Paul Lambert hopes that Liverpool’s Andy Robertson can write his own bit of history

PAUL LAMBERT was the last Scot to win the Champions League, and he hopes Andrew Robertson can sample the same feeling he did 21 years ago.

Lambert played in and won a Final, although Darren Fletcher was an unused sub for Manchester United in their 2008 success over Chelsea.

He was a pivotal part of Borussia Dortmund’s success against Juventus in 1997, and was hailed for his impressive man-marking job on the Juve superstar, Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane is involved again this year, as the head coach of Real Madrid who face Liverpool in Kiev on May 26.

The Spanish giants are slight favourites to retain club football’s most-prestigious trophy, but Lambert isn’t for ruling out Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside marvels.

The Stoke City manager, whose side lost their battle to avoid relegation yesterday, told The Sunday Post: “I have been very fortunate during my career to have played for some wonderful football clubs and achieve some truly memorable moments.

“Winning the Champions League takes a bit of beating. You need to find the time to take a deep breath and savour the moment.

“I will be watching this year’s Final, and it’s great to have a bit of Scottish interest in there with Andrew Robertson.

“The lad has had a remarkable season and showed his true ability.

“He arrived from Hull City last summer and had to be patient. By all accounts, he got his head down and worked away hard in training and took his chance at left-back when it was presented to him.

“Any manager or player that works with him is full of praise for his professionalism and attitude. That speaks volumes.

“He can also more than hold his own on the park in any company.

“So I wish Andrew the very best of luck. It would be fantastic to see another Scotsman win the Champions League.

“But, of course, they face the might of Real Madrid. They have Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and many more in their team.

“They have also won the Cup in the past two years and have vast experience in their line-up.

“However, defensively, they will also have to be in really good form to stop Liverpool’s attacking force.

“Mo Salah has been in incredible goalscoring form. He has been very, very impressive.

“What we also know is that it should be an open and entertaining game. Both teams love to attack and it has all the makings of an absolute classic. Let’s hope so.”

Lambert took his Stoke side to Anfield last Saturday and held them to a 0-0 draw.

But Lambert has been impressed with the way Klopp has developed the Reds team in the past two years and has always had a keen interest in the German’s career, especially with him being a former head coach of Dortmund.

Lambert said: “I have kept in touch with quite a few people from my time in Germany, and have also been back to the country many, many times to visit and learn from coaches and technical directors.

“In the past few years, Jurgen has worked incredibly well and I have the highest regard for him.

“He is a brilliant coach and man-manager, and is also a wonderfully warm person.

“I wish him all the very best in the Final.”

The Champions League success came during a golden period in Lambert’s career.

Just six months later, he left Germany to move back to Scotland and join Celtic in a £2m transfer.

He then helped Wim Jansen’s team stop Rangers from doing 10-in-a-row, before being part of the Scotland squad at the 1998 World Cup Finals in France.

Lambert recalled: “I look back on my career, and I know I’ve been so lucky.

“I’ve had so many good players for team-mates, so many outstanding coaches in charge of the teams I’ve played in and fantastic supporters.

“Listen, the title success with Celtic in 1998 was wonderful.

“It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago.

“We’ll always be in the club’s history books for that one. It was very, very special.

“I was then fortunate enough to play for Scotland in the World Cup, and the opening game against Brazil in Paris was an amazing experience.

“So, yes, all in all, I’ve been lucky.

“But it’s not just been about the glory and the headline moments.

“I had a great career at St Mirren – winning the Scottish Cup in 1987 – and Motherwell, and they gave me the grounding to prepare me for what I achieved.

“I will never forget the contribution both clubs made to my career.”