Andy Robertson fights tears as he pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Scotland qualify for World Cup

Liverpool star Andy Robertson’s attention turned to Diogo Jota as he celebrated Scotland’s World Cup qualification on Tuesday night and he was forced to fight back tears

Andy Robertson paid a tearful tribute to Diogo Jota immediately following Scotland’s historic World Cup qualification. The Liverpool star revealed that he used to discuss the competition with the late Portuguese star.

Scotland secured a 4-2 victory over Denmark to earn a World Cup spot for the first time since 1998. Stoppage-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean saw a late victory that meant Scotland won their qualifying group over their opponents on Tuesday night.

The nation led twice earlier in the game through Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland, with Robertson enduring an uncertain moment between those goals. VAR intervened to see the Liverpool ace give away a penalty that put Denmark back on level terms.

But Robertson was able to celebrate come the final whistle as Hampden Park was sent into ecstasy. And after a day where Jota played on Robertson’s mind, the late Liverpool superstar returned to the forefront.

Jota tragically passed away in the summer, aged 28, with Robertson, his family and the footballing world left to mourn following a car crash.

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“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits. I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup,” Robertson said following the match.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup.

“He missed out on Qatar because of injury, and I missed out because Scotland weren’t in it. I know he will be somewhere smiling over me tonight.

“I couldn’t get him out of my head the whole day. I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I think I hid it well from the boys and I’m so glad it ended up this way.”

Robertson also reflected on Scotland’s achievement.

“This group of boys, this group of staff – it’s the best group I’ve been involved in,” he said. “The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable.

“He went through the big moments we’ve had. Qualifying for the Euros – he couldn’t quite remember – we were in Wunderbar. He said ‘let’s make it another one’.

“We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it’ll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.”

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