29 March 2023 , 12:57
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Andy Robertson has hit back at Rodri after the Manchester City midfielder suggested that Scotland's tactics were "rubbish" in Spain's 2-0 defeat at Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke's side ran out deserved winners in Glasgow thanks to a brace from Manchester United star Scott McTominay. It was a result that has lifted them to the top of Group A with six points from six.
However, after the game, a disappointed Rodri slammed Scotland and the way they set up. "It's the way they play," Rodri. "You have to respect it but for me, it's a bit rubbish.
"Because it's always wasting time. They provoke you, they always fall. For me, this is not football. For the spirit of the sport, you have to move on. The referee has to take control of this but he says nothing."
In his own post-match interview, Liverpool left-back Robertson dismissed the claim that about Scotland's game plan and revealed they wanted to be physical and get in their face from the off.
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"Yeah look, I think they were going down a little bit easily, we were trying to say that," Robertson told Viaplay Sports. "We were always going to try to be physical, we wanted to be in their faces, win our headers and challenges and I think we did that.
"I don’t think we crossed the line. They were, especially in the first half, rolling about a wee bit much but they use their experience and they got a couple of us booked which is fair enough to them."
This isn't the first time Rodri has complained about another team and their style, however. Following Leicester's 5-2 win over Man City in September 2020, the 26-year-old claimed the Foxes were "lucky".
Spain's Rodri during the shock 2-0 defeat to Scotland (Scott Heppell/AP/REX/Shutterstock)"For me, they were lucky," he told BBC Radio 5 Live at the time. "Football has not been fair to us. Maybe it is our fault, maybe it is their strength - but it is very difficult to explain.
"We did a lot of good things to win the game. A team like Leicester comes here and plays with 11 guys behind the ball. I am young and try to learn every game, but games like this - where the opposition do nothing - you are a bit confused. It's not the way I like to play."
Pep Guardiola has followed Rodri's suit with similar views in the past - and Robertson's comments on the Man City man adds a little bit more spice to Liverpool's trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp's side are looking to bounce back after the 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth before the international break and reignite their push for a Champions League spot next season.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's men can close the gap on leaders Arsenal ahead of their game against Leeds. City currently sit eight points behind the Gunners but do have a game in hand.