Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Barry Robson insists he has a lot of respect for David Beckham but says when he is playing against him, he forgets about that admiration.
The Scotland international made his home debut for Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night, scoring his first MLS goal to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute, against Beckham's LA Galaxy before the game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
Robson and Beckham clashed on a number of occasions in midfield and also exchanged words throughout the match but the ex-Middlesbrough man made it clear that it was simply the heat of a competitive match which forced him to act so strongly.
"He's a terrific footballer and he's a great ambassador for the game," Robson said. "A lot of people look up to him.
"He's a terrific talent and a nice guy as well. When you're on a football pitch I'm sure it doesn't matter who anybody is, and I don't care who anybody is.
"So at the end of the day, I'm just trying to win it for my team and he's trying to win it for his."