Andy Robertson became only the second Scotland player to reach 100 international caps during Saturday’s Nations League match against North Macedonia. The Liverpool defender’s appearance brought him level with the legendary Kenny Dalglish’s record of 102 caps, a milestone set more than 150 years into Scotland’s football history.
Robertson’s journey with the national team began in March 2014 under then-manager Gordon Strachan, who handed the left-back his debut against Poland. Since then, Robertson has been a constant figure for Scotland, embodying a generation of players who have lifted the team to three major tournament finals. He has captained the side more than any other player since Alex McLeish appointed him skipper in 2018, leading Scotland at the recent World Cup and two European Championships.
Dalglish remains the leading appearance holder with 102 caps, but Robertson is closing in fast. “He always says ‘you’ve got millions more games; Nations League, what’s that? They didn’t have that in my day!’” Robertson joked on the Stick to Football podcast. Despite the friendly rivalry, Dalglish’s record goals tally of 30, shared with Denis Law, remains out of Robertson’s reach, who has scored four times for Scotland.
Robertson’s leadership has drawn praise from across the squad. Scott McTominay, Scotland and Napoli midfielder, described him as “such a great captain” who balances being a senior figure with pushing teammates to improve. “He’s brilliant with that, brilliant,” McTominay said.
Over his 12 years in the national team, Robertson has played under four permanent managers, with Steve Clarke’s seven-year tenure being the most significant. Clarke led Scotland to three major tournaments and worked closely with Robertson, who captained the side 68 times under him. Clarke described him as “a fantastic captain” who “leads the group like the leader he is.”
Robertson’s contributions extend beyond leadership. He tops the Scotland assist charts since his debut, known for his energetic runs and precise crosses from left-back. His goals, though few, have been important. He scored in the opening victory under Clarke in 2019 against Cyprus and netted a last-minute winner against Poland in 2024 that temporarily kept Scotland in the Nations League.
His 100 caps include a blend of friendlies, qualifiers, and nine appearances at major tournaments, though Scotland has recorded just one win in those finals—a World Cup victory over Haiti in Boston earlier this year.
Remarkably consistent, Robertson has started 98 of his 100 matches, rarely substituted and has not missed a national team camp in three years. Now 32 and still playing at the Premier League level, the question remains how far he will extend his record.
Scotland’s next Nations League fixtures will offer Robertson the chance to surpass Dalglish’s record, potentially making him the most capped player in the country’s history by the end of the year.
According to BBC Sports.
