Scotland and Nottingham Forest legend John Robertson dies aged 72 as tributes paid to ex-Celtic coach

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City Ground side say his exploits will never be forgottenFormer Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger John Robertson has died at the age of 72, the Premier League club have announced.Robertson, who won 28 caps for Scotland and represented his country at the 1982 World Cup, became a cult hero at Forest after playing an integral part in the club’s European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.Robertson delivered the cross for Trevor Francis to head home the only goal against Swedish outfit Malmo in Munich as Brian Clough’s side lifted the European Cup for the first time.John Robertson won 28 caps for Scotland.Twelve months later, Robertson was on the scoresheet in another 1-0 victory as Forest successfully defended their European crown against Hamburg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.Born in Viewpark, Lanarkshire, Robertson earned 28 caps for Scotland and scored eight goals during his five-year international career, which included playing at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.A statement from Forest read: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson.“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.“Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and all who loved him.“Rest in Peace, Robbo… Our greatest.”Robertson also played for Derby County and once his playing career ended, he moved into coaching.He became a dedicated assistant to Martin O’Neill and was part of the Northern Irishman’s coaching team at Leicester City, Celtic and Forest.Forest winger John Robertson with the European Cup after their 1-0 victory in the 1979 European Cup Final between Malmo and Nottingham Forest at the Olympic Stadium.Robertson played for O’Neill at non-league Grantham, got a job under him selling insurance, then, after a spell as Grantham manager himself, was a scout for him at Wycombe, Norwich and Leicester.By the time the pair left for Celtic in 2000, Robertson was O’Neill’s right-hand man and he bought a house back in Uddingston.“He was a special (coaching) partner, no question about that,” O’Neill recalled in 2024 when Robertson was featured in BBC Scotland’s Icons of Football series. “People, for want of a better phrase, bought into John, they really did.

There was something about him.”Robertson’s final job in football was Aston Villa assistant manager from 2006 to 2010.Robertson is survived by daughter Elisabeth and second wife Sharyl and their children, Andrew and Mark.