Andy Robertson wasn’t born when Sir Kenny Dalglish stepped down after his first managerial spell at Liverpool in 1991.
But when he joined the Reds in 2017, he was all too aware of the legacy of some great Scots who had trodden the same path before him.
Talking to Kelly Cates and Dalglish – her father – in a BBC interview, Robertson recalled those conversations after moving to Anfield.
“When I first signed, all the names were thrown at me,” he told Cates. “Your dad, Alan Hansen and [Graeme] Souness…
“I know the Liverpool fans do love a Scottish player in their team. And I know usually if there’s a Scottish player, it brings a bit of success as well.”
The connection between Liverpool and Scotland has run deep since the days of legendary former manager Bill Shankly, and there is perhaps no living figure more beloved on the Kop than Dalglish.
In an initial 14-year stint as captain then player-manager, Dalglish scored 172 goals and helped deliver 18 major trophies, including eight league titles and three European Cups.
More than 30 years on, Robertson – set to play his final match at Anfield on Sunday – will depart as the latest in a line of men from north of the border to have left an indelible impact.
The defender arrived on Merseyside nine years ago, when Jurgen Klopp signed him from Hull City for £8m. Four years prior, he had been playing in Scotland’s fourth tier for Queen’s Park.
From those humble beginnings, the 32-year-old has gone on to help redefine the role of a full-back under Klopp and later Arne Slot, notching 60 Premier League assists – the second most by defender behind former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He has won nine major trophies in that time, including two league titles and the Champions League.
But his legacy will be as someone who played like a fan on the pitch. Dalglish called him “a great credit” to Liverpool.
Once Sunday’s match is done, Robertson’s focus will turn to captaining Scotland at their first men’s World Cup for 28 years. He is just 10 caps away from equalling Dalglish’s record of 102.
“I’m just a wee bit upset with the number of caps you’ve got with Scotland,” the 75-year-old told him.
“And I think you should retire after the World Cup!”
