Kieran Tierney could be set for a big Scotland opportunity after Andy Robertson was ruled out of their match against Kazakhstan.
Scotland open their Euro 2020 qualification campaign with a double-header against the Kazakhs and San Marino.
Robertson has been the number one left-back for Scotland for the last couple of years. Tierney, on the other hand, has often been used as a makeshift right-back or centre-back.
It’s been one of the more frustrating elements of Tierney’s career so far. The Celtic man isn’t a natural in any of the positions he regularly features in for Scotland, and it’s noticeable.
But, ahead of the first qualification match, Robertson has been ruled out. The Liverpool superstar needs to have a dental operation, and therefore didn’t fly to Kazakhstan.
It’s not yet been revealed as to whether he’ll miss the San Marino match too.
But, more importantly, this is a real opportunity for Tierney. It’s unthinkable that Alex McLeish doesn’t play the Celtic man in Robertson’s absence. He’s arguably Scotland’s best left-back anyway, and there’s certainly not much between him and the Liverpool man.
Going for cap number 13
So far in his career, Tierney has 12 Scotland caps to his name. It’s fair to say that McLeish isn’t getting the best from him by playing him anywhere other than left-back.
Disappointingly, however, it’s difficult to see how Tierney makes that spot his own. Robertson, after all, is the new Scotland campaign after Scott Brown’s retirement from international football.
Given the fact he’s a regular for Liverpool – the current Premier League leaders – he gets more of a spotlight on him than Tierney.
Robertson seems to have cemented himself as Scotland’s number one left-back. Given his high profile, it’s difficult to see how that will ever change.
Considering the Liverpool man also struggles with his right foot, he isn’t as adaptable as Tierney. So playing him in other positions outside of left-back is dangerous.
Regardless, Tierney has an opportunity here. The number one left-back is out, and he has to be chimping at the bit to play in his natural position for his country.
It may be a one-off, but the least the Celtic man can give McLeish something to think about.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
