Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson named new Scotland captain ahead of Belgium and Albania games

The captaincy has been rotated since Scott Brown’s international retirement last year but manager Alex McLeish has opted to hand Robertson the permanent role

Andrew Robertson has been named the new Scotland captain ahead of their Nations League bow.

The Liverpool left-back has impressed since moving to Anfield from Hull City in the summer of 2017 for £8m, playing a key part in the club’s run to the Champions League final.

Robertson has played every minute of Liverpool’s opening four Premier League games this season, recording four assists in four victories, and the 24-year-old will now lead his country in Friday’s friendly against Belgium before they take on Albania in Group C1 of Uefa’s new tournament.

The captaincy has been rotated since Scott Brown’s international retirement last year, having been worn by West Brom’s James Morrison, Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, Blackburn’s Charlie Mulgrew and Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna, but manager Alex McLeish has opted to hand Robertson the permanent role.

Robertson made his Scotland debut in a 1-0 win over Poland in 2014 and has scored two goals in 22 appearances.

Andrew Robertson in training for Scotland this week (Reuters)

“He was the obvious choice,” said Scotland coach and former forward James McFadden. ”We have worked with him and the way he was about the camp in March for the first two friendlies was excellent, his desire to play for Scotland unquestionable and the fact is that he has done it the hard way.

“From where he has come from to get to here now is incredible. For young kids that are playing football, indeed in any walk of life, if you have a setback it is not the end. And he certainly is playing at a ridiculous level for his club and the games he has played for us he has been outstanding, he was the outstanding candidate and I am delighted for him. I think he deserves it.

“He is a humble guy, you would never know that he plays for Liverpool, top of the league, been in the Champions League final and he is forward with his opinions and that’s what you need. He is a leader.”