Andy Robertson: Scotland's years in 'football wilderness' have helped inspire Euro 2024 spirit

Scotland Euro 2024 squad Scotland's Andy Robertson looks dejected during an international friendly match between the Netherlands and Scotland at the Johan Cruyff Arena, on March 22, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson insists nobody in the national team setup is getting ahead of themselves as they aim to get out of the group stage of a major tournament for the first time in the country’s history.

Robertson has been a key player for Scotland under Steve Clarke, who has guided the side to three successive summer tournaments after 23 years of falling short in qualifying.

That means that the overwhelming majority of the Scotland side will be too young to really remember their country's appearances at Euro 96 or the 1998 World Cup: 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the only member of their most recent squad who was any more than six years old for the latter tournament.

Scotland Euro 2024 squad Scott McTominay of Scotland, Lawrence Shankland of Scotland, Jack Hendry of Scotland, Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Ryan Porteous of Scotland, John McGinn of Scotland. Front row (l-r) Billy Gilmour of Scotland, Nathan Patterson of Scotland, Andrew Robertson of Scotland, Kieran Tierney of Scotland, Ryan Christie of Scotland during the friendly Interland match between the Netherlands and Scotland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on March 22, 2024 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ANP MAURICE VAN STEEN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

Scotland line-up ahead of facing Northern Ireland (Image credit: Getty Images)

As such, Robertson and co have grown up without any real expectations for their country – something the full-back feels is now actually standing them in good stead.

The Liverpool man explained in our new Euro 2024 preview edition of FourFourTwo magazine: “After so long in international football’s wilderness, no one can take back-to-back qualifications for granted.

“We’ve got no egos. No one thinks they’re bigger than the cause. No one is any more important than the guy next to them, whether it’s a regular starter or the third-choice goalkeeper. We all have the same goal.

“It sounds simple, but the closeness of the group is why we’ve been relatively successful. We’ve grown up together and it has been the same core of players from camp to camp. The same goes for the backroom staff. It’s hard to create that environment, but if you can get it right then you’re halfway there.

“The manager has been so good from the minute he came in. Maybe it wasn’t obvious to begin with, from the outside looking in, because there wasn’t that instant upturn in results. But we knew, internally, that real progress was being made.

Scotland Euro 2024 squad Scott McTominay of Scotland in action during the international friendly match between Scotland and Northern Ireland at Hampden Park on March 26, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

McTominay shone in Euro 2024 qualifying (Image credit: Getty Images)

“That confidence within the group was growing and we knew it was a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ it clicked. We haven’t looked back since.

“The team has evolved, and he has been the driving force behind that. He is constantly trying to spot little things that can improve us. He also listens to the players when the time is right, which says a lot for him given his experience and standing in the game. He wants to know what we think we can do better and he takes it on board.

“Qualifying for two European Championships is great and I hope that’s not the end of it. I feel there’s more we can achieve if we keep doing the right things.”

More Euro 2024 stories

Dates, fixtures, stadiums, tickets and everything you need to know

Euro 2024 kits: 
Every home and away shirt announced or rumoured so far

Euro 2024 Golden Boot: 
8 potential contenders to watch out for in Germany

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

Read more
Andy Robertson celebrates with John McGinn after scoring Scotland's winning goal in stoppage time against Poland in the Nations League in Warsaw, November 2024
Three things to keep an eye on as Scotland look to avoid Nations League relegation in Greece play-off
Scotland captain Andy Robertson looks on during the Euro 2024 match against Switzerland in Cologne, Germany
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland finally learn their World Cup 2026 qualifying opponents
UEFA European Championship trophy
Revealed: Scotland's relegation does NOT put them in danger of not qualifying for Euro 2028
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 18, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England Journalist and Media pundit, Henry Winter looks on from the press box during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
'Where’s the "one of our own" that’s remotely good enough? The FA needed to be pragmatic, not patriotic.' Writing exclusively for FourFourTwo Henry Winter reminds England fans why they have good reason to be smiling
Nations League
UEFA Nations League 2024/25: Format, fixtures, results, groups and everything you need to know
Scotland defender Alan Hansen pictured in 1979
The best Scottish defenders ever
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report