Andy Robertson and Bob MacIntyre tee up Burns Day get-together in Dubai

They are two of Scotland’s most-recognisable sports stars at the moment and mutual respect was thick in the Dubai air as Andy Robertson and Bob MacIntyre met for the first time.

The Burns Day get-together took place at the back of the practice area at Emirates Golf Club after the pair had played in the first of two pro-ams ahead of this week’s Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

If he’d not left it so late in committing to a day on the golf course during a mid-winter break in the Premier League in England, Liverpool left-back Robertson might have been in the same group as his compatriot on the Majlis Course.

Instead, he joined former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel in a group that also included two of his Anfield team-mates, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“It’s not normal to get an opportunity like this, especially the international players as we are normally busy during any breaks,” Robertson told The Scotsman.

“So it’s nice to get out on the golf course and see how the pros go about their business and how it’s meant to be done. I had a good round this morning and enjoyed it.”

Robertson cut his golfing teeth at Cathcart Castle in Glasgow, joining there before he turned 10, and, like two other Liverpool legends, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen, he tries to play whenever he can.

“Any time I go out, I try to enjoy it and have some fun and we certainly enjoyed it this morning with Charl,” he added. “It was incredible to watch how effortless he makes it look when I know it’s a very difficult sport.

“Golf is a definite hobby for me. It’s something I enjoy. It’s a getaway from football and gives me a chance to forget about everything that happens on the football pitch. It allows me to switch off a bit during intense