Scotland Aiming for Perfection in Tough Euro 2024 Qualifying Group, Says Andy Robertson
Captain Andy Robertson believes Scotland must strive for perfection as they gear up to progress automatically from the strongest Euro 2024 qualifying group. Scotland starts its campaign at home against Cyprus on Saturday, knowing it has a play-off for next year’s finals in Germany, based on its Nation’s League performance last year. However, after last year’s World Cup play-off disappointment, Robertson is determined to ensure Scotland finishes in the top two in a group that also includes past winners Spain, Norway, and Georgia.
According to the Liverpool left-back, this is the toughest group in the whole Euro qualifiers. He also emphasized that as second seeds, Scotland hasn’t got the benefit, and has to face the toughest pot 3 and pot 4 teams, with Cyprus, from pot 5. While Scotland had two narrow 2-1 victories over Cyprus in their last Euro qualifying campaign, Robertson insists they are not treating their visitors lightly. Technically, Cyprus is the bottom seeds, but Scotland takes the challenge seriously.
The Scottish squad, hungry to represent the country at more tournaments, believes it has a chance to qualify automatically. Scotland has a guaranteed play-off through its Nations League, and it has to use that advantage by going into this campaign with no fear. However, Robertson emphasized that they shouldn’t rely on the play-offs, as they can go either way. Robertson stressed that to qualify, they have to be perfect and strive towards it. Scotland’s opening qualifier has been boosted by the news that manager Steve Clarke has extended his contract to the end of the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Scotland has moved its training base from Oriam in Edinburgh to Queen’s Park’s newly-refurbished Lesser Hampden headquarters, bringing back memories for Robertson of good times he had while he began his professional career. Queen’s Park is a club moving in the right direction, he added, and they will be in the Premiership soon enough.
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