlier than a 4-0 win towards Liechtenstein, a staff ranked 205th on the planet.

Scotland have received simply 4 of their final 16 video games and at residence the report stands at one victory in 9.

Subsequent up are Denmark and Belarus away in early September earlier than Greece on the Nationwide Stadium on October 9 as Steve Clarke’s squad bid to turn out to be the primary Scotland males’s facet to succeed in the World Cup since 1998.

Robertson, who has captained the facet at two European Championships, believes they’ll make it to subsequent summer season’s event.

“I am nonetheless optimistic, I am nonetheless wanting ahead to the longer term,” he instructed Sky Sports activities Information at his AR26 golf day.

“We all know possibly the final yr and stuff hasn’t been as much as scratch however I nonetheless consider within the squad that we have got. I do consider that we will trigger any staff issues so long as we get again to the fundamentals that we’re good at.

“We all know how laborious it’s to qualify for a World Cup.

“The final time we tried it, we had a reasonably good marketing campaign, solely ending a few factors behind Denmark. We then go into the play-offs and we all know how laborious the video games within the play-offs are.

“But when we get again to doing what we’re good at, again to our fundamentals, again to our fundamental rules, then I do consider we may give anybody a recreation.

“I believe we have proven that on the highest stage. We have drawn towards Portugal, crushed Croatia, beat Spain.

“I do know that feels a very long time in the past, however we’ve competed towards groups once we try this proper and that is what we will have to do for all six video games to present ourselves an opportunity.”

Whereas Cieran Slicker took a lot of the blame for the Iceland defeat – a younger goalkeeper thrown in because of an early harm to Angus Gunn – it was a disappointing show from most of the Scots.

Towards Liechtenstein there have been 5 worldwide debuts, strikers scored the objectives following a prolonged drought and teenager Lennon Miller impressed on his first begin.

Robertson accepts the Iceland efficiency was removed from the extent required.

“Friday was an enormous disappointment,” he added.

“A recreation that we tried to enter to construct momentum, go into World Cup qualifiers, and it most likely did the exact opposite.

“We’re grateful that it wasn’t in a qualifier.

“If you are going to put in a efficiency like that and you are going to make the errors that we made, then we’re higher off doing it in a pleasant than a aggressive match.

“That is the one optimistic I believe we might have taken from Friday. However sure, we won’t afford that.”

Scotland’s upcoming fixtures

• September 5: Denmark (A) – World Cup qualifier
• September 8: Belarus (A) – World Cup qualifier
• October 9: Greece (H) – World Cup qualifier
• October 12: Belarus (H) – World Cup qualifier
• November 15: Greece (A) – World Cup qualifier
• November 18: Denmark (H) – World Cup qualifier

*AR26 Charity consider they’ll present all younger individuals with the chance for an equal begin in life. Additionally try to place a smile on faces of kids and their households who face essential well being struggles or adversarial circumstances. Alongside this steady work, the long-term goal is for AR26 to supply free soccer teaching for youngsters throughout Scotland in a soccer for all challenge – giving kids an thrilling perception into soccer, a spotlight, a protected house and the prospect to be part of a group.