Australian scout talent for 2026: Alex Robertson chooses to follow in his family's footsteps

April 4 - Alex Robertson, a box-to-box midfielder, has pledged international allegiance to Australia despite representing England at U17 and U18 level.

The Scottish-born rising star, twice benched for Manchester City this season, followed his father and grandfather in representing the Socceroos.

Robertson turned down the opportunity to play for England, Scotland and Peru - where his mother was born - because he believes in Australian head coach Graham Arnold, who was a surprise success at last year's FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. The Socceroos have reached the round of 16 of Qatar 2022, beaten 2-1 by eventual champions Argentina.

Robertson's call-up for back-to-back March friendlies against Ecuador is a step in the right direction for the Socceroos to improve their world ranking from No.38. He was one of four unselected players included in the squad, along with the Melbourne City duo of Jordan Bos and Aiden O'Neill as well as Adelaide shot-stopper Joe Gauci.

The Sydney-raised teenager, who represented the Socceroos at U15 level, got off to a winning start in a coveted gold shirt as the hosts subjected new Ecuador head coach Felix Sanchez to a losing start .

Robertson joined the action as a 62nd-minute substitute for attacking midfielder Keanu Baccus and was instrumental in Australia's last goal in a well-deserved 3-1 victory.

However, the 19-year-old was also involved in a fight late in the game, with his father Mark and grandfather Alex watching inside the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, near Sydney. His father played an international match in 2001 and his grandfather represented the Australia B team in 1984.

As Arnold browsed through the plethora of talent at his disposal ahead of Australia's 2026 World Cup campaign later this year, Robertson made enough of an impression to be rested for the second friendly against Ecuador. The Socceroos lost 2-1 inside Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.

Robertson moved to England in 2015 after a trial with Manchester United. Two years later he moved to rivals Manchester City, where he has steadily risen through the ranks and is seen as a future hotshot. He is now a mainstay in City's elite development squad, who are aiming for a third Premier League 2 crown on the rebound.

While Robertson trains regularly with the first team and plays in 8th position like Belgian team-mate Kevin De Bruyne, City head coach Pep Guardiola has this season included the promising youngster twice as a substitute. Robertson warmed up the bench against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.

With City still in contention to win the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League title, Robertson could still have a chance to show off his silky talents this season.

City's FA Cup semi-final clash against little-known Championship side Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on April 22 has Guardiola's side heavily favored to win within 90 minutes, with low odds only 17/100.

Sheffield United have failed to find the back of the net in their last four Premier League meetings with City, losing every game. However, the Blades are second behind runaway Championship leaders Burnley with a real chance of returning to the Premier League for the first time since being relegated at the end of the 2020/21 season.

The four-time FA Cup winners, according to most sites listed on Australian bookmaker reviews, look unlikely to tackle another final. They are priced with a generous 12/1 outside shot to topple City in 90 minutes….