Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has warned that he is ready to tussle with Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney for a starting spot in the Scotland side if manager Gordon Strachan decides that only one of them can start for their country.
The pair have recently been on the teamsheet together, with Robertson playing at left-back and Hoops defender Tierney shifted over to right-back, but seeing as the left hand side of defence is Tierney’s favoured position, Robertson could face a fight for his place.
Tierney starts week in, week out for Celtic and is certainly one of their key players, whilst Robertson is still waiting for his chance to start regularly under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Speaking about the competition for places in his national team, Robertson told BBC Scotland (via Evening Times):
I don’t know if the gaffer had an open mind to trying us both
KT [Tierney] would prefer to play left-back, it’s his natural position, but since he’s gone over there [right-back] he’s been different class
Scotland are just one point behind second-placed Slovakia in World Cup qualifying Group F, but also face competition from Slovenia to qualify for next summer’s tournament, with just two games remaining.
Robertson continued:
It’s been working out quite well, but there might come a time when both of us need to compete for the left-back spot. If we do that, we’ll be ready to compete.
Just now, it’s working quite well that we’re on both flanks and causing trouble down both sides. It’s up to the manager if that continues, but we’re happy with it
Scotland face Slovakia at Hampden Park in a crunch match on Thursday night before an away trip to Malta, where nothing but three points will be acceptable for Gordon Strachan’s side.
