SCOTT ROBERTSON is on the comeback trail after suffering an injury while out on-loan to Crewe last season. The midfielder made 20 appearances for the English side before his injury and did his best to continue his progress that would see him get a Celtic chance.
“Confidence is something I have never lacked. I believe in myself and that I’m good enough to play for Celtic, he told Daily Record.
“You always need to back yourself as nobody is going to make things easy. You need to prove yourself and earn your way into a club of this stature – that’s my aim. People on the outside don’t appreciate how much confidence plays a part in professional football. It’s massive!
“At the start of last season I managed to play 13 or 14 full games for Crewe and it’s the best I’ve felt. I felt I had arguably been their best player, it’s that belief which can help me kick on next season. Every loan spell I’ve had has always been about getting into Celtic’s first team, that’s always been my first thought. Going on loan has never been about a holiday away from Lennoxtown.”
When it comes to recent inspiration for the younger players at Celtic coming through the academy — Anthony Ralston is the man they all look to. The defender told CeltsAreHere earlier this season he didn’t expect to make it at Celtic after being frozen out of the first team picture. Ralston kept plugging away and the timing of Ange’s arrival coincided with Celtic needing numbers. Anthony got a one-year extension and would then go onto excel in a Celtic jersey — helping the bhoys to the SPFL title.
Roberts one believes Anthony’s story is now inspiring the younger players at Lennoxtown.
“You see how well Ants has done this season. I look at what he has achieved and it’s a path which I’m aiming to replicate. It has been well documented that he probably thought his time was up at Celtic but he grabbed his opportunity and turned everything around. It shows what you can do if you adopt that mindset.
“He’s had this never-say-die attitude and that was rewarded with a new contract. Ant has been terrific with me, not only is he someone I’m close to but he’s shown this season what can happen at Celtic if you have the belief that you can be a regular starter in the first team. That should inspire all the young players at Celtic.”
Speaking about his injury, Robertson revealed once he sustained the cartilage issue, there was an umber of other minor things they had to clean up in surgery that’s prolonged his time out of the game.
He now looks up his rehab and get going before the bhoys get back to Lennoxtown at the end of the month.
“It was an issue with my cartilage that brought my season to a halt at Crewe. When they had a closer look I also required some tidying-up work.
“I had the operation back in March then I was down in London last week just to get a review and to make sure I could step up rehab work. All of the feedback I’ve had has been positive so it’s all about looking forward now.
The Scottish midfielder also revealed the Celtic manager has been keeping in touch with him throughout his injury and has handled. It’s an insight into how well the Australian is at man management — Ange is constantly involving everyone even when they’re not part of the first team.
“The manager has been brilliant with me. When I returned to Lennoxtown after the surgery he was talking with me. Every step of the way he’s been checking in to make sure everything is going OK.
“He hasn’t really spoken much about football, it’s been all about my recovery, and that’s been great to hear as it’s encouraging going into the new season.”
Robertson will have it all to do in pre-season and will find out pretty quickly his chances are of making the breakthrough at Celtic this season. Scott has certainly got the right attitude.
He’s looked the part whenever given minutes with the first team. Like most youngsters, he’s a bit raw with a lot to add to his game, but he has a good attitude and is putting in the work required to improve himself.