International football digest: Andy Robertson named Scotland captain

Scotland vs. Belgium

• Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow
• When: Friday 7 September
• Kick-off time: 7.45pm

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has been appointed as the new captain of the Scotland national team.

The 24-year-old takes over from Celtic’s Scott Brown, who has retired from international duty, and will wear the armband in the friendly match against Belgium at Hampden Park on Friday night.

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Robertson tweeted that he was “absolutely delighted” to be named captain of Scotland while teammate Leigh Griffiths agreed with the appointment.

Celtic striker Griffiths told the BBC: “The boys are delighted. Andy’s playing at the top level now, he’s playing week in, week out. He’s shown his qualities being a defender and going forward. I don’t think anybody will have any complaints with him being the new captain.”

After the Belgium friendly clash, Scotland will also face Albania in the Uefa Nations League on Monday 10 September (7.45pm start).

Wales vs. Republic of Ireland

• Where: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
• When: Thursday 6 September
• Kick-off time: 7.45pm

Ryan Giggs says his Welsh team will not be going out seeking revenge against the Republic of Ireland.

Wales’s World Cup hopes were ended by the Republic in the qualifying group, but Giggs wants his squad to focus on the future when the two sides meet in the Uefa Nations League on Thursday.

Giggs told the BBC: “When you start thinking about stuff like that it can throw you off track. It is part of my job if there there is anything in their minds about [revenge] - no, get it out of your head.

“We have new players and it is something you have to forget. It is part of football you get bad defeats and sometimes you are unlucky. It was a long time ago, for me it is a new game and it is my job to make sure we perform as best we can on the night.”

On Sunday 9 September Wales travel to Denmark in the Uefa Nations League (5pm kick-off).

England vs. Spain

• Where: Wembley Stadium, London
• When: Saturday 8 September
• Kick-off time: 7.45pm

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling will miss England’s matches against Spain and Switzerland because of a back problem.

Sterling’s withdrawal leaves Gareth Southgate without another of his World Cup strikers after Jamie Vardy was not picked, but the England boss will not call up a replacement for the double-header.

The Three Lions face Spain at Wembley on Saturday and the visitors will be missing a striker of their own after Diego Costa withdrew.

Former Chelsea striker Costa, who now plays for Atletico Madrid, misses the Uefa Nations League clash due to “personal reasons”, Sky Sports reports.

England also face Switzerland at Leicester City on Tuesday 11 September (7.45pm).