By Gareth James
Alex Robertson came up through the Manchester City ranks rubbing shoulders with the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer but now he’s just looking forward to his first 90 minutes of Championship action.
The Scottish-born, Australian-raised midfielder signed a four year deal with Cardiff City in the summer, leaving the Etihad for £1m after six years in the light blue camp.
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Loan spells at Ross County and League One Portsmouth gave him a taste for first team football and on Saturday he hopes to notch his first full 90 minutes in the Championship when the Bluebirds host Middlesbrough.
“Manchester City played a big part in my development and helped me to get where I am today. I joined them from Man United in the U15s, went on two loan spells and now find myself at Cardiff,” said the 21-year-old Robertson.
“It’s a big club with a tough pathway, and if you get through you are doing really well. If not, you have to try to navigate your way to the top via another way.
“Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis are boys I played and trained with who have done it. You get inspiration from them.
“But if it doesn’t come off for you, then you have to go find something else and try to get to the top from a different route. It feels really good for me here at Cardiff and I’ve loved my time here so far.”
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Robertson played an hour from the start in the Carabao Cup win over Bristol Rovers and the South Wales derby at Swansea last weekend.
Then he picked up his first goal in the 5-3 Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton on Wednesday, coming on at half-time.
Now, he is looking forward to playing his first full game of the year having been forced to fight back from surgery on a freak hamstring injury picked up four days into the New Year in training at Portsmouth.
“I had a nasty injury in January. I was doing well and then to have my normal life taken away from me was tough mentally,” added Robertson, who has won two caps for the Socceroos.
“We were playing a small-sided game in training and the ball was running out of play. I tried backheeling the ball to a teammate and as soon as my foot hit the floor there was a massive pop in the hamstring in my right leg.
“I fell to the floor and could hardly move my leg, and for the first time in my life, I needed surgery. The surgeon took before and after photos and, when it was cut open, it looked like a bomb had gone off in there.
“I couldn’t get out of bed for weeks, was unable to move and dependent on someone doing something for me all the time.
“But I believe everything happens for a reason and that was meant to happen to make me stronger. I’m back now and ready to kick on.”
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