ANDY Robertson has admitted the competition he faces from Kieran Tierney of Celtic and Lee Wallace of Rangers for a place in the Scotland side is bringing out the best in him.
Hull City defender Robertson was outstanding for the national team in their 5-1 win over minnows Malta in a World Cup qualifier in Ta’Qali on Sunday evening.
The 22-year-old was the only specialist left back in Gordon Strachan’s squad after both Tierney and Wallace were forced to withdraw through injury last week.
However, the former Queen’s Park and Dundee United player confessed the pressure he feels from the duo, as well as Stephen Kingsley of Swansea City, was responsible for his bright showing.
"It was unfortunate Kieran and Lee pulled out, but that gave me an opportunity,“ he said. “I have confidence in myself and I have confidence that I can start even when Kieran and Lee are fit.
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“But they are excellent players and if they keep on doing what they're doing for Celtic and Rangers it will be a big battle.
“You also have Kingsley at Swansea who is doing unbelievably well. If he keeps on playing so well in the Premier League it is going to be hard to ignore him.
“I was happy with my performance the other night. Defensively, we were quite solid and I tried to support Matty (Ritchie) in attack and thought I did that.
“It was a good all-round team performance, but I was pleased with myself as well."
Robertson flitted in and out of the Scotland team during their unsuccessful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign as his form fluctuated.
But he believes playing for Hull City in the Barclays Premier League this season will increase his chances of establishing himself at left back in the national team greatly.
"If you are playing against these top players week in, week out and you are doing well then obviously you will take confidence from that,“ he said.
“I have put in three solid performances for Hull this season and I think I continued that on Sunday night. Hopefully I will just get better and better as the season goes on.
“I will try to get fitter and stronger and keep on working on my game. Hopefully if I do that I can show the I have got more to give."
Robertson admitted he had been delighted to see his Hull team mate Robert Snodgrass net a hat-trick in the resounding win against Malta on Sunday evening.
The attacking midfielder missed the entire Euro 2016 qualifying campaign after dislocating his knee cap and only returned to the Scotland team towards the end of last season.
Robertson said: “It is brilliant for him. He was a big miss for us in the Euro qualifiers. Now he has showed us, the fans and the whole country what he can do.
“I thought he controlled the game. When he moved back into the centre he was unplayable at times. He was creating chances and he was putting them away. That can only be good for the country.
“Hopefully he can keep up the good start he has made to the season with Hull and Scotland as well.
"He has been different class with Hull since pre-season. He scored the winner against Leicester and has been creating things for us as well. He has been a big player for us this season. Long may it continue."
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