Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned just how Celtic could allow Andy Robertson to slip through their grasp.
The Scotland international and Champions League winner has become a sensation at Anfield. He’s made 85 appearances since Klopp signed him from Hull City. Since the signing, he’s played in two Champions League finals and is currently part of the Liverpool side who are five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Yet it all started with a Celtic rejection. He was released by the Hoops at under-15 level before signing with Queen’s Park and kick-starting from there. The rest is history.
But Klopp has stated in the Sunday Mail that he can’t understand why anyone would’ve let his man go.
“It’s so difficult to understand when you look at him now that anyone could ever have let him go. Left-back is such an important position and I don’t think in Scotland they have 500 of them, do they?
“So it’s hard to imagine how you can give up on a boy like this. It cannot be his personality or character, it cannot be his speed because he was always quick.
“It cannot be the quality of his left foot because it was always brilliant when he played for Hull and when I saw him play for Dundee United. So a left-back with speed, quality and character? You have to keep him and work with him.”
Klopp’s words are easy to say now
Looking back on ones that got away seems to be a popular hobby for some. But judging a player at the age Robertson was allowed to leave Celtic at isn’t easy. Sure, you can argue the club should’ve stuck with him, but they made a judgment call on a youngster they didn’t feel would make it. They can hardly be hammered for it.
It’s easy for the Liverpool manager to come out and question how anyone could reject him. However, he’s now talking about a two-time Champions League finalist and one-time winner. He’s not talking about a 16-year-old who’s just signed for Queen’s Park.
Robertson was a mistake from Celtic. It follows the likes of Shay Given in the past too. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong.
You have to bear in mind this is the same Celtic that helped pick out players such as James Forrest, Callum McGregor, and Kieran Tierney. They do get plenty right also.
So going back 10 years ago to bash the club over not keeping a player is a bit harsh from those that choose to do so. It happened and we move on.
After all, there’s no guarantee he would’ve gone on to be the player he turned out to be had he not had rejection to spur him on.
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