CHRIS Robertson would love to resurrect a long-lost Scotland dream at Ross County – a decade after it was snatched from his grasp.
The summer signing was an up-and-coming teenager at Sheffield United when he caught the eye of the legendary Archie Gemmill on a scouting mission.
The then-Scotland under-19s manager decided to fast-track the Dundee-born Anglo-Scot into the international youth ranks, but within a week Robertson was floored by serious injury. The centre-half never heard from Scotland again, but, at 28, hasn’t given up on a belated call.
Successful spells at Torquay United, Preston North End and, most recently, Port Vale weren’t enough to put Robertson back on the international radar but he hopes his move to Dingwall might be different.
Robertson began his County career on the bench but an untimely injury for Scott Boyd saw him start against St Johnstone and Hearts. His performances have been strong and he is determined to make the position his own, with Scotland ambitions a long-term target.
Robertson said: “When I was at Sheffield United, where I came through the ranks as a youth player, I was scouted to play for Scotland’s younger teams.
“Archie Gemmill phoned up my youth team manager, but a week later I ruptured my ankle ligaments. I didn’t hear anything after that. It was a bad time to get injured and I was gutted,” Robertson added.
“You hope your chance will come again, but it never has. I’m realistic about what I have to do and achieve at Ross County first but playing in Scotland can only benefit me in that regard.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s in my thoughts. I’m going to try and do well for Ross County first and see what happens.”
Robertson may speak with a broad Midlands accent, having left the land of his birth 26 years ago, but he has always hankered after a taste of Scottish football.
His father Tom was from St Andrews, his mother Lesley from Glasgow, and the lure was strong enough for him to snub better incentives in England’s League One for a crack at Scotland’s Premiership.
Robertson admitted: “My family roots were one reason I wanted to come up here and play. We moved away when my dad got work in Nottingham. Despite that, I’ve always felt Scottish, and my mates and I always joked about it and wound each other up.
“This summer, I had a couple of teams up here interested, and there were other options in League One down in England.
“I certainly could have stayed and in many ways it would have been a bit easier for my family and girlfriend. But meeting the manager and seeing the club made my mind up.
“I’m delighted with the decision I made. We have a good set of lads and good ability. You don’t know how you’re going to find it, as I’d never played in the Scottish Premiership before.
“But from what I’ve seen so far there’s nothing to be afraid of, really.
“If we can shoot up the league by winning a few more games, and by taking our chances and getting the final ball right, we’ll have a chance of being up there challenging in the top six.”
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