Hearts legend John Robertson will be at Tynecastle on Saturday as Robbie Neilson’s side are presented with the Championship trophy.
Robertson is Hearts’ all-time leading goalscorer and the former Scotland striker has also managed the club. Ahead of Saturday’s game with Rangers, which is live on Sky Sports at 12.15pm, he goes under the SPFL Spotlight.
What was the best goal you ever scored?
That was my first ever goal for Hearts against Hibs back in September 1983 at Tynecastle. I pulled the ball down before cutting inside Jackie McNamara senior and curling the ball past Alan Rough and in via the underside of the bar.
What was the best game you played in?
I have two, including the game when I scored my first goal for Hearts against Hibs. We were behind twice in that game and came back to win it 3-2. My other favourite game was my debut for Scotland when we beat a very good Romania side 2-1 at Hampden in a Euro 92 qualifier. I scored the equaliser which was a good way to mark my first game.
What was your favourite away ground?
I always enjoyed playing against Dundee United at Tannadice. It had a good atmosphere with seven or eight thousand people in it but it was always rocking when it went to 11-12 thousand. I always enjoyed Easter Road, Parkhead and Ibrox as well but Tannadice wins it - probably because I had a good scoring record there.
What is your favourite other sport?
I am a bit of a golf addict. I try and play once or twice a fortnight and I really enjoy it. I have a handicap of six, which is pretty decent.
Which player in the world would you like to have played with?
I actually played against the two players I would have loved to have had as team-mates. I came up against Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini when I came on as a substitute for Scotland against Italy in a goalless draw in a World Cup qualifier at Ibrox. I would have loved it if they had ended up at Hearts!
What was your favourite pre-match meal?
For away games I always had a chicken omelette which probably would not be allowed nowadays. However, the two rolls of bacon and mayonnaise that I had before home games would probably not be allowed now either!
What is your favourite music?
I have never been that big into music and would prefer to listen to a sports programme if I had a choice. The stuff that the U17 squad at Hearts listens to, Gangsta rap I am told it is called, is horrible! I would say that if I have a favourite then it has to be easy listening.
Who was the biggest moaner that you played with?
It is a tie between Colin Cameron and David Bingham. Colin was unbelievable as everything was either too warm or too cold and the grass was either too short or too long. All I can say about David is that he liked a good gurn and then some!
Who was your most skilful team-mate?
Allan Johnston was unbelievable when he burst on to the scene as he had all the tricks but the best ever was John Colquhoun. He had everything and he did it at pace.
Who was your worst dressed team-mate?
That is a difficult one to choose as I played in the 1980s when we all just wore shell-suits! The best dressed was Maurice Johnston, and Willie Johnston deserves a mention as he always turned up in a suit, collar and tie as that is what he wore at Rangers. A few times he went home with a jacket that was minus a sleeve and we never knew who the culprit was!
Who was the best trainer?
There were four guys at Hearts that could just turn out mile after mile of work. Craig Levein, John Colquhoun, Neil Berry and Kenny Black all worked incredibly hard. They had a great appetite for training and used to cruise through sessions.
Who was the best dancer?!
I would not know as I never went to a nightclub when I played at Hearts, honest! From what I have been told, I will go for Jimmy Sandison and Scott Crabbe as they used to work on routines to celebrate goals on the pitch and would have done like-wise on a Saturday night.
Craig Stewart
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