In the opening match of the 2024 European Championship, Scotland suffered a crushing defeat, losing 1-5 to Germany. The result at the Allianz Arena sparked a strong reaction from former Manchester United star Roy Keane, particularly targeting Scotland captain Andy Robertson’s post-match comments.
The passionate Scottish fan base, reportedly comprising 4% of the country’s population, traveled to Munich in support of their team, but their cheers were drowned out by the home side’s dominant performance. Germany took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half with goals from Wirtz, Musiala, and Havertz. Scotland’s woes were compounded by Ryan Porteous’ red card, leading to a convincing 5-1 victory for Germany.
After the match, Liverpool defender Robertson attempted to analyze the defeat: “In the first half, we got almost everything wrong. We didn’t show the urgency or positivity required, allowing their top players too much time on the ball. With ten men in the second half, the lads did give it their all. It’s disappointing in front of such a massive support. We need to bounce back quickly, as many issues have been exposed, and the situation is pressing. Perhaps this is a wake-up call, reminding us of the challenge we face.”
However, Keane, working as an ITV commentator, was unconvinced by Robertson’s assessment, expressing dissatisfaction with the left-back’s remarks: “Andy Robertson talks about having a ‘game plan,’ which is fine, but then he says they ‘weren’t aggressive enough.’ In football, being proactive is a basic requirement, especially against stronger opponents, showing aggression is a must-have attribute for a player.”
“I appreciate skillful players; Germany showcased remarkable talent tonight. But at this level, you’ve got to be willing to battle, confront them positively and aggressively. If you retreat like Scotland did tonight… talking about a ‘plan’ after the game… that’s just empty talk! Andy Robertson, that’s empty talk. The importance of the match should be understood before kickoff, and saying ‘we’ll regroup, we’ll be angry tomorrow’ is meaningless.
“No, you should be angry long-term. We talked about making history, and you did make history… just in the most disappointing way, letting down the coach and all supporters. That foul that led to the penalty wasn’t aggression; it was foolishness. Being aggressive in the game is crucial, but you never posed any threat to the opposition.”
