John Robertson, Nottingham Forest and Scotland Legend, Dies Aged 72
John Robertson, a legendary figure for Nottingham Forest and Scotland, has died aged 72. Born in Uddingston in January 1953, Robertson began his football journey at Drumchapel Amateur before joining Forest in 1970. A key player for Brian Clough's side, he made over 500 appearances and scored 95 goals during his Forest career. Robertson notably provided the assist for Trevor Francis in the 1979 European Cup final and scored the winning goal in the 1980 final against Hamburg, contributing to Forest's back-to-back European Cup triumphs.
He earned 28 caps for Scotland, scoring the winner against England at Wembley in May 1981 and netting a goal in a 5-2 victory over New Zealand at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. After leaving Forest for Derby in 1983, he returned to Forest for a season in 1985 before moving down the divisions and eventually retiring. Robertson's development and discipline improved after a 1976 meeting with assistant manager Peter Taylor.
Following his playing career, he spent five years as assistant manager to Martin O'Neill at Celtic, during which Celtic won three league titles and reached the Uefa Cup final. Nottingham Forest issued a statement mourning his death as a heartbreaking loss, a double European Cup winner, and a true great, extending their thoughts to his family and loved ones.
