The football world is in mourning following the death of Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend John Robertson at the age of 72. The iconic winger, described by the legendary manager Brian Clough as 'the Picasso of our game', was a fundamental part of the Forest side that achieved the extraordinary feat of winning back-to-back European Cups.
Architect of European Glory
Robertson's legacy is forever entwined with Forest's greatest triumphs. In the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo in Munich, it was his driving run and pinpoint cross from the left wing that set up Trevor Francis's winning header. He was not content with just an assist, however. The following year, in the 1980 final against Hamburg at the Bernabéu, Robertson cut inside and fired a low, skidding shot into the net to seal a 1-0 victory and a second consecutive European crown.
His contributions were not limited to Europe. Robertson scored the decisive penalty in a replay to win the 1978 League Cup against Liverpool, a trophy Forest retained the next season. In total, he made over 500 appearances for Forest, scoring 95 goals, having joined the club from Drumchapel Amateur FC in 1970.
A Career Transformed by Tough Love
Robertson's path to greatness was not straightforward. In his early years at the City Ground, his talent was obscured by a lack of professionalism, with a fondness for drinking, smoking, and fried food. His career was at a crossroads until a pivotal summer meeting in 1976 with Clough's assistant, Peter Taylor. Taylor issued a stark ultimatum: change or leave.
Robertson heeded the warning. While not completely reforming his off-pitch habits, he dedicated himself enough to allow his sublime two-footed skill, imagination, and hard work to flourish. Under Clough's management, Forest completed a fairytale rise, winning the First Division in 1978, just a year after promotion from the second tier.
International Acclaim and Coaching Success
On the international stage, Robertson earned 28 caps for Scotland. He scored the winning goal in a famous Home Championship victory over England at Wembley in May 1981 and also netted at the 1982 World Cup in Spain during a 5-2 win over New Zealand.
After retiring, Robertson enjoyed a highly successful coaching career, most notably as assistant to his former Forest teammate Martin O'Neill at Celtic for five years. Together they won three league titles and reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final. He also worked with O'Neill at Leicester City, Aston Villa, and other clubs.
In a heartfelt statement, Nottingham Forest said: "We are heartbroken... A true great of our club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled talent, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten." Tributes have also been paid by Derby County, where he had a spell, and the Scottish national team.
Clough's unique praise perhaps sums him up best. Before the 1980 final, when asked how Forest would handle Hamburg's star right-back, he simply replied: "We have got a little fat guy who will turn him inside out." History proved Clough, as so often, absolutely right. John Robertson's name is etched in football folklore.
