Andy Robertson was taken off in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying win over Moldova on Saturday, with manager Steve Clarke concerned over his recent injury problem after seeing the defender ‘struggling’.
The Liverpool left-back suffered ankle ligament damage during pre-season in early August against Athletic Bilbao and missed the Premier League opening day win at Norwich as well as victory over Burnley.
Fortunately Robertson didn’t require surgery and returned for last week’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, playing 86 minutes of the game before being replaced by deputy Kostas Tsimikas.
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The 27-year-old has continued his comeback with his national team, playing the entire 90 minutes as Scotland lost 2-0 to Denmark on Wednesday evening.
However, playing his third game in seven days on Saturday with the Scots hosting Moldova as they battle to book a place at the Qatar World Cup next year, coach Clarke felt the need to ‘protect’ Robertson and replaced him with 16 minutes to go.
Praising Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson, the manager revealed he would have taken the young Rangers defender off but for concern over the Liverpool full-back who tired as the game went on as he continues to build up fitness after his brief spell on the sidelines.
“If I had the chance to make six subs I would have probably taken Nathan off a little bit early as well but Andy Robertson was struggling a little bit on the left so I thought I'd protect him a little bit,” Clarke told Sky Sports.
"It's just a consequence of the fact he (Robertson) has been out injured. He played the full game on Wednesday and the plan was always to get him off tonight at some stage."
After the planned substitution, Clarke will hope he can call upon the defender this Tuesday as Scotland travel to face Austria in the next World Cup qualifier.
Liverpool fans will be eager to see Robertson return to Merseyside fit ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Elland Road to face Leeds before the Reds host AC Milan in the first Champions League group match of the campaign.
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