DANNY ROSE has hailed Scotland captain Andy Robertson as a “freak of nature” following his standout season for Liverpool.

The former Dundee United and Hull City full-back has become a fan favourite at Anfield and has been a key figure under Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Robertson is widely regarded as one of the top left-backs in the world and Tottenham and England defender Rose admits he hopes to reach the levels of the 26-year-old one day.

Speaking on The Lockdown Tactics podcast, Rose said: "Andy Robertson looks like a freak of nature. I watch him play football and in every game he gives the same commitment. 

“His consistency levels are extremely high. He is just brilliant. We played Hull four or five years ago at White Hart Lane and Robertson was playing for Hull, as was Harry Maguire. 

"I wouldn't have noticed Robertson at that time, if I'm being honest, but he then moved to Liverpool and he has been the best left-back for them.

"He's been the best left-back in England and, maybe, Europe for the past two years.

"For me, now, he is the one I'm looking to catch, without a doubt. He is the best.”

Rose, who is currently on-loan at Newcastle, also hailed former Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney, who now plays his football in the Premier League with Arsenal.

His time at the Emirates has been plagued with injuries and Rose has sympathy for the 22-year-old.

He added: "I tried to watch the Celtic games on the Champions League when they were on the television. Brendan Rodgers said at that time that Kieran was one of best in Europe.

"As soon as Brendan said that then I took an interest in him.

"I feel very sorry for him this season as he's had a bit of bad luck with injury.

"I do rate the two of them very highly but Robertson is the best."

Spurs full-back Rose then opened up on his battle with mental health in the build-up to the World Cup in 2018.

Speaking to Kris Boyd and Robert Snodgrass, he said: "I was with England and we had a media day. The journalists were asking questions and one of the questions was what it meant to me to be here with the squad.

"I said that it meant the world to me because I had had a difficult year or 18 months with depression. I was playing well for Spurs but I got injured.

"Then my uncle took his own life because he suffered with mental health. It just got too much for me. 

"I wasn't sleeping and wasn't eating. I didn't have a haircut for a year and didn't shave for a year.

"When the story broke the next day after I had spoken out at England, we had a game against Costa Rica. People were very positive towards me and I received text messages. 

"The lads, manager and staff all offered their support and it was really overwhelming. I had dealt with it by that time and I thought I was past that stage of my life. 

"One of the Costa Rica players pulled me to the side at half-time and thanked me for what I'd done and said I'd helped him out massively. It was then I thought I might be able to help people.

"Even now, if I go out to eat, or go to the supermarket, I get people saying 'thank you' and it is just amazing. People will go out of their way to let you know that you have made their day or changed their life just because of something you've said.

"I might have thought it wasn't a big deal, but I realise it was a big deal and I have helped people along the way.

"People need to speak out. Do not be alone. The help is out there, trust me."

The Lockdown Tactics is brand new podcast, hosted by former Scotland stars Robert Snodgrass and Kris Boyd. Every week TLT will interview big names with the core focus being on Mental Health and Wellbeing.

It's chosen charity partner is The Kris Boyd Charity.

To watch the full interview with Danny, go to YouTube and the various TLT social platforms. It will be available from noon on Tuesday.