Aston Villa aiming to snare Hull and Scotland star Andrew Robertson
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Should Aston Villa (12/1 with Coral to fall through the trap door), emerge unscathed from the Premier League relegation battle, new coach Tim Sherwood is expected to loosen the purse strings and poach Hull City full back Andrew Robertson.
The Scotland defender has dazzled since Gordon Strachan threw him into the senior international fray, grabbing two goals in five caps, including a memorable consolation strike against England away at Wembley.
Robertson’s rampant displays down the left flank for his nation, as well as his tenacious outings for the Tigers, for whom he has made 22 appearances and provided two assists, have reportedly attracted interest from Premier League big-guns.
The Villans, however, appear to be at the front of the queue for the left back’s services and could stave off competition by offering regular game time, as Sherwood seeks to rebuild his side in the summer.
Currently, the Midlands men (9/4 to win the FA Cup) sit just one point above Hull, who are still dangling perilously over the drop zone despite recent encouraging results.
After starting the season as a regular, Robertson has played a full 90 minutes just once in the Tigers’ last eight league outings, so the Villans could be successful should they try to raid the KC Stadium this summer.
Speaking earlier this campaign, following Robertson’s swashbuckling start, Hull boss Steve Bruce already seemed resigned to losing the flying full back, and stated: “There has already been one or two with phone calls asking ‘to keep me informed’. That’s always the first stage.
“If this kid keeps performing the way he is then it might become inevitable,” added the ex-Manchester United skipper and centre back.
Still only 21, Glasgow-born Robertson first caught the eye in his home country, where he played for both Celtic and Queen’s Park during his youth career, before impressive outings for the Spiders’ senior side saw him snapped up by Dundee United.
After being crowned PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year last season, the talented defender’s rise to prominence continued as Hull splashed a modest fee of around £2.85m on the starlet.
Having adapted to life in England excellently, Robertson could now land the Tigers a pretty penny, with Sherwood said to be willing to fork out £12m for the exciting youngster.
Much, however, will depend on Villa’s status as top tier side come May, though Robertson would be an excellent acquisition for the Birmingham-based club, who lack quality at left back, with versatile midfielder Kieran Richardson currently covering that position.
