Andy Robertson delivered an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota moments after Scotland's historic World Cup qualification. The Liverpool defender revealed he had been discussing the tournament with the late Portuguese forward after they both missed out on featuring in Qatar in 2022.
Scotland clinched a dramatic 4-2 triumph over Denmark to secure their first World Cup berth since 1998. Stoppage-time strikes from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean sealed a remarkable comeback victory that saw Scotland top their qualifying group ahead of their rivals on Tuesday evening.
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The Scots had taken the lead on two occasions earlier in the contest through a sensational Scott McTominay overhead kick and Lawrence Shankland's tap-in from a corner, with Robertson experiencing a nervy period between those goals. VAR stepped in to award Denmark a spot-kick after the Liverpool full-back fouled Gustav Isaksen, allowing the visitors to draw level.
However, Robertson was able to rejoice at the final whistle as Hampden Park erupted in celebration. Following a day where Jota had been weighing heavily on Robertson's mind, the Liverpool icon came flooding back to mind.
Jota tragically died during the summer at just 28 years of age, with Robertson, his loved ones and the football community left devastated after a motor vehicle accident. "I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits. I know the age I'm at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup," Robertson admitted after the match.
"I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup. He missed out on Qatar because of injury, and I missed out because Scotland weren't in it. I know he will be somewhere smiling over me tonight.
"I couldn't get him out of my head the whole day. I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I think I hid it well from the boys and I'm so glad it ended up this way." On Scotland's achievement, he added: "This group of boys, this group of staff - it's the finest group I've been involved in. The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable.
"He went through the big moments we've had. Qualifying for the Euros - he couldn't quite remember - we were in Wunderbar. He said 'let's make it another one'.We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it'll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life."