Farewell Robbo, you were a true football legend

FANS and former players have united in paying tribute to John Robertson, the former Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Scotland winger who twice won the European Cup under Brian Clough, after his death at the age of 72.

- By GAVIN MCCAFFERTY & OSCAR FISHER

caps for Scotland, scoring eight goals

Lanarkshire-born Robertson signed for Forest aged 15, soon making his debut when only 17, and would become a key player as Clough's side won the First Division league title in 1978 before back-to-back European Cup triumphs.

It was Robertson who provided the assist for Trevor Francis to score the only goal as Forest beat Malmo 1-0 in Munich and he then slotted in the winner himself as Clough's men beat Hamburg 1-0 in Madrid the following season.

Robertson, who also won the League Cup twice with Forest, was part of Scotland's World Cup squads in 1978 and 1982.

After two seasons playing for Derby, Robertson returned to the City Ground in 1985, playing 12 times in his final season before being released.

Following his retirement, Robertson later moved into coaching as assistant to former Forest teammate Martin O'Neill at Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa.

Robertson was one of several players whose lives were transformed after Brian Clough took over as Forest manager, but it was the return of Peter Taylor which had a profound impact on him.

Taylor, who had worked with Clough at Hartlepool, Derby and Brighton, resumed his role as his assistant 18 months into his reign in the summer of 1976, and ordered Robertson back to the team hotel ahead of the first preseason training season before launching a verbal attack on his attitude and lifestyle.

The winger's reaction was instant and lasting. Robertson was to play a key part in Forest winning promotion that season and played all 42 league games as Forest won the title and League Cup the following campaign.

He went on to set up the winner in one European Cup final and scored in the next one while enjoying a memorable career with Scotland, and was twice voted Forest's best player of all time.