John Robertson: A tribute. The Nottingham Forest legend, who has passed away aged 72, was a joyous, skilful winger who made kids fall in love with the game and reminded adults what the game was really about: beating an opponent with skill and delivering. Above all, Robertson made the game look easy and made it fun to watch. Whatever the occasion. The Forest fans’ banner hanging from a fence at the Bernabeu at the 1980 European Cup final read simply: “Robbo Eats Hamburgers”. Forest’s opponents, Hamburg, boasted many talents, including Kevin Keegan, Felix Magath and also Manny Kaltz, the right wing-back who’d be up against the feared, two-footed winger “Robbo”. Asked about the celebrated Kaltz on the eve of the final, Brian Clough replied, “We’ve got a little fat guy that will turn him inside out – a very talented, highly skilled, unbelievable outside-left.” Robertson needed only 20 minutes to turn Kaltz and waltz through, exchange passes with Garry Birtles, and score the final’s only goal. Even a defender as good as Kaltz couldn’t handle Robertson. The “Picasso of our game” Clough called Robertson. His colourful brushstrokes vivified the green canvas of match-day. His distinctive flourishes in possession helped define the previous European Cup final against Malmo in Munich. Robertson picked up the ball on the left touchline, and nudged it forward with his right, feinting to go inside, confusing Malmo’s right-back, Roland Andersson. Robertson then drove for the line, catching out Andersson and also Robert Prytz, the midfielder racing back. At the last second, as the white of the goal-line loomed, Robertson lifted the ball across for a stooping Trevor Francis to head Forest to that 1979 victory. Andersson had represented Sweden at the World Cup the previous year. Within four weeks of succumbing to Robertson, Kaltz was winning Euro 1980 with West Germany. These were experienced, elite defenders. The joy of John Robertson was not simply the effortless way he eluded defenders of their calibre but that he delivered in major moments. Nothing fazed him. He took pressure, as well as the ball, in his stride. Robertson’s goal against Hamburg was one of 73 he scored in his career. The Scot delighted Forest fans with his trickery and the thrills he gave them but also because he brought trophies: those two European Cups, one League title, and two League Cups. It is no exaggeration to claim that if Robertson had been at a more fashionable club he’d have featured in European Footballer of the Year voting. He wasn’t even in the top 30 in 1979 (won by Keegan) or 1980 (won by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge). Kaltz came fourth and 10th. Robertson deserved some recognition, certainly in the top 10. He may not have been the greatest Nottingham Forest player of all time – but he was in the top one. Apologies for the reworking of Clough’s famous assessment of himself but it applies well to Robertson, one of his favourite players. It brings humour and fact. It also reflects his close association with Clough, who believed in Robertson and helped lift him to great heights. A 2015 fans’ poll by the Nottingham Post confirmed his place as Forest's greatest ever player. Robertson finished ahead of second-placed Stuart Pearce, then Des Walker, John McGovern and Peter Shilton. In the modern era where wingers are often considered a luxury not a staple, and all about speed as much as skill (and often inverted), it feels even more poignant to lament the sad passing of Robertson. He was two-footed for a start, so full-backs didn’t know which side he would go. He could go outside as Andersson learned to his cost in 1979 or come inside on his right, as Kaltz discovered painfully in 1980. Robertson was described as “scruffy, unfit”, not looking like a professional athlete, not least by Clough. “When you get the ball, just give it to the fat lad on the left,” Clough would tell the team. He was stocky more than fat. You don’t turn out for Forest on 243 consecutive occasions between 1976 and 1980 without fitness, fortitude and ability. But even with the occasional cigarette supplementing his diet, Robertson had more than enough to defeat a full-back, he had strength, trickery, enough of a dart to beat his man outside or on the inside as well as applying his game craft. He was a roving puzzle for opponents. It’s fitting to see many of the tributes coming in from Liverpool fans of a certain vintage who remember how Robertson so often took the game to their accomplished right-back, the experienced Phil Neal, of that great Liverpool side. One famous European Cup tie, the first leg against Liverpool in 1978, Robertson didn’t assist or score but those who were there at the City Ground remember one particular storming run down the left before cutting the ball back for Colin Barrett’s shot saved by Ray Clemence. Robertson made things happen. He was another from the dream factory of Drumchapel Amateurs that helped shape Sir Alex Ferguson, Eddie McCreadie, Archie Gemmill and John Wark. He represented Scotland in an era stocked with talent. Jock Stein’s 1982 World Cup squad included Kenny Dalglish, Gordon Strachan, Graeme Souness, Davie Provan and Robertson, amongst others. They didn't always see the best of him but he scored eight times in 28 internationals, including a penalty winner past Joe Corrigan to defeat England at Wembley in 1981. Humility was a word long associated with Robertson. Loyalty, too. Loyalty to Forest, and also loyalty to Martin O’Neill, who he played with at Forest and assisted everywhere from Wycombe Wanderers to Norwich City and Leicester City, from Celtic to Aston Villa - providing stellar service. What a player and coach John Robertson was, and what a wonderful character who will be much missed. RIP.