IT may have been a while, but finally there is a Scot strutting his stuff in the red of Liverpool who could be deemed worthy of following the great names that have gone before him. From Ian St John to Alan Hansen and more than a few others in-between, Scottish players have made an indelible mark on the history of the Anfield club.

Perhaps there is no one of any nationality who has made as valued a contribution to the Reds than the man known simply as ‘The King’, and Kenny Dalglish takes a great deal of pride and satisfaction that one of his countrymen is making such an impression on Merseyside.

There is much that Dalglish admires about Andy Robertson, with his determination to overcome the setbacks in his early career to reach the highest level at the top of that list. Should he lead Scotland to a major tournament this week for the first time in over two decades, that admiration will only increase further.

To paraphrase the famous saying, for a footballer to receive praise from Dalglish must be viewed as praise indeed.

Dalglish said: "If you win games, you're going to win trophies, and when you consider where he's been and what he's done…

"At one stage before the Champions League Final this year, Liverpool were World Club champions, Premier League champions and Champions League winners, so he's had a fantastic run.

"Andy's a great advert for people who think maybe they've lost their way a wee bit in football.

"We all know he got released from Celtic and off he went to Queen's Park and then onto Dundee United and Hull City and then onto Liverpool. He has been absolutely fantastic since he's come to us.

"So people who might be doubting themselves a wee bit can look up to Andy, and they can say if they've got the same drive and a wee bit of good fortune that everybody needs, then they can be an Andy Robertson as well.

"It would mean a lot to everybody [if he leads Scotland to a tournament]. Success is hugely important and for Scotland to have eight games undefeated, you would never have anticipated that.

“I know the levels of the team we've played aren't that great, but there have been some good ones in there and we've come out in front of them.

"The most important thing is that the players have the belief in each other to do what they're doing and if they continue to do that then they have a chance of winning this match.

"As for Andy, he's the leader. He's the one who would be getting the abuse if they weren't successful.

“Andy has probably sat back a wee bit and not been as adventurous with Scotland as what he is at Liverpool, simply because he understands the situation.

"That's great credit to him and to every one of the players, but more importantly, great credit to Steve Clarke.

"Fingers crossed we get the result. To get this close is a huge improvement to what we've had in the past."

Dalglish is also a huge admirer of Scotland manager Steve Clarke, who he worked with at Anfield, particularly his pragmatic approach in putting results before his preferred style of play.

"It might not be as free-flowing and attractive as everybody would like - I'm sure Stevie would love it to be like that as well,” Dalglish said.

“But you've got to admire Stevie. He's adopted this way of playing. He's playing to his strengths - we have better defenders than attackers and if we don't lose a goal, we've got a chance to score at the other end. They've done that and that's why they've had success, by playing to their strengths.

"Stevie proved himself at Kilmarnock. He was twice voted manager of the year by the football writers and he won another one, so out of four competitions, he won three manager of the year awards.

"He's doing a similar job with Scotland. I know from working with him at Liverpool, how the players enjoyed his coaching sessions.

"To win, he is prepared to sacrifice his own beliefs. His own belief is not to be as disciplined defensively as we are, although obviously he doesn't want to lose goals.

"He's put the foundations in that defensively we're going to be sound and see if we can get something at the other end, and you've got to admire him for the way it has worked and you've got to admire the players for believing in it.

"If everybody sings from the same hymn sheet then we've got a good chance."

With an eight-game unbeaten run though of course comes an increase in expectations, but Dalglish hopes there isn't a creeping feeling among the squad that Scotland expects.

“I don't think we should put them under too much pressure,” he continued.

“I think the results are more important than the performances, but at the same time the performances have been mostly defensive rather than extravagant.

"But that's the strength of our team. I'm sure there won't be many too unhappy if we go there and win, whether we're free flowing or whether we're solid defensively.

"It won't matter. If we get there, it will be a fantastic achievement for everybody and one that everybody will enjoy.

"And if we get there, I just hope the restrictions are lifted and the pubs might be open!"