Vincent Kompany reveals his admiration for Andy Robertson and how he signed him on Football Manager

Andy Robertson's rise has been meteoric

Five years ago, Andy Robertson was playing amateur football, working at Scotland's national stadium to earn a few extra quid. When Belgium came to town in 2013, Robertson handed a match programme to Vincent Kompany and posed for a photograph with the Belgian centre-back. Kompany remembers that night well, and has watched with awe as Roberton has risen through the ranks from amateur, to professional, to Champions League finalist and Scotland captain. Kompany even signed the Liverpool defender on computer game Football Manager, such is his admiration for the player. "Sometimes, you see people and you remember the face or the moment. He probably doesn't know this, but I did remember him," said Kompany.

"Most of us in football have come from humble backgrounds. Whatever way you get there, it is just great to see him doing well," he added.

"Andy is now playing to such a high level with Liverpool and now he is captain of his country. He has come a long way in a short space of time.

"I do think he is a great example. If you look at every single club, you will find a lot of young lads coming through who probably used to be ball boys or something.

"If you have work rate and desire and ability like him, it is not so much of a surprise. It is natural progress.

"A few people over the years have mentioned the fact he handed me that programme. I don't know why, but I just remembered him.

"I knew of him when he was playing in Scotland even before he joined Hull City.

"I play Football Manager, so I was well aware of him. I actually signed him back then because good left-backs are hard to come by. I took a gamble on him, but it paid off."

Scotland lost 4-0 to Belgium in a friendly on Friday evening, in Roberton's first game as Scotland captain.