Pundit thrilled by ‘tremendous’ Kieran Tierney after what he has seen at Arsenal
Kieran Tierney is an ideal role model for young Arsenal players as he is already a “veteran” of the club.
That’s according to former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the defender’s form.
Tierney, 25, has started the Gunners’ last three Premier League games and impressed in the 3-0 win over Brentford on 18 September.
The Scotland international missed the final months of the 2021-22 season after picking up a long-term knee injury.
McLeish is delighted with Tierney’s return and his performance for Scotland in their win over Ukraine on 21 September.
“When I look at Arsenal, ok, I see Xhaka who is a bit older than everyone else,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“But Tierney is like one of the veterans now and he is only in his early 20s to the young guys who are coming through the ranks at Arsenal.
“They are looking really, really confident and I didn’t see any of that from Brentford in that game, Arsenal demolished them.
“There was a great speed of passing and positioning, Arteta’s tactics as well were spot on. Tierney is now a veteran in that team and he is so important to them.
“He can play the left centre-back role in a three or obviously his best position is at left-back. In the Scotland game, it was great to have him back.
“At Arsenal, he is a tremendous leader. Having that leader and a guy who was at Celtic, a club where the fans demand a win every week, he has that mentality.”
Tierney has made 94 appearances for the Gunners since joining them from Celtic in the summer of 2019.
Arsenal are next in action against Tottenham in the first north London derby of the season on 1 October.
In other news, one expert claims Arsenal have “next Jack Grealish” in their ranks amid club “statement”.