SCOTLAND skipper Andy Robertson has revealed who ended his Celtic dream.
The international left-back, who cost Liverpooll £8million when they signed him from Hull City last year, was told he wasn’t good enough to make the grade at his boyhood idols.
Robertson, who was playing for the Under-15s at the time, admitted it was the Hoops’ Head of Youth Chris McCart who delivered the news that killed off his Parkhead ambitions.
The 24-year-old defender said: “When Chris McCart came in, I was playing centre-midfield the whole season and then I kind of got moved over to left-mid.
“I had never played left-mid for Celtic, so then the last two months I had a wee inclination that I wasn’t maybe for him and it wasn’t going as planned.
“It was probably still a wee bit of a surprise, but when they told me – and when you look back on it – the signs were there.
“For whatever reason, it just never worked out. That was his opinion and I took it on the chin.
“It’s hard to get over and telling all your mates and family. It’s one of those things, it happens up and down the country.
“But it’s always hard when it’s the team you’ve supported.”
Ironically, Celtic had another left-back at the time they chose to keep on – Joe Chalmers, no relation to the European Cup winner.
He was taller than Robertson which may have swung the decision his way. The defender, who is also 24, represented Scotland at Under-16 through to Under-21 levels, but made only two first team appearances at the Hoops before he was released at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Chalmers was snapped up by Motherwell, but was allowed to leave at the end of his contract two years later. He is now with Championship side Inverness Caley Thistle.
After heading through the Parkhead exit, Robertson joined Queen’s Park in 2012 to revive his career and he took a step up when he signed for Dundee United a year later.
Hull splashed ££2.85million for the Celts cast-off in 2014 and Jurgen Klopp took him to Anfield three years later.
Robertson will lead the Scots in their crucial UEFA Nations League encounter against Israel at Hampden this evening.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and the best action images from Scotland v Israel tonight – only in your champion CQN.
