Former Celtic hero Kieran Tierney is buzzing about heading to the Euros.
The Isle of Man-born, Glasgow-raised ex-Hoops left-back is part of a talented generation of Scottish players. Alongside the likes of John McGinn and Andy Robertson, he’s making his name in the Premier League. Absolutely adored by Arsenal supporters, just like he was at Celtic, Tierney has spoken excitedly about getting to this summer’s tournament.
He’s also keen on some of the young talent being brought along by Steve Clarke, specifically David Turnbull. Turnbull, who won both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year at Celtic, faced an anxious wait ahead of the squad announcement. Ultimately, though, he’s in. And Tierney is delighted.
He told the Sun:
“Our squad’s tight-knit. Nathan [Patterson], Billy [Gilmour] and David [Turnbull] being in the squad makes me feel old!
“I’ve been impressed with them all this season.”
Kieran Tierney coy about his own talents, but he’s key for Scotland
Never the arrogant type, Tierney was shy about his own fantastic range of talents. The former Celtic left-back, who was bought for £25m in 2019 [Sky Sports], always speaks as if he’s lucky. However, hard work and fantastic reading of the game, as well as relentless running and tough tackling, have made him a stand-out for Celtic and Arsenal.
Tierney continued [Sun]:
“I pick up injuries because of the way I play. I can’t hold back. It’s just not me.
“I’m 100 per cent an all-or-nothing player — I’m the same in training.
“I know for a fact I’m not the most talented. But what I’ve got I use very well and I work extremely hard.”
On getting to the latter stages of the competition, something Scotland have never done, Tierney was bullish. In terms of a Scotland squad, the talent is there, but the Tartan Army face a tough group, including Croatia, England and the Czech Republic.
Tierney said:
“I think all of us — from the coaching and backroom staff to players — have that attitude. We’re not just going to make up the numbers. We’re aiming to make an impact.
“We discovered what it meant to the nation to qualify, so can you imagine what it would be like if we qualified from the group?
“We know how proud we can make the nation. That’s what is inspiring us. To make even more history would be incredible.
“I’d never call myself a legend if it happened. But it would be some achievement for Scottish football.”
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