ANDY ROBERTSON says that Scotland simply weren’t good enough in a horror opening 45 minutes against Denmark that cost Steve Clarke’s men dear in Copenhagen.

Clarke’s tactics backfired as he tried to compensate for the loss of personnel through injury and Covid-19 protocols, with skipper Robertson looking uncomfortable on the right-hand side during a torrid first-half in which the Danes scored two quickfire goals to settle the match.

And Robertson admits that an improved showing in the second half came far too late, as he urged his teammates to stop giving the opposition a head start in games.

“It was really disappointing, the way we played the first half,” Robertson said.

“We knew they were going to come out, we knew they were going to get a lift from their crowd. And the way they performed in the Euros, coming back home.

“We knew we had to weather the storm and I think we didn’t do that well enough. We weren’t brave enough on the ball, our distribution from the back wasn’t quite good enough and we couldn’t keep it. We were inviting pressure.

“We had a crazy four or five minutes when we conceded two goals an unfortunately against a really good team that’s where the game ends.

“Second half we were determined in the changing room not to concede any more, to build ourselves into the game. I thought we did that. We started getting the ball down, started playing.

“We had a great chance in the last 10 but it was a top quality save from a top keeper.

“But we weren’t good enough tonight to get anything.”

Robertson was diplomatic about playing out of position, but conceded he was far more comfortable when shifted back to more familiar territory at the interval.

“It was obviously something different,” he said.

“The gaffer pulled me when we knew Sod (Stephen O’Donnell) wasn’t going to make and neither was Patto (Nathan Patterson)

“Look, the gaffer asked me to do a job there. I’ll sacrifice for this squad every time – I’ll do it again and again, not a problem. It’s part and parcel. I love playing for my country and as long as I’m out there getting a cap then so be it.

“Of course I’m more comfortable on the left. You saw that second half. I tried to do a job, tried to help the team. First half I should’ve done better, the whole back line should’ve done better, midfield. I don’t think anyone passed in the first half.

“Second half a lot better and something we can build on and it’s important we do build on.

“We need to do it for the start of the next two games going forward – we can’t give teams 45 minutes head start against us.”