The Scotland skipper felt the Portugal star, who died in July aged 28 following a car crash, was "smiling over" him on Tuesday, as Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 to progress to next year's World Cup.

He told the BBC: "I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits.

"I know the age I'm at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup.

"I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he'll be smiling over me today.

"I'm so glad it's ended up this way. This group of boys, this group of staff - it's the best group I've been involved in."

Robertson admitted it was one of the "greatest nights" of his life after Scotland progressed to the World Cup thanks to two stoppage time goals, and he was delighted that the team made it for the sake of manager Steve Clarke.

He said: "The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable.

"He went through the big moments we've had.

"He said, 'Let's make it another one.'

"We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it'll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.

"That just sums up this squad. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games.

"We put the country through it, but I'm sure it's worth it. We're going to the World Cup."

Scotland were drawing against Denmark as the game headed into injury time.

A draw would've meant Denmark would have qualified for the World Cup instead, but Kieran Tierney put Scotland 3-2 up in the 93rd minute, before Kenny McLean added another one further into stoppage time.