Scotland captain Andy Robertson has admitted being named in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad remains a “huge pinch yourself moment” as the nation prepares for its first appearance at football’s biggest tournament in nearly three decades.
The Tartan Army waved off Clarke’s 26-man squad at Glasgow Airport as Scotland departed for the United States, where they will compete in their first World Cup since France 1998.
Before the tournament begins, Scotland will face Bolivia in New Jersey in their final warm-up fixture before heading to their training base in North Carolina.
Robertson is expected to captain Scotland in Group Stage matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, but the Liverpool defender says he is deliberately staying focused on the present rather than getting carried away by the occasion.
“Me actually walking out on the pitch the first game? I’ve not allowed my brain to go there yet,” said Robertson.
“I just don’t like getting too far ahead. I think I’ll then live in that moment when I know it’s the night before and I know it’s the day of the game.
“That’s the way I’ve always worked, I never look too far ahead.”
Despite being one of Scotland’s most experienced players and a guaranteed selection when fit, Robertson revealed that receiving official confirmation of his place in the squad still carried immense emotional significance.
“I was pretty confident I’d be in the squad, but for me it’s still a huge moment, it’s still a huge pinch yourself moment that you’ve been called up to a World Cup squad for Scotland.”
The 32-year-old defender has been a central figure in Scotland’s revival under Clarke and is now set to experience a tournament he barely remembers from childhood.
Robertson was only four years old when Scotland last appeared at a World Cup, highlighting the scale of the achievement for the current generation.
The left-back also reflected on sharing the moment with teammates he grew up playing football alongside.
“We’ve got a smaller group in the group chat in terms of the lads that are my best friends, and I actually put a message in when the squad got announced.
“I was just like ‘who would have thought we would all be going to the World Cup together when we’re all playing as little kids and chasing after each other as 11 and 12 year olds?’
“And it was a real moment of sense of achievement because it’s not easy to get to a World Cup.”
Scotland have often fallen short in qualification campaigns over the years, but Robertson believes the squad understands the significance of finally reaching the global stage.
“I think we’ve proven that with how long it’s took us to get there – since 1998 – but the fact that you’re one of 26 going to represent your country in the biggest stage, it’s a real proud moment.”
The Liverpool star also highlighted the bond within Clarke’s squad, forged through years of highs and lows in international football.
“We’ve had some dark times, we’ve had some dark moments.
“In a Scotland jersey, the lows are the lowest that you’ll have and the highs are the highest you’ll ever have with your country because you know you’re representing a nation, and that’s the thing.
“But I think that’s why our squad is so close and such a good group of lads because if you look at everyone’s story, all of them are pretty similar.”
Scotland begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti in Boston on June 14 before facing Morocco at the Gillette Stadium.
Their Group Stage journey concludes with a blockbuster clash against Brazil in Miami as Clarke’s side look to create history and progress beyond the opening round.
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