John Robertson, Brian Clough's 'genius' behind Nottingham Forest's European glory | OneFootball

John Robertson, the winger Brian Clough lauded as Nottingham Forest’s genius, has died aged 72. He created the 1979 European Cup winner and struck the 1980 decider. According to Telegraph, Clough used that description.

Raised in Lanarkshire, Robertson joined Forest at 15 but struggled as the club slipped into the Second Division. He later admitted his professionalism was lacking. Clough’s arrival in 1975 and Peter Taylor’s in 1976 proved the turning point.

From December 1976 to December 1980 he played 243 consecutive games on the left, hard to dispossess, with sharp vision and precise crosses.

Forest were promoted in 1977, then won the 1978 title. In 1979 he crossed for Trevor Francis to win the European Cup against Malmo.

In 1980 he showed resolve, scoring a header at Cologne two days after family funerals as Forest came from two down. In the final against Hamburg he cut inside Manny Kaltz and scored via the post.

Capped 28 times for Scotland, he scored eight goals including a 1981 Wembley penalty against England. He played at the 1982 World Cup, scoring against New Zealand.

He left Forest in 1983 for Derby to reunite with Taylor, later returned without recapturing form, and finished in non-league.

He assisted Martin O’Neill at Wycombe, Leicester, Aston Villa and Celtic, helping a 2001 treble, later living with Parkinson’s disease.

His daughter Jessica died aged 13. He is survived by his daughter Liz from his first marriage to Sally, his second wife Sharyl, and sons Andrew and Mark.

Source: Telegraph