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Liverpool star finds genius loophole to get round FIFA's new World Cup rule

The Liverpool man appeared to have got the better of the new rules

It was a night (or morning) to remember for Scotland, who made their World Cup bow for the first time in 28 years against Haiti in Boston.

John McGinn's strike midway inside the first half proved enough to send the Tartan Army into raptures on both sides of the Atlantic, and hand Steve Clarke's men a first World Cup win for nearly 40 years.

Scotland are now top of Group C following Brazil's draw with Morocco, and are now well placed to qualify for the knockout stages for the very first time.

It wasn't necessarily pretty, but Scotland just about got the job done, and a few eagle-eyed supporters noticed Andy Robertson doing his best to gain his side a slight advantage, particularly in the face of new FIFA rules around throw-ins.

Under measures introduced for the tournament, teams have five seconds to take a throw-in or goal kick.

The aim is to reduce time-wasting, but some players have already started pushing the boundaries.

Fans on social media noticed Robertson barking instructions to his team-mates before taking a throw, seemingly without the threat of the countdown.

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One fan on social media claimed: "Scotland’s Andy Robertson has found a hack to beat FIFA’s new throw-in countdown: Get your team-mates in position before you pick the ball up, which starts the referee’s countdown."

That certainly appeared to be what was happening, although the rules don't really back up that explanation.

It states: "The referee does not have to wait for a player to have possession of the ball to start the five-second countdown."

Nevertheless, it is perhaps an example of players looking to push the rules as far as they can.

Robertson himself is set for a big summer away from the Scotland camp, with the defender set to call time on his nine-year Liverpool career by joining Tottenham on a free transfer at the end of the month.

For now, though, full focus will be on Scotland, who continue their World Cup campaign by taking on Morocco on Friday night.

They then face five-time winners Brazil on June 24.

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