TRIBUTES PAID TO SCOTLAND LEGEND ROBBO

'Greatest-ever' footballer John Robertson dies aged 72 after Parkinson's battle

- BY RICHARD ELIAS

JOHN Robertson, one of Scotland's most-iconic and best-loved footballers once described as a “Picasso” of the game, has died.

The sad news was announced yesterday that the winger who went from being on the periphery of a squad to being an international superstar had passed aged 72.

Robertson had been living with Parkinson's Disease after being diagnosed a number of years ago.

He made his name playing for Nottingham Forest, scoring the winning goal for the East Midlands team in the 1980 European Cup final against Hamburg.

In total, he made more than 500 appearances for Forest, scoring 95 goals.

Robertson's former captain at Nottingham Forest, John McGovern, described him as "like Ryan Giggs but with two good feet, not one" and with more ability.

He also played for East Midland rivals, Derby County before entering the coaching aspect of the game after retiring as a player.

Last night, Nottingham Forest FC issued a statement about the news, referring to him as their "greatest-ever".