ROY KEANE'S PERSONAL PROBLEM WITH ANDY ROBERTSON EMERGES AFTER HE FUMES AT SCOTLAND CAPTAIN

Roy Keane suggested Andy Robertson lacks controlled aggression in his game after taking issue with the Scotland captain's comments following the 5-1 defeat to Germany - and it isn't the first time the pundit has taken aim at the Liverpool star he's called a "big baby" in the past.

Robertson's side were thrashed 5-1 on Euro 2024's opening night in Munich, with strikes from Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can securing a dominant win for the hosts. Scotland, who grabbed a consolation through an Antonio Rudiger own goal, had a night to forget as defender Ryan Porteous was sent off for the lunge on Ilkay Gundogan which led to a penalty scored by Havertz, and Robertson was left to explain his side's limp display.

"First half, we just got it all wrong really, didn't show up, weren't aggressive enough, and we let good players get on the ball," the left-back told ITV Sport. "Second half, we're down to 10 men and I thought lads dug in really well. We’re so well backed over here, today was hugely disappointing. We have to bounce back quickly because there was lots wrong here and it’s a quick turnaround now. Maybe it's a reminder of how tough this tournament is.

"Their big players showed up and were excellent all over the park and had an answer for pretty much everything we had. I don't think we’ve played to our maximum. We have to dust ourselves down and go again." ITV pundit Keane had little sympathy for the skipper's verdict though, and wasn't happy with the way he described the game.

"Andy Robertson spoke at the end of the game and said they had a 'game plan'," he said. "It's all well and good having a plan, he said then 'We weren't aggressive enough'. You have to be aggressive in a game of football. Being up against opposition who are much stronger than you, being aggressive is part of a footballer.

"I love watching skilful players, absolutely love it and the talent we saw from the German players tonight was great to watch. But my goodness, when you are playing football at this level, you've got to hit people. Hit them properly, hit them aggressively and do it in the right way.

"If you step off against them like Scotland did tonight... and it's no good talking after the game saying 'We had a game plan'... it's rubbish! Andy Robertson, it's all just rubbish coming out. You knew before the game what was at stake and after the game it's no good going, 'We'll regroup and we'll be angry tomorrow.'

"No, you should be angry for a long time. We spoke before the game about creating history. They are creating history all right... by playing as bad as that and letting their manager and supporters down. The tackle for the penalty and sending off wasn't aggressive that was madness, of course. Being aggressive is part of the game but they didn't lay a glove on them."

Keane's ire may well have been directed at the whole Scotland team rather than Robertson himself, but it isn't the first time he's pointed the finger at the Liverpool defender.

In April last year Robertson was on the end of an extraordinary incident when the Reds faced Arsenal at Anfield, as he was caught in the throat by an elbow from assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis as he protested over a decision just before the players left the field for half-time.

A stunned Robertson and his Liverpool team-mates surrounded referee Paul Tierney after the incident, and when Sky Sports' coverage of the match resumed for half-time analysis presenter Dave Jones got Keane's reaction to the moment. Jones said: "At half-time, this is what we saw. official Constantine Hatzidakis clashing here with Andy Robertson, who is claiming he's been elbowed in the throat. Have you ever seen anything like it Roy?"

The Irishman replied: "No, not really. But Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I'm not sure, but he's complaining. He should be more worried about his defending. "Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I've watched him a number of times. He's a big baby. That's what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first." Hatzidakis later accepted responsibility for the incident and apologised to Liverpool and Robertson, with an FA investigation leading to no further action being taken.

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2024-06-15T06:39:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd