When Hearts legend John Robertson was a Liverpool target

John Robertson was wanted by Liverpool in 1984. Picture: SNS

Back in 1984, the Anfield Joe Fagan was looking to “raid the Scottish transfer market”, according to the copy of Shoot! magazine on February 25.

Robertson and then St Mirren striker Frank McAvennie were top of the list for scout Geoff Twentyman to assess.

Liverpool were on course for their third consecutive English title but had been knocked out of the FA Cup in a shock 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of January which had prompted the desire for the team to be freshened up.

The English giants, of course, had previous for signing Scottish players. In 2006, Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish was voted the player who had the biggest impact on the club, while the likes of Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness captained the side.

Eyes on Robertson

The 1983/84 season was the first where Robertson, aged just 19, was a regular throughout the campaign having made his debut for the club during the 1981/82 season against Queen of the South in the second tier where he partnered brother Chris in attack for 12 minutes.

He had played a pivotal role in the promotion to the top-flight in 1982/82, scoring 13 goals in the final 11 games of the campaign as the team finished a point behind St Johnstone.

At the time of the Shoot! article, the teenage ace had netted 15 times and would go on to finish the season with 21 goals as Hearts returned to the top-flight with a fifth place finish.

The report also suggested Celtic were interested in the striker.

A transfer to Liverpool wouldn’t materialise but Robertson’s scoring prowess continued to be noticed by clubs from England.

He would eventually be snapped up by Newcastle United in April 1988 for £625,000 before rejoining Hearts later that season.

Robertson is in the hearts and minds of all supporters at the moment with the club’s top scorer on compassionate leave from Inverness CT following a family bereavement.

Hearts face the Highlanders on Friday night with former winger Neil McCann placed in temporary charge.

The full Shoot! article read:

“League Champions Liverpool are ready to raid the Scottish transfer market after their shock F.A. Cup at Second Division Brighton.

"Following the success of Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Steve Nicol at Anfield, manager Joe Fagan has instructed chief scout Geoff Twentyman to step up his search for bargain buys from Scotland.

“And the first two to come under Twentyman’s scrutiny will be Frank McAvennie, St. Mirren’s Scottish Under-21 striker, and Hearts’ ace marksman John Robertson.

"But neither will come cheaply.

"St. Mirren have already rejected a £200,000 bid from Luton Town for McAvennie this season, while Robertson still has another two years of his Hearts contract to run.

"And Liverpool can expect to face stiff opposition from Celtic, who have also been watching both young stars very closely in recent weeks.

"Others interesting Celtic boss David Hay include Manchester United's out of favour striker Scott McGarvey, Liverpool’s reserve defender John McGregor and Distillery full-back Anton Rogan.”