Liverpool's Andrew Robertson makes Liam Cooper 'Bielsa-ball' quip ahead of Scotland opener

Liam Cooper has already left a lasting impression on Scotland captain Andy Robertson.
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson warms up at Hampden Park. Pic: GettyScotland captain Andrew Robertson warms up at Hampden Park. Pic: Getty
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson warms up at Hampden Park. Pic: Getty

The Tartan Army are currently in their final preparations before they kick-off their Euro 2020 involvement on Monday afternoon.

Whites skipper Cooper has been included in Steve Clarke's final 26-man squad for the first majors finals the country has reached in 23 years.

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A number of Premier League players have been called up for the tournament and one of those is Liverpool full-back Robertson.

Cooper could start alongside his teammate against Czech Republic at Hampden Park but has clearly already made him sit up and take note in training.

"I've got a lot of time for Coops," Robertson told the BBC.

"I think when he tries to play Bielsa-ball in training we all struggle sometimes when he's up front and defending!"

Robertson gave each squad member a hamper filled with Scottish goodies as a gift before the competition got underway on Friday night.

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Scotland have been drawn in Group D alongside England, Croatia and the Czech's and will be aiming to begin with a victory against the latter next week.

“Obviously a win would be massive in the first game,” boss Clarke said.

“Anybody I have ever spoken to who has been to a tournament and worked in a tournament is always quite strong on the fact that you shouldn’t lose the first game.

“If you look historically at a lot of World Cup games and (European) Championship games, a lot of the matches are draws, because both teams realise the value maybe of getting something out of that first game.

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“It might be cagey, I don’t know. It might open up really quickly. But we will certainly be playing for the three points and I am sure the Czech Republic will be.

“And normally, in recent tournaments, three points can almost guarantee you a place in the last 16, so that would be a great start."