WORLD Cup qualification isn’t life or death.
Andy Robertson is sensible enough to have known that long before now.
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But the tragic loss of his close friend and Liverpool team-mate Jota this summer didn’t half put football into perspective.
The Scotland skipper will roll his sleeves up and give everything he’s got for the Tartan Army against Denmark in Copenhagen, like he’s always done though his international career.
But there’s a huge part of his thinking that’s changed after the gut-wrenching death of his pal.
Robertson said: “It was the most difficult thing we’ll ever go through.
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“It was such a surprise, such a shock.
“It was devastating for his family, first and foremost, but also devastating for us as a group of lads.
“Football, I don’t think anyone could care less about football.
“When things like that happen it puts life into perspective as to what’s important, like spending time with your family and spending time with your kids because you never know what’s around the corner.
“Like I say, it’s the toughest thing we’ll ever go through. Losing one of my closest mates, for me, was hugely difficult.
“It’s something we’ll probably never get over but it’s something we have to carry with us.
“We’ll carry the memories we have from our time with him. And as long as we continue to do that, he’ll always be in our thoughts and he’ll always be in our hearts.
“That’s all we can do.”
Robertson actually spent part of his summer asking himself if it was time for him to move on from Liverpool.
But the loss of Jota only underlined that he was at the right place.
Robbo added: “The decision was already made before the tragedy, but I knew in that moment that the club needed me.
“I know I am one of the leaders in the team and I have obviously been made vice-captain now.
“It’s going to take a lot this season.
“I know football was irrelevant but if you take the football out of it even as lads in the changing room we are all going to need help during the season.
“We’ve already had difficult moments in terms of the first time in front of fans, having to your team-mate’s funeral – which is absolutely madness to even say – and everything else that followed after it.
“I know the leaders in that changing room have got a big job to do this season in terms of trying to help everyone as a club and even Diogo’s family through this massively difficult moment.
“It won’t get easier but maybe we can numb the pain a little bit as time goes on. It’s up to us leaders to try and guide us through that.”
Robertson is honest enough to admit he did think about his future, though.
Boss Arne Slot made it clear he wasn’t going to be a certain first pick every week, but the left-back just opted to get his head down and be there when needed.
He added: “It was the first summer ever that I’ve probably had to think about my future.
“It’s always been nailed on where I’m going to be and what my position looks like. For the first time I had to consider different things.
“I did that with my family and ultimately we came to the conclusion that our hearts were still at Liverpool.
“And it was a decision to stay.
“We committed to that and it’s a decision I don’t regret. I’m happy about it and in the close season I’ve probably worked harder than I’ve ever worked.
“I’ve come back in really good shape and have felt strong.
“I think I have showed that in training and in games. The start of the season is always a bit difficult with only one game week-to-week. We’ve got off to a really good start with three wins out of three so from the manager’s perspective there’s not much reason to change anyone’s position.
“When we get back, we have pretty much three games every week from the Sunday we get back to the next International break.
“I’ve sure there will be a bit more rotation but whether that happens in my position remains to be seen. None of us can look into the future but I believe I have done everything I can to be in the manager’s thoughts.
“And that’s all I can do.
“Look, it hasn’t been awkward, that’s not the word I’d use. It’s been difficult for different reasons.
“I’m used to playing pretty much every game.
“I’ve had eight years at Liverpool where – apart from at the beginning – I’ve always been a starter.
“I’ve always played. Obviously in the first few games this season I’ve found myself on the bench.
“But I had time to think over the summer about what I wanted. I made a decision and I still believe if I keep doing what I’m doing I’ll play a lot of games for club and country.
“That’s my main focus this season. When called upon to produce as well as I can for Liverpool and Scotland.
“Hopefully in the summer I’ll be heading to a World Cup with a couple more trophies in my back pocket.”
Robbo is convinced Scotland can qualify for next summer’s major competition, adding: “Denmark over the last good few years have shown how to consistently be a pot one team by qualifying for every tournament and then competing in every tournament as well.
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“They have had a fantastic run at it and they are a really good nation and team to look at.
“It’s going to be difficult but we also believe on our day that we can be difficult to play against. We have shown that in the last few years.”
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