ANDY Robertson last night stressed the call-offs from the Scotland squad ahead of the Nations League double header against Albania and Israel were all for genuine reasons and revealed that Kieran Tierney had been devastated when he was forced out.

Tierney became the latest player to be sidelined by an injury yesterday – the Celtic left back was advised not to travel by national team medical staff and his club due to an unspecified problem – taking the total number of withdrawals to nine.

Mikey Devlin, Craig Gordon, Kevin McDonald, McGinn, Jon McLaughlin, Charlie Mulgrew, Stephen O’Donnell and Tierney have all pulled out of the original 23-man squad. Meanwhile, Ryan Jack was called up on Sunday only to be ruled out on Tuesday.

The unprecedented number of call-offs – from a squad that was already without Leigh Griffiths, Steven Naismith and John Souttar – has led to speculation that there are problems behind the scenes in the Scotland camp.

However, Liverpool left back Robertson, who will captain his country again in the Group C1 match in the Boro Lorici Stadium in Shkoder this evening, has emphasised there is no truth in those rumours.

“I think most people would be guessing with that if I’m honest,” he said. “Those of us here have seen with John McGinn pulling out how devastated he was leaving the squad.

“Kieran was devastated too and wanted to give it a go, but the club and medical staff said that it couldn’t happen.

“Mikey Devlin left and he could be out for a while for Aberdeen. These are genuine injuries to lads who are devastated at not playing for their country.

“It’s easy to say things if people call-off early doors. Then it’s said every call off from that point is not a complete injury. But I can say first hand that they are all devastated not to be on the flight and I know that they would play if they could.

“The lads who have called off can’t be with us but they will be cheering us on from home. Yes, it will be an inexperienced 11 due to circumstances, but I have confidence in the lads. All the players are up for it.”

Robertson admitted the large number of injuries had complicated preparations for the Albania game. However, the defender remains confident Scotland are still strong enough to get a victory that will increase their hopes of topping their section and securing a Euro 2020 play-off place.

“We’ve been really unfortunate, but we still have quality within the squad and we still have to believe that whatever team the manager puts out will be strong enough,” he said.

“Of course it’s been a bit disruptive, but we always plan with different team set-ups. That’s when it comes down to everyone being 100 per cent concentrated on what they are doing.

“These things happen and people have to step up. I’m sure that will happen against Albania.We all have to think that way. We’re all positive going into the game.

“But it’s a big enough squad and we believe that we can get the result. We go in looking to win and we won’t set up any differently. We’re going to have to go and prove we can win.

“We have had our critics and it’s up to us to prove them wrong and show that we have quality in the team and hopefully we can do that and then everyone is behind us for Tuesday.”

The 24-year-old, who will win his 27th cap this evening, admitted atoning for the poor performance and costly defeat against Israel in Haifa last month is a major motivation for him and his team mates.

“It didn’t happen in Israel and we owe it to ourselves firstly and then everyone round about us a performance in Albania,” he said.

“When you get the armband everyone looks to you to lead and when things go wrong then you get criticised the most and I need to take that on the chin.

“Our focus is on Albania and then Israel. It’s time for everyone to pull together for two massive games and if we can all pull in that same direction I’m sure it will be a positive outcome.”

Robertson has been impressed by how David Bates, the Hamburg centre half who looks set to make his Scotland debut this evening, has fared since joining up with the squad.

“I think he’s been really good in training,” he said. “I remember watching him at Rangers and I think he’s come on a lot since he made the move to Hamburg.

“It’s up to us to get around him and help him. It’s up to the manager if he starts or not, but the more experienced boys will help him out and be positive.

“You don’t know quite how it will go on your debut, but I think he can stand up to be counted.”

Robertson continued: “Callum Paterson has been doing well in the Premier League and Ryan Fraser has the most assists in the league too as well as the Celtic boys coming in on a high.

“It can be hard to bring your own individual form from a club into a new team at international level but that’s what we’re aiming to do and hopefully get the right result. “

Robertson has revealed that Jurgen Klopp, his manager at Liverpool, had texted him to say he was “the real Braveheart” after he was made Scotland captain by McLeish in September.

“He (Klopp) always likes a laugh and a joke with the lads,” he said. “I’m sure he calls me a few other things besides! That’s a good one and I hope it can work to my advantage and be a good thing.”

He intends to show he lives up to his moniker in what will be a difficult game due to the call-offs and help his country get an improbable win.