Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has raved over West Ham United midfielder Robert Snodgrass in defence of the Scottish national team.
Steve Clarke’s men have come in for plenty of criticism recently after another tough international break, but Klopp feels there is talent in the Tartan Army beyond his player Andrew Robertson.
“Expectations are too high. It’s not because of Robbo you don’t win,” he told the Daily Record. “As a left-back, you can’t win a game alone. It’s just not possible.
“He doesn’t have to though because you have other good guys – John McGinn, what a super player he is, Robert Snodgrass, a wonderful player, Scott McTominay has great potential. So let them play and let the manager have time to create a style of play, a Scottish style.”
OPINION
Klopp makes some great points, here. Scotland are in a state of flux, and just because Robertson is a Champions League winner and the best player in their team doesn’t mean he should be held solely responsible every time they fail to win a game. However, Scotland do need to start making some progress, because they have been stuck in the doldrums for too long now. Having said that, Clarke does need time, Klopp’s right. He’s only been in the job five minutes and there’s already people calling for his head. That’s simply not fair. He needs to be given the opportunity to implement his own style of play and his own strategies, something which is always difficult for international managers. Klopp’s right that there is some Scottish talent coming through, although Snodgrass is probably the worst of the players he mentions! That’s no knock on him, though. He’s a solid, veteran player who you need around a young group. However, McGinn is a really tremendous talent, while McTominay is arguably coming off his finest game as a professional for Manchester United against Leicester City on Saturday.
