‘The squad is the strength’: Andy Robertson praises Scotland substitutes after Norway win

Scotland captain Andy Robertson says strength in depth in the squad was a crucial factor in the 2-1 win in Norway.

Victory in Oslo gave the national team maximum points from their three Euro 2024 qualifiers so far, with the team bouncing back after Erling Haaland had netted a penalty to put the hosts in front.

Lyndon Dykes equalised late on before substitute Kenny McLean scored to give Scotland a 2-1 win against the odds and boost qualification points.

Robertson said that the team spirit and belief that manager Steve Clarke and his coaching staff have created was a factor in the recent successes, and echoed Clarke in highlighting the quality and contribution from the substitutes.

“They know our strengths and they know what we’re good at,” he said. “And what they’ve created, is pretty special. Everyone is in it together and you see that.

“Look at the lads coming off the bench. They made such a big difference and that’s so important.

“You know, trying to keep an international squad happy is difficult because you only meet up every so often and then the team, you know, a lot of the time the team is the same. You have to try and keep the bench with you.

“Credit to all the lads, their attitude is spot on. They’re so good: wee Billy (Gilmour), Kenny (McLean) all came on and done so well for us.

“Stu (Armstrong) came on and these players are so important for us. The manager said before the game that the squad’s our biggest strength and I think we proved that today.”

The Liverpool left-back also felt that winning in tough circumstances away from Hampden was proof of the team’s progress.

“It was probably the next step in our journey,” he said. “You know, our home form has been relatively good and we need to keep that going.

“But this was about coming to a tough away ground against a very good team and showing that we can come away with three points.

“And yeah, at times it didn’t look likely and we maybe rode our luck a wee bit at times but I don’t remember them having many chances. And obviously we didn’t have many either, but we were clinical and when you come away from home like that, it’s so important to do that.”

Yeah, a massive three points