Andy Robertson Could Break Kenny Dalglish’s Scotland Record – But It Also Opens An Old Celtic-Scotland Wound

Andy Robertson is now sitting on 99 Scotland caps, just three away from Kenny Dalglish’s record of 102. The Tottenham defender has already broken the record for Scotland appearances as captain, and he is now closing in on the all-time appearance record for the national team.

But there is something much more interesting about this story for Celtic supporters.

Because whenever we talk about Dalglish and Scotland, we shouldn’t forget the complicated relationship that has existed between Celtic players and the national team.

Dalglish won 102 caps, scored 30 goals and represented Scotland at three World Cups.

Yet during his Celtic years, there was a feeling among sections of the Celtic support that their players did not always receive the same treatment from the Scotland set-up or the Hampden crowd.

The most extraordinary example came in 1976.

Dalglish had played 33 consecutive Scotland matches. He was a hugely established international and was closing in on the Scottish record for consecutive appearances, held by Sevco player George Young.

Then, against Wales at Hampden, Dalglish was left on the bench.

He didn’t even come on.

There was no obvious footballing explanation, and the decision has subsequently fuelled a long-running suspicion that preserving Young’s record played a part.

It remains a rumour rather than an established fact, but it became part of the wider Celtic-supporter perception of how their players were treated by Scotland.

And Dalglish wasn’t the only Celtic player to experience hostility.

Danny McGrain was booed by sections of the Scotland support at Hampden, with some supporters demanding Sevco players replace him. He was also pushed out to left-back to accommodate Sandy Jardine.

You could argue that even nowadays there is a recurring theme surrounding how Celtic players are treated internationally.

There can sometimes be a strange disconnect between Celtic’s contribution to Scottish football and the way Celtic supporters feel their club and players are perceived within the wider Scottish football establishment.

Which brings us back to Robertson.

Here is a player who was released by Celtic as a teenager, went through Queen’s Park and Dundee United, and ultimately became Scotland captain and one of the most decorated Scottish players of his generation.

And now he is potentially just three appearances away from taking the record from Kenny Dalglish.

Scottish football needs to stop allowing club rivalries, historical grudges and Hampden politics to get in the way of recognising the players who deserve to represent their country.

Dalglish’s record should be celebrated.

Robertson’s potential achievement should be celebrated.

And when the next Celtic youngster breaks through, earns his Scotland shirt and walks out at Hampden, he should be judged on one thing:

whether he’s good enough to play for Scotland.

Not which shirt he wears on a Saturday.

Because if Robertson does eventually break Dalglish’s record, two Celtic-connected players will have written themselves into the history of the Scotland national team.

And perhaps that is the biggest reminder of all.

Celtic and Scotland have always been intertwined – whether some people at Hampden have liked it or not.