Photo: Scottish Government / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Andy Robertson spoke to reporters in Auckland on Saturday ahead of Tottenham's pre-season match against Auckland FC at Eden Park, their first Premier League club visit to New Zealand in some time.
The Scotland captain, who joined Spurs this summer, said he was motivated by the challenge of a new environment after the World Cup. "It was a new challenge that I needed," Robertson said. "Once that was over, then my full focus was on Tottenham and trying to have a good season with them."
Robertson acknowledged he will face competition for the left-back position from Destiny Udozie, Djed Spence and Souza, but said that was nothing new. "You go to big clubs and if you look at all big clubs, you don't have it easy in any position," he said. "I've been used to this for the last nine years."
The 32-year-old was direct about Tottenham's recent Premier League struggles, noting the club had been "down the wrong end of the table" for two consecutive seasons. "Last season, I think everyone will admit, it was too close for comfort," he said.
Robertson said the squad was united around reversing that trend. "As long as everyone's pulling in the same direction, everyone's competing, then I think we've got a squad that can be a lot higher up than where they were."
Tottenham face Auckland FC at Eden Park on Sunday at 4am UK time, the opening fixture of their pre-season tour.