Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson will have travelled full circle when he takes his place in the Scotland squad in Sweden.
Robertson fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he pulled on the dark blue of his country for the first time, making his debut in a glamour friendly at Hampden against Diego Maradona’s Argentina side on November 19, 2008.
It was a rich reward for a sure-footed start to his SPL career at Tannadice after an effortless switch from neighbours Dundee.
What followed that Scots debut, though, was frustration and disappointment as groin problems continually dogged him.
A late call-up to Craig Levein’s squad for Wednesday night’s friendly in Sweden has brought him back to where he left off against Maradona’s men, even though it wasn’t expected.
“I would say I am surprised but delighted,” said Robertson.
“It has been a long road for me since I made my Scotland debut against Argentina.
“Back then George Burley was the manager so a lot has happened since.
“I haven’t really played that much first-team football, was never fully fit and kept breaking down with the injury.
“That made it harder and harder for me to keep my spirits up.””Feeling really good”He added, “They (the medical staff) said there was a weakness in my pelvic floor so I had to work on it in the gym.
“I tried rest, operations and injections and although they gave me short-term relief they never really fixed the problem.
“This conditioning programme I am on seems to have relieved it.
“I still have discomfort but that is probably coming from scar tissue from all the operations I have had three on that one area.
“I am really feeling good now and hopefully that has been showing in my recent performances.”
The Scotland involvement comes at a crucial time for Robertson’s club, with United starting their SPL campaign at St Mirren on Saturday before embarking on their European adventure at home to AEK Athens a week on Thursday.
Robertson said, “It is probably better for me that the first leg of the European tie is at home because to be travelling all of this week and all of next would have been tough.
“Travelling is part and parcel of football at this level and you have to get used to it but it is better to space it out.”Knows coaches wellRobertson, of course, will know Levein as well as anyone in the camp, with the exception of his assistant, Tannadice boss Peter Houston.
The midfielder said, “I know Craig will have been frustrated at going so long without a match.
“I think he has been there nine months but had only one game against the Czech Republic.
“I think it is five games now in the next couple of months so he will be looking forward to that.”
He added, “I also know that he is passionate about his football and coming into the matches he will be getting us organised and hopefully we can get the results we need to push on and eventually qualify.
“It has been a long time since I worked with him properly because of my injury but it would be no different if I were playing for any other manager.”
Goalkeeper David Marshall (elbow) and midfielder Graham Dorrans (groin) have withdrawn from the squad.
Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner has been called up. While midfielder Scott Brown is still struggling with a foot injury, the Celtic skipper is keen to travel with the squad.