After managing a football team amid a background of war, taking on the reins at Peterhead must seem like tranquillity for David Robertson.
The former Aberdeen and Rangers defender is preparing to make his first strides in Scottish football in 15 years, having returned to his native north-east to try and guide the Blue Toon out of the mire.
It’s after his five-year stint at Real Kashmir, based in disputed north territory, which India, Pakistan and China all lay claim to parts of.
The decision in 2019 to repeal Kashmir’s special status, afforded to it after Indian independence in 1947, in an effort to bring greater economic prosperity to the region brought chaos.
Locals feared their identity was being compromised and soon Indian troops moved in to enforce a crackdown, which has led to ongoing violence with militant groups.
Amid the turmoil, Robertson found serenity in the sport he loves.
Issues at Real Kashmir were largely off the field
“In India a lot of issues were off the field,” he said. “You had 101 things to deal with before you got on the training field.
“The football part was an escape; you want to be out there training players, playing games and the excitement of all of that.
“I had so much to deal with before it got to all that. Whatever I’ve dealt with in India, I’ll never have to deal with anything of that magnitude here.
“The experiences have been fantastic. In India, you get the experience of going up against Spanish coaches, German coaches – all sorts of nationalities, all sorts of weird and wonderful formations.
“I’m well-versed in all that sort of thing. But what I found in my time in India is that you’ve got to become mentally tough.
“I was as a player and in my early part of coaching, but it doesn’t get any tougher than what it was like over there.
“I was quite prepared to stay again but I just felt like it was time to come home. My ambition was always to come back to Scottish football and Peterhead have given me the opportunity to do that.
“There’s lots of things you have to overcome – in India there’s a lot of hardship – but this is a fantastic challenge. The club needs a bit of a lift and I’m looking forward to it.”
Robertson family reunion won’t be part of Peterhead journey
His family came out with him to India, with one of his sons, Mason, forming an integral part of his title-winning side at Kashmir.
Mason will be a familiar name to Peterhead fans, given he played for the Blue Toon during the 2017-18 season. Under Jim McInally, they fell narrowly short of promotion from League Two in the play-offs.
I think it’s important to be seen and to be visible, within the club and the community.”
A centre-half during his time at Balmoor, Robertson junior was transformed into a goal-scoring centre-forward by his father.
However, another reunion in Buchan is not on the cards just yet.
“He’s in the USA at the moment,” said Robertson. “He’s there permanently with his fiancee. He would like to play again at some point but he’s just enjoying life at the moment.
As Robertson appreciates from his time working in India, the staff around him and the environment they create is going to be vital.
He is working on assembling his coaching staff and what they can bring to Peterhead, a club with a great foundation which has fallen on hard times.
“I was working on that yesterday,” said Robertson. “I’ve got an idea who I want so I’ve just got to make sure it’s a fit for the club.
“The main thing for me is that the players know who’s involved and we can start afresh.
“It’s one day at a time. I’ve got a good idea how the club works and I’ll be here quite a lot during the week.
“I think it’s important to be seen and to be visible, within the club and the community.”
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