Andy Robertson was anticipated to be named in Scotland’s World Cup squad, however he admitted it was a “huge pinch yourself moment”when he was confirmed as one in all Steve Clarke’s 26-man occasion.
The squad have flown to america to participate in soccer’s greatest match for the primary time since 1998, waved off by the Tartan Military at Glasgow Airport.
Scotland face Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday of their closing warm-up match earlier than shifting to their coaching base in North Carolina.
Robertson is ready to guide Scotland out for his or her opening World Cup match in opposition to Haiti in Boston on June 14 (2am, UK time), the conflict with Morocco – additionally on the Gillette Stadium – and their closing group match versus Brazil in Miami.
“Me actually walking out on the pitch the first game? I’ve not allowed my brain to go there yet,” the defender instructed Sky Sports activities Information.
“I simply don’t love getting too far forward. I feel I am going to then dwell in that second once I know it is the evening earlier than and I do know it is the day of the sport.
“That is the best way I’ve all the time labored, I by no means look too far forward.
“I was pretty confident I’d be in the squad, but for me it’s still a huge moment, it’s still a huge pinch yourself moment that you’ve been called up to a World Cup squad for Scotland.”
Robertson, who’s Scotland’s second-most-capped participant behind Sir Kenny Dalglish, was simply 4 when Scotland final performed at a World Cup.
“We’ve got a smaller group in the group chat in terms of the lads that are my best friends, and I actually put a message in when the squad got announced,” the 32-year-old added.
“I was just like ‘who would have thought we would all be going to the World Cup together when we’re all playing as little kids and chasing after each other as 11 and 12 year olds?’ And it was a real moment of sense of achievement because it’s not easy to get to a World Cup.
“I feel we have confirmed that with how lengthy it is took us to get there – since 1998 – however the truth that you are one in all 26 going to characterize your nation within the greatest stage, it is an actual proud second.
Craig Gordon, 43, is the oldest member of the Scotland squad
“We’ve had some dark times, we’ve had some dark moments.
“In a Scotland jersey, the lows are the bottom that you will have and the highs are the very best you may ever have along with your nation as a result of you realize you are representing a nation, and that is the factor. However I feel that is why our squad is so shut and such a very good group of lads as a result of when you take a look at everybody’s story, all of them are fairly comparable.”
Scotland’s World Cup squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (TBC), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Rangers), Ross Stewart (Southampton).
