Football is in mourning following the death of Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend John Robertson, who has passed away at the age of 72. The club confirmed the news on Thursday, describing him as “a true great of our club” and a player whose talent and humility made him a beloved figure in the game. Robertson passed away peacefully on Christmas Day after a long illness, surrounded by his family. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, clubs, and fans across Britain and beyond.
Robertson was a key member of Brian Clough’s iconic Nottingham Forest side during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He helped the club achieve promotion to the top flight before winning the First Division title in 1978 and played a central role in Forest’s back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980. In the 1979 final in Munich, Robertson provided the decisive assist for Trevor Francis’s winning goal, and a year later he scored the only goal as Forest successfully defended their European crown with a 1–0 win over Hamburg in Madrid. Brian Clough famously described him as “a Picasso of our game,” acknowledging Robertson’s creative genius and his ability to deliver perfectly weighted passes that could unlock defences. Over his career, he made more than 500 appearances for Nottingham Forest across two spells and won multiple domestic honours, including League Cups.
Robertson also represented Scotland 28 times, playing in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cups and scoring memorable goals, including a famous winner against England at Wembley in 1981. After retiring as a player, he enjoyed a successful coaching career, frequently working as assistant manager to former Forest teammate Martin O’Neill at clubs including Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City, Celtic, and Aston Villa.
Nottingham Forest released a statement saying, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson. A true great of our club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled talent, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten.” Former teammates and players who worked with him in coaching have also paid tribute, celebrating Robertson’s character as much as his footballing brilliance.
English