Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sachin Nakrani

John Robertson, Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, dies aged 72

John Robertson, Ian Bowyer and Kenny Burns celebrate Nottingham Forest’s 1979 European Cup final victory over Malmo in Munich
John Robertson (left), Ian Bowyer and Kenny Burns celebrate Nottingham Forest’s 1979 European Cup final victory over Malmö in Munich. Robertson delivered the cross that led to Trevor Francis’s winning goal. Photograph: AP

John Robertson, the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, has died at the age of 72. Robertson was a hugely important part of the great Forest team that under Brian Clough rose from the second tier of English football to win multiple major honours, most famously back-to-back European Cups.

Robertson set up the decisive goal in the first European Cup triumph in 1979 and scored the winning goal in the second, contributions that mark him out as one of the most remarkable players in British football history. He earned 28 Scotland caps, notably scoring the winning goal in a Home Championship victory over England at Wembley in May 1981. Clough described him as “the Picasso of our game”.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.