Finlay Robertson, born in that unforgettable year of 2002, parades himself on the football field as a central midfielder for Dundee, reaching, on a tall day, 5ft 7in (1.71m). His slender 11 stone (70kg) frame defies the stereotype of a bulking, hulking midfielder, as do his soft boyish looks. And #19, oh how he wears it, like a fallen star back on the rise.
But don't let his tender age of 22 fool you. The lad is worth around €200k. Indeed, indeed, according to Transfermarkt, he's potentially worth one heck of a night out - around £170,000 to be precise. His contract with Dundee has its door half open; 4 months from declaring freedom or perhaps an extension to the torturous vows taken, set to expire on the rather final date of 31 May 2025.
He first shuffled into Dundee as a trainee in July 2017, in what was presumably a move inspired by ambition rather than by the assurance of a steady and comfortable career. Ambition, after all, can be one's cruel mistress. Right from the 2018-19 season and culminating in the current 2024-25 season, Robertson has been strutting his stuff in first team matches. The count, incidentally, is now up to 18 first team leagues matches, showing a steady, if not meteoric, rise from one lonesome appearance in his debut season.
In an intriguing twist in September 2021, he was whisked away from Dundee on loan to Cove Rangers. Not exactly the step up one might envision, but then again, who are we to judge football's bizarre dance steps? Apparently, that dance was short-lived, and he returned to Dundee in January 2022 paying no attention to all those pointing and laughing behind his back.
His recent contributions to the League Cup 2024-25 and Scottish Cup 2024-25, with a commendable total of four and one starts respectively, and a smattering of substitute appearances, deserves an honourable, though curt, mention.
Yet, no stories of heroic tackles, miraculous goals or sublime passes grace Robertson's tale. Perhaps it's all yet to come. Perhaps not. It's a tale that in its quiet unassuming way reflects an aspect of football, just turned 22, and still trying to find its feet in a harsh and unforgiving world.
