It was a memorable night for Liverpool’s Scottish contingent as Andy Robertson scored a last-minute winner to earn his country a crucial win over Poland in the Nations League – while Ben Doak notched an assist.
Having entered the third minute of added time in Warsaw, it appeared that the Tartan Army would have to settle for a share of the points in Group A. Steve Clarke’s side took the lead within the first three minutes as Aston Villa’s John McGinn was set up by Reds youngster Doak from the right flank.
However, the visitors were pegged back as Kamil Piatkowski scored the equalizer for the hosts just before the hour mark. However, with the game heading for a stalemate, Anfield ace Robertson had other ideas as a headed home a cross from John Souttar to spark rapturous celebrations in the away end and earn a 2-1 win.
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Peeling away after giving his nation the lead late on in proceedings, the left-back’s joy was written all over his face as he grabbed his first international goal in five years. The Scottish players then joined the coaching staff in a huddle on the side of the field as they were spared from automatic relegation.
That memorable strike from the Liverpool stalwart inspired plaudits from figures including former Scotland defender Willie Miller on Sportsound (BBC), who said: “Towards the end the game there was only one team wanting to win it. What a header it was from Andy Robertson. You don’t expect that! Just sensational.”
Meanwhile, ex-Everton forward James McFadden said: “We don’t have strikers who will score every game, but we have a manager who will find a way to get the best out of players. He’s built a really strong squad and we can look forward to World Cup qualifying now regardless of our group.”
Likewise, ex-Scotland international John Collins added of the performance: “John Souttar looks like an international centre-back now. And Ben Doak has given us pace, power and penetration. Clarke’s change of system has brought more freedom. The players look more comfortable in possession and they have more options in front of them.”
Reacting to the last-ditch headed goal from Robertson, one fan said on X: What a performance, amazing cross, great header. In Clarke we trust, as a second said: “This is extra special because Andy scored his first international goal exactly 10 years ago today against England.”
Meanwhile, a third jubilant Scotland and Liverpool supporter said: “As a Liverpool fan I feel very amazing and good because of Robertson,” while a fourth said of the assist from Souttar: “If Trent (Alexander-Arnold) made that cross you’d never hear the end of it. What a ball.”
The result lifted Scotland off the bottom of the Group A table and above their opponents to put them third in the standings. Back-to-back wins against Croatia and Poland in November came after the Tartan Army went on a barren run of a single win from 16 outings.
