STEVE CLARKE reckons Liverpool star Andy Robertson gets unfairly criticised when he pulls on the dark blue of Scotland.

And the Hampden boss has thanked his skipper for leading by example as he looks to guide his side into the World Cup play-offs next week.

Robertson has been a mainstay of Clarke's squad in recent years and the partnership with Kieran Tierney has been integral to the success Scotland have enjoyed.

Now the Premier League and Champions League winner has another international achievement in his sights as Clarke prepares for his date with destiny against Moldova.

Clarke said: “Andy's important for me. I always try to catch up with him between Scotland camps for a debrief on the one before and a look ahead to the next.

“We normally have that chat. He's grown in the role of captain.

"When he first got it, it probably took him a little bit of time to adjust to it.

“He came here with the pressure of being Andy Robertson, playing at Liverpool and everyone looking at that.

“But whenever he's come away with us, I've always been happy with his performances.

“Sometimes he gets unfairly criticised because we're comparing how he plays for Liverpool to how he plays for Scotland.

"But it's two different teams, two different ways of playing. He's never let his country down when I've been here.

“Listen, when Andy's playing at his best, he is different class. I always try to put Andy and Kieran together because they're both left-backs.

“Andy's playing at left wing-back which is slightly out of position and Kieran at left centre-back which is also slightly out of position for him.

“But both of them approach those roles with great professionalism. You see that the more they've played together, the better the dynamic has been on our left hand side.

“They have a little switch when Kieran goes forward as an overlapping centre-half and Andy drops into centre-back.

“So I think we've found a reasonable solution with both players slightly out of position but still giving everything and playing well for their country. It's been a good compromise."