sports
December 26, 2025
John Robertson was a ‘scruffy, unfit’ genius who did not get the kudos he deserved
Forest great was loved in Nottingham but underappreciated in Scotland before going on to thrive as a coach
TL;DR
- John Robertson was a highly skilled footballer, described as a genius, who excelled with both feet and delivered wondrous crosses.
- He was a favorite of manager Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and played a key role in two European Cup final goals.
- Robertson was adored in Nottingham, but his talent was underappreciated in Scotland.
- He transitioned to coaching, working alongside Martin O'Neill at several clubs and earning player trust.
- Robertson faced personal tragedies, including the deaths of his brother, sister-in-law, and daughter.
- A transfer to Derby caused a rift between Clough and Peter Taylor, and Robertson regretted the move.
- He is remembered as an adopted hero in Nottingham, having lived there for an extended period.
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