"The young Bulgarian, soon to shoot to prominence under Martin O'Neill, was finding it impossible to snatch the ball from a rotund, wizened coach during a possession drill. Petrov's teammates were cackling with laughter. John Robertson's brilliance was understated enough in Scotland. Word of his talent in the game was never likely to reach Petrov as he grew up in deepest Bulgaria."
"There has never been any worry in Nottingham about Robertson's contribution being unheralded. Robertson was adored there, almost from the moment Clough instigated a positional switch central midfield to the left flank and ordered this 22-year-old to at least moderate a lifestyle which revolved around fags and a frying pan. Robertson was an outside left rather than a winger, a player who made the improbable look so blissfully easy. Clough gave him scope to do as he pleased."
John Robertson was a two-footed outside left, far more devastating with his left foot, capable of a bamboozling switch of pace over five yards and a wondrous crosser. Brian Clough regarded him as a favourite and deployed a positional switch from central midfield to the left flank that unleashed his creativity. Robertson delivered key contributions to two European Cup final goals and became adored at Nottingham Forest. He was often underappreciated in Scotland and his death on Christmas Day prompted reflection on his talent. He combined improvisational flair with effortless crossing, making the improbable look blissfully easy.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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