Former Scottish striker John Robertson, nicknamed “Picasso” by coach Brian Clough, has died at the age of 72, Nottingham Forest, the club with which he was twice European champion, announced on Thursday.
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“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of John Robertson, a Nottingham Forest legend and beloved friend,” the club said in a statement. “A true icon of our club and two-time European Cup winner, John will forever be remembered for his unrivaled talent, humility and unwavering dedication to Nottingham Forest,” he added.
Born on January 20, 1953 in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Robertson joined Nottingham Forest at the age of 17. The arrival of Brian Clough as manager in 1975 saw him change positions from midfielder to left winger.
Robertson was part of the team that took Forest to the English Premier League in 1977. In a short time, the club became champions of England (1978) and won the European Cup twice (1979 and 1980). Clough said Robertson was “one of the best wingers we’ve ever seen, as talented as the Brazilians or the Italians”.
“You gave him a ball and a yard of grass, and he was an artist. The Picasso of our sport,” he said, giving him a nickname that stuck with him until the end of his life.
For the Scottish national team, John Robertson played 28 matches and scored 8 goals. He represented his country at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and the 1982 World Cup in Spain. After his glory years at Forest, he signed for Derby County in 1983 before returning to Nottingham.
As a manager, he worked as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill at Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa.
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