Roy Keane took aim at Andy Robertson after Scotland's defeat. (Image: ITV/Getty)
When you’re reeling in the aftermath of your country’s 5-1 hammering in the opening game of the Euros, the last thing you need is Roy Keane coming at you. But for Scotland captain Andy Robertson last night, there was no escaping the wrath of the Irishman who not for the first time, laid into the Liverpool left-back on live television.
Keane was on punditry duty for ITV as Germany ran riot in Munich, with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can all on the scoresheet.
A late own goal from Antonio Rudiger brought brief solace to the Tartan Army, but it failed to gloss over a chastening night for Steve Clarke’s side who conceded three times and had Ryan Porteous sent off in a calamitous first 45 minutes.
And afterwards, Robertson conceded his side didn’t perform. “First half, we just got it all wrong really, didn’t show up, weren’t aggressive enough, and we let good players get on the ball,” he admitted. "Second half, we’re down to 10 men and I thought lads dug in really well.”
Scotland’s game with Switzerland next Wednesday is now pivotal to their hopes of progressing to the last-16, and Robertson added: “We’re so well backed over here, today was hugely disappointing. We have to bounce back quickly because there was lots wrong here and it’s a quick turnaround now.”
But Keane was having none of the explanation and launched the first of what is expected to be a series of on-screen rants during Euro 2024. “Andy Robertson said Scotland weren’t aggressive enough – you have to be aggressive in a game of football,’ he said on ITV.
Robertson appeals in vain after Germany are awarded a first-half penalty. (Image: Getty)
“When you’re up against opposition who are much stronger than you, being aggressive is part of being a footballer. I love watching skilful players and the talent we saw from the German players was great but my goodness, you have to hit people at this level.
"Properly, aggressively, doing it in the right way. If you step off like Scotland did tonight, it’s alright saying you have a game plan – that’s rubbish. It’s just rubbish coming out from Robertson. It’s alright saying you’re going to be angry tomorrow, they should be angry for a long time.”
It’s not the first time Keane, 52, has taken aim at Robertson. He famously laid into him back in April 2023 after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, during which the 30-year-old appeared to grab a linesman and argue he’d been elbowed by Constantine Hatzidakis.
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"Do you know what it is, that Robertson?” said Keane. “I’ve watched him a number of times. He's a big baby. That's what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first."
The result represented Scotland’s worst at a major international tournament since the 7-0 loss to Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup. And Keane wasn’t prepared to accept the notion they improved in the second half at the Allianz Arena. “They were out of their depth. The difference in quality was chalk and cheese,” he added.
