‘Spot on’ – Celtic ace Tierney hails Strachan decision
By James Black
Celtic star Kieran Tierney has admitted he was “just like any other fan” when Scotland scored a late winner against Slovakia.
The full-back was replaced by Ikechi Anya late in the second-half and it was Anya’s cross which was diverted into this own goal by Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel.
Scotland now travel to face Slovenia in Ljubjana on Sunday knowing a win should secure them a place in November’s play-offs as they aim to qualify for their first tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Now, Tierney has hailed Scotland boss Gordon Strachan’s decision to take him off, which led to the winning goal.
“I was just like any other fan when I came off for the last five minutes and I celebrated like the supporters when we scored,” Tierney said, as quoted by the Evening Times.
“It was good, I really enjoyed that moment.”
“The manager brought on Kech to be the more attacking player wide on the right.
“Playing there limits me in an attacking sense as Robbo (Andy Robertson) goes up all the time on the other side.
“But what a change it was. The manager has called it spot on.”
Tierney has been a stand-out for Celtic so far this season and, while he has to play in an unfamiliar right-back position for Scotland, is quickly becoming indispensable to Strachan’s international side too.
The Isle of Man-born star has picked up seven caps for Scotland and could get to represent his country at their first major tournament in 20 years if they can find a way past Slovenia on Sunday.
Incredibly, Tierney had only just celebrated his first birthday the last time Scotland featured at a World Cup but the Tartan Army now find themselves three games from a place in Russia next summer.
In other Celtic news, Scott Brown praised Craig Gordon and thinks the goalkeeper ‘deserves’ his 50th Scotland cap
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