Russell Anderson retires from international hockey

Russell Anderson has retired from international hockey after 95 caps and three goals for Scotland. Anderson represented Scotland at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and won EuroHockey Championship II in Glasgow, in a career that saw him play in many EuroHockey and FIH tournaments.

Anderson said, “Retiring is not something I particularly want to do but it’s the right time to retire, and I always promised that I’d stop when I had a family. I’ll miss playing for Scotland. I always loved the challenge and being part of a really good group of lads, and there’s great emerging talent within the squad which I’m excited to see. I knew the Euro qualifiers in the summer would be my last and all my family came to my last game, which was a really nice way to finish.”

It was an email sent by Anderson’s club coach John Bell asking the Scotland coaches to ‘take a look’, that kick started his international career. Anderson explained, “The squad was strong but I was invited to a session anyway; Derek Forsyth took the session and it was on a different level to anything I’d ever experienced. The speed and intensity was unreal. I always stayed with my granny when I came up for training and the morning after that first training session I was slower than her!”

Anderson soon made his debut against Ireland in the Celtic Cup, and the call up was as daunting as it was exciting for the defender. He recalled, “Russell Garcia ended up selecting me for the Celtic Cup and I was really nervous, in fact I was terrified. I roomed with Chris Nelson, who looked after me, and had a really good experience with the team.”

World League 1 in Portugal in 2014 was his first major tournament for the Blue Sticks, and a great experience, especially considering Scotland won and qualified for the next round of world league. EuroHockey Championship II was the next big tournament for Anderson in 2015, before competing in World League in Glasgow, Belfast and London as the Scots progressed to the semi-finals.

Russell’s commitment to Scotland was always exceptional, travelling long distances to take part in training and he even slept in his car in the Bellahouston car park once. He explained, “I never thought I’d play for Scotland, and I certainly didn’t ever think I’d do all the things I’ve done with Scotland. I lived really far away so I used to drive up after work for training and stop for a sleep in my car in layby’s or service stations, and then stay at my granny’s house who lived in Scotland. My family is Scottish and there’s so much passion for me representing Scotland in my family, it’s been such a privilege.

“I just loved the speed and intensity of training, and I loved being pushed. I loved playing against really good players to see if I could get the ball off them.”

As a defender there weren’t many goals in Russell’s career, and he calls himself defensive minded on the pitch with a love of the tactical side of the game. The goals he did score for Scotland were memorable for different reasons. He said, “My first goal was against Czech Republic. I played the ball to Patch Christie and it came back to me, then I went round two players and scored. I surprised myself! “Patch was involved in my second goal for Scotland as well, it seems he’s the common denominator in my goals. It was at World League 1, I crossed the ball from the baseline and I thought Patch scored, but it came off the defender and was given to me. Not a classic, but I’ll take it.”

In 2017 Scotland played EuroHockey Championship II on home soil at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre in a tournament that would be momentous for the team. After many years of trying Scotland finally gained qualification to A Division in a gold medal winning week in Glasgow. Anderson recalled, “The 2017 Euros in Glasgow is a great memory. Being part of that team was amazing and to win the tournament in front of the big crowd in Glasgow will live with me forever. My family were all there too, these are the best bits about playing for Scotland.”

A year later and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games saw Anderson recover from injury to be selected for the matches against Australia; New Zealand; South Africa; and Canada. A tremendous 4-2 win over South Africa got the tournament off to a winning start before a narrow defeat to Canada and tough losses to Australia and New Zealand. Scotland eventually finished the tournament in sixth spot. Anderson said:

“I always wanted to play at a Commonwealth Games and Gold Coast lived up to everything I hoped it would be. I actually played through the build up with a hernia because I was desperate to stay in the team, then a gap opened up so I could get surgery and recover in time for selection in Spain.

“I got selected and Gold Coast was a dream. I always listened to the stories about what it’s like to be at a Commonwealth Games, the experience of the village and everything, but it’s all true. The experience was amazing, and we played some good stuff although we didn’t get all the results we hoped for. It was special to be part of it.”

The final time for Anderson to pull on a Scotland shirt came in the recent EuroHockey qualifiers, also on home soil. It brings to a close a great career for a great servant to the men’s Scotland national team.

Paying tribute to Russell’s contribution to the Scotland Men’s National Team, Head Coach Derek Forsyth said, “Russell’s commitment to the senior men’s programme over the years has been unfaltering. Having played in numerous tournaments throughout his time playing against some of the best teams in the world has been just reward for his dedication to Scotland.

“He has been an excellent role model both on and off the pitch. I know Russell will be looking forward to having more time to spend with his wife Marika and son Oisein and wish him all the very best in whatever the future holds for him.”

Russell said, “There are so many people for me to thank. I definitely need to give a big thank you to Derek Forsyth and Graham Moodie, they’ve both known me the longest and have been amazing. Dave Reid and all the coaches and support staff down the years – there are so many great people who have supported me and I wish I could mention them all. Heather Binnington and Emma Traynor were a massive help with rehab for the Gold Coast. Also School, Repton Prep, particularly the PE Department, have been a great support. And a huge thank you to all my family for putting up with me driving up to Scotland so much over the years, and always being there for me.”

A huge congratulations from all at Scottish Hockey to Russell Anderson on a fantastic Scotland career.

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