John Robertson, the former winger for Nottingham Forest and the Scotland national team, has passed away at the age of 72, as confirmed by the Premier League club.
Robertson began and concluded his football journey at the City Ground, interspersed with a period at rivals Derby County. He became a beloved figure at Nottingham Forest, playing a crucial role in their European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
He was responsible for the assist on Trevor Francis’s header, which secured the solitary goal in the victory over Malmo in Munich, marking the club’s first European Cup title.
One year later, Robertson scored the decisive goal in another 1-0 triumph, helping Forest defend their title against Hamburg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
During his international career, which spanned five years, Robertson earned 28 caps for Scotland and participated in the 1982 World Cup.
Following his playing days, he coached alongside former teammate Martin O’Neill at clubs including Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa.
Robertson’s family released a heartfelt statement saying, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. John passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, surrounded by his wife and family, after a lengthy illness. Although we mourn deeply, we find solace in knowing he is now free from suffering and reunited with our daughter Jessica.
“‘Robbo’ was cherished by many as a footballing icon, but to us, he was simply John and dad, a devoted family man… Kind, loving, amusing, and loyal. While our hearts ache, we will always treasure the time we shared and the beautiful memories we created. We will miss him every day and love him eternally.
He is survived by his wife Sharyl, daughter Liz, sons Andrew and Mark, and granddaughters Jess and Phoebe.
Nottingham Forest released a statement expressing their sorrow: “We are heartbroken to announce the death of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson. A true great of our club and a two-time European Cup champion, John’s unparalleled talent, humility, and commitment to Nottingham Forest will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends, and all who admired him. Rest in peace, Robbo… Our greatest.”
Alan Thompson, a former Celtic midfielder, also shared his condolences, stating on X, “I just heard the devastating news that my former assistant manager at Celtic, John Robertson, passed away earlier today. My thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family during this time.”
Celtic Football Club added on social media: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of our former assistant manager, John Robertson. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”