Robinson insists Covid-19 storm did not distract him

Callum Robinson has insisted finding himself at the centre of last year's Covid-19 storm did not distract him from his mission to score goals for Ireland. The 27-year-old West Brom striker was thrust into the spotlight in October last year when he revealed during a press conference that he had declined a vaccination against coronavirus, prompting headlines around the world. Days later, he did his talking on the pitch, scoring the opening two goals in the 3-0 win in Azerbaijan - he celebrated with fingers in ears - and then followed it up three days later with a friendly hat-trick against Qatar. Asked to describe those few days as he faced the media for the first time since on Monday, Robinson said: "It was different. "But to be fair, I didn't think it was that big a thing and then it blew up. But I just wanted to get on the pitch really and do my thing and let my football do the talking." The Ireland squad closed ranks around the frontman at the time with defender John Egan mounting a stout defence of his team-mate's stance. Robinson, who declined to reveal whether he had changed his mind over vaccination since, said: "It wasn't even a conversation of whether I was right for the Saturday, it was just, 'How are you? Are you OK? We are here for you if you need anything'.

"From the staff to the players, they all just wanted to make sure I was OK, not for the game, just to make sure my head was all right - and honestly, my head was fine, perfectly fine. "This comes with football. As I said, I just wanted to produce for the boys and for the staff over those two games, because they were there for me if I actually needed them. "But I did feel like I was fine and I just went to crack on and do my thing on the pitch. I'm happy