Browsing: Robertson

Hockey

Matthew Robertson making the most of long-awaited opportunity in Rangers’ lineup

It’s been a long road to the NHL for young Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson.

Robertson was selected back in 2019 with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the NHL Draft, and he spent his first four seasons stashed down in the AHL before receiving a call-up down the stretch last year.

With New York eliminated from the playoff race, he appeared in the final two games of the regular season, finishing with three shots on goal and a +3 rating.

After more changes to the defensive core this offseason, Robertson cracked the roster as the extra defenseman to start this season, but with injuries and sluggish play he’s quickly made his way into the lineup.

Thus far, the 24-year-old has taken advantage of the opportunity.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Robertson told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “I came into camp not knowing what to expect and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Trying to make the most of every opportunity I get and trying to get better each day.”

Robertson certainly has looked the part as he’s skated in the Blueshirts’ last four games.

He finally found his way onto the scorers’ sheet on Saturday night, firing a shot from the point past Montreal’s Sam Montembeault to give him his first career goal and the Rangers their first lead in the third period.

That made up for the first big mistake of his pro career, which occurred just a minute and a half into the opening period, as a turnover sent the Canadiens the other way for an odd-man rush and the game’s opening goal.

Mike Sullivan liked how he was able to shake it and bounceback later on.

“As a young player, sometimes that can affect a guy,” the head coach said. “What I loved about it is just his response — his ability to shake it off and just play. Watching him the rest of the night, he was competing and playing hard, it didn’t effect his confidence or swagger.”

If that confidence and swagger continue growing, perhaps Robertson can solidify himself as a mainstay in the lineup.

Source link

Football

Scotland: Andy Robertson in no mood to sour Greece joy – but was display a worry?

“What’s the lesson you take away from this? You’re better being lucky than good,” former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Sportsound.

Luck does not last long, though, as Steve Clarke’s side found out against the Greeks in March.

It was a similar story in Athens in the first leg of their Nations League relegation play-off, with Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty earning the Scots a first-leg win.

In the second leg, Clarke’s men were totally outclassed and lost 3-0. Thursday marked the third straight match in which Greece have dominated Scotland.

“We were given a football lesson,” former Scotland defender Willie Miller said. “But we gave a lesson on winning.”

Former Scotland winger Neil McCann added: “Clarke will know that isn’t a vintage Scotland performance, but it was a vintage result.”

Performance aside, with seven points on the board and bottom seeds Belarus to face on Sunday, Clarke’s side have given themselves a great chance of ending the nation’s 27-year World Cup hoodoo.

However, the Scotland boss will be aware that poor displays could catch up on his side. How does he combat that?

Clarke’s Scotland look better when they embrace chaos and do not stand off it, especially in home matches, when they can use a rocking home crowd to their advantage.

For over an hour on Thursday,his team looked like it was playing with the handbrake on against a side ranked 40th in the world, just three places above Scotland.

The Tartan Army will demand a more front-footed approach when Belarus are welcomed to Hampden on Sunday. An expected win in that would put Scotland in a fantastic position.

Clarke will then have a month to address any worries before a potentially tenure-defining camp in November.

Source link