Andy Robertson expressed pride in celebrating his 100th cap for Scotland with a win, as the team triumphed 2-0 against North Macedonia on Saturday, marking the start of the Sebastien Pocognoli era.
After struggling with a goalless draw against Slovenia and suffering a 3-0 defeat to Switzerland, Scotland finally secured their first victory in the 2026-27 Nations League, with goals from Kieron Bowie and John McGinn in Skopje.
Bowie scored a stunning goal just seven minutes in, skillfully evading Mario Mladenovski before placing the ball in the bottom-right corner from outside the box.
McGinn extended the lead to 2-0 by converting a penalty in the 69th minute after Bojan Miovski was penalized for handball during a chaotic moment in the box, which also saw Scott McKenna – who received a red card later – hit the post with a header.
This match was memorable for Pocognoli, and it was also significant for Robertson, who became only the second player in history to earn 100 caps for Scotland, following Kenny Dalglish (102).
Dalglish’s tally of 30 international goals remains tied for the highest by any Scottish player, alongside Denis Law, but Robertson playfully mentioned he might have a shot at that record, having been actively involved in the offense despite only scoring four goals for his country.
Remarkably, Robertson recorded four shots in the first 13 minutes of play, with one exceptional save by Stole Dimitrievski preventing him from scoring.
“This means everything to me and my family,” Robertson shared with BBC Scotland post-match. “I’ve been away 100 times, and I feel for my wife! It’s been an incredible journey. I remember my debut, and the process since has been significant.
“It’s emotional for me. I love my country, and being only the second person to achieve this in the men’s game is a special milestone.”
“It’s a special night for me and everyone connected to me.”
Go behind the scenes in the Scotland camp as Andy Robertson was presented with his 100th cap ahead of kick-off in Skopje.#MKDSCO pic.twitter.com/8dkv2mQqij
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 3, 2026
“I initially thought Kenny Dalglish might get anxious about his scoring record since I had about six shots in the first few minutes!”
“It was a lovely presentation, but I made it clear I wanted the win. The team performed brilliantly, and this victory will mean a lot for my family and me.”
McGinn remarked that Scotland must remain focused ahead of their next match against Slovenia, commending Pocognoli for establishing a new team identity. “The key tonight was securing the win and keeping a clean sheet,” he said. “When results don’t go your way, scrutiny follows, both personally and for the team, which is an element of football. We earned the praise we’re getting tonight. It wasn’t an easy match, but we managed it well. The manager has introduced many fresh ideas, and it’s crucial for us to fully embrace them and showcase our talents on the field. Tuesday’s match will be tough, but it’s vital we follow this up with another victory.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it underscores the importance of player milestones and national pride in the sport. Robertson’s achievement not only highlights individual talent but also symbolizes the ongoing evolution of the Scotland team, which could kickstart a resurgence in their international competitiveness.
Source: www.soccernews.com
