Charlie Mulgrew still has a big role to play for Scotland, despite losing the captaincy to Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson.

That’s the view of assistant boss Peter Grant after the Rovers skipper saw Robertson become Scotland’s permanent captain ahead of games with Belgium and Albania during the international break.

Alex McLeish handed Mulgrew the captaincy for matches against Costa Rica and Hungary in March after replacing Gordon Strachan as manager, while the defender also led out his country for the defeat to Peru in June.

And despite seeing Robertson take on the responsibility full-time, McLeish's number two says 36-capped Mulgrew still has an important role to play.

He said: “Charlie Mulgrew has been magnificent since we took over, even going to Mexico and Peru. It would have been easy for an experienced player to pull out. He did not do that. He came and led by example.

“He will be a big part in helping Andy – it is difficult, it is not a club side where you are there day in and day out.

“You are leading a group who are meeting up only now and again, who are a mix of different players from different clubs.

“We have the mixture of young and old boys, we just felt we needed someone in they all look up to. There’s no doubt that’s what they do (to Andy) – we are chuffed for him.”

Mulgrew, who scored 14 times for Rovers last season, has already notched three times in six Championship fixtures this term from central defence.

He will look to add to his haul of caps when the Tartan Army host Belgium tomorrow (7.45pm) and then Albania on Tuesday before returning to East Lancashire.

Of taking over from Mulgrew, Robertson said: “It’s a huge honour – one of the biggest you can get as a footballer. When the gaffer told me, I was just delighted. It was a big moment for me and my family, and I’m just looking forward to leading the boys out.

“When it comes to the national team big game experience is one of the key things.

“I can’t tell you why the manager picked me but he’s made the decision and I think that might have been a key factor.

“I am playing at a high level, I’ve played in the Champions League final and lots of important games but I am young enough but been around the squad for a long enough time.

“I’m comfortable with every player in the squad, I’m not too new but I’ve been around long enough.

“From his point of view I think that’s where he’s coming from and I’m delighted he took that thought process.”