Latest news with #KieranTierney
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Is McGregor missing midfield piece as Miller offers food for thought?
If all eyes weren't already on Scotland's first World Cup qualifier against Denmark on 5 September, they certainly are Steve Clarke would have been running scenarios over in his head after Friday's defeat by Iceland, Monday night's win over in Liechtenstein presented no such besides his team and formation. Big decisions, in the Scotland head coach stick with the back four he played in Vaduz or shift to his trusty back three/five?In midfield, who does he hand starts to after 18-year-old Lennon Miller impressed on his full debut?And after hat-trick hero Che Adams and George Hirst linked up for the latter's first international goal, will Clarke commit to two up top?Plenty positions to ponder over the holidays for Clarke. And it's crucial he gets them right in Copenhagen. 'Tierney-Robertson partnership our strength' When possible, Clarke always opts for Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson down the left. They're his tried and tested and they've served him been a little discourse around whether that's still what we should be going with, but I don't see why not. I think they're still two of the best left-sided partnerships that we've got, it works really as left-sided centre-back and Robertson at left wing-back offers such pace, which also brings quality going forward and the end product of ball in the box.I think that's our strength, they've done it fantastically in the past couple of years, which is why I think going away from home, in Copenhagen, I see Clarke going with the we have good balance on the left, it's the right that's more up for grabs. There are cases to be made for many, and it's one for the head coach to mull over. 'Callum ticks all the boxes' On his first Scotland start, I think Miller has done himself absolutely millions of favours with his very, very calm - quite chilled actually. That's due to his family, his dad (former Scotland striker Lee Miller) keeping him grounded!His composure and quality is top notch and he expresses himself in the like he's not bothered by being on the big stage. His attitude is, 'I'm playing with my mates here'. That's top I think he will start in Denmark? I don't. But will he be one of the ones that's in Clarke's mind to automatically come on if you're looking for a goal or a forward pass? I'd say are so many possibilities, unbelievable pairing of Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay is one that's got to try and flourish. You know what you're getting with John McGinn. Clarke likes Kenny McLean because of his experience. Ryan Christie is favoured as a 10, too, so there are plenty of legs in the perfect combination is to get Callum McGregor the one that ticks all the boxes. He can sit, he can go forward. I know he's retired but that's what Scotland are looking for. 'Dykes will be phoning, asking to be in a top two' Though two strikers are not Clarke's usual call, he has gone with the Che Adams-Lyndon Dykes partnership before.I was on punditry duties with the big man while we watched Adams and Hirst strike up a partnership and I reckon he'll be phoning Clarke now saying he can play in the two.I think the head coach likes Dykes' running power. He's a great worker off the ball, but also holds it well and causes problems in the will be flying high while Hirst has just opened his Scotland account. There's, finally, great competition up there now for us. We've not had three goal-scoring strikers for the national team for a long, long Clarke use all three, though? I don't think he he goes defensively, I don't see him playing two strikers.I see him playing that box in the middle of the park and I think it gives us a wee bit better structure going away from home. 'Trip to Copenhagen critical for qualification' Getting it right in Copenhagen is Scotland can get a point away to Denmark and then beat them at home - while beating everybody else - that'll do it. Easier said, mind the first game is the big one. You don't want to go away on matchday one and lose, because it puts the Danes on the front foot early doors with belief. Scotland then start to overthink everything, so the opener will be hugely important for just has to do what he had a fantastic career as a manager, I actually look at him and the style he plays - I try and steal stuff from got a lot of experience throughout the time and that's what he doesn't need to deter from what he usually does too much, it's done him very well so Scotland captain Scott Brown was speaking to BBC Scotland's Amy Canavan
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic close to deal for highly-rated English Premier League striker they can snap up for bargain compensation fee
His goal contributions to games ratio last season was strong SOUTHERN SWOOP Celtic close to deal for highly-rated English Premier League striker they can snap up for bargain compensation fee Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC are closing in on their second signing of the summer, as a promising young striker might soon come through the door. Joining the incoming Kieran Tierney could be Fulham forward Callum Osmand. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up The 19-year-old who hails from Wales has been scouted for some time and recently enjoyed a fruitful season for the English club's under-21s. He netted 10 goals and provided four assists in 17 appearances in the Premier League 2, also playing and scoring in the EFL Trophy. His contract at Craven Cottage is expiring, meaning the Parkhead side could swoop in for a nominal compensation fee for the promising teen. The youngster already follows the Hoops' official account on Instagram.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
A myth about Brendan Rodgers away from Celtic sets Hotline ablaze as Kieran Tierney claim triggers fury
Kieran Tierney's latest injury setback has got Hotline callers of a Celtic persuasion worried about just how many games the defender will be able to play for the Hoops in his dream Parkhead return. The 28-year-old played the first 68 minutes of Scotland 's 3-1 defeat to Iceland on Friday before he was replaced and along with Scott McTominay pulled out of the squad ahead of Monday's friendly clash against Liechtenstein. Tierney will officially be a Celtic player again on July 1 when his contract at Arsenal expires but doubts are now being raised about Brendan Rodgers ' decision to bring him back to Glasgow's east end. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "Kieran Tierney pulls out of the National squad due to injury. Celtic fans must be wondering 'should Brendan Rodgers have re-signed him before he kicks a ball for the Scottish Premiership?' "At this rate he will be spending more time in the treatment room than in the dressing room. Arsenal will be laughing all the way to the bank getting him off their wage bill, maybe his new name should be a sick note." Tierney's pull-out also has one caller demanding the Hoops make one last effort to tie Greg Taylor down to a new deal, despite reports in Greece claiming the left back is on the verge of signing for PAOK. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, wrote: "Surprise, surprise even before Kieran Tierney has pulled on a Hoops shirt he's been pulled out of the Scottish squad with an injury. "If there's any more evidence that Brendan Rodgers should throw the kitchen sink at Greg Taylor staying this is a timely reminder of Tierney's inability to shake injury's off. The clock is ticking and I'd like Taylor to make up his mind sooner rather than later." Elsewhere at Parkhead, Hotline callers continue to be at loggerheads with each other about Rodgers' managerial credentials compared to the elite coaches in the game. Carl McCoy, Paisley, said: "So Liam Birney one again peddles the myth that Brendan Rodgers is an elite manager on the Hotline. "Celtic aside, his win rate is 45 percent. Can you really say that puts him in the Guardiola, Klopp, Ancelloti bracket? He is a very fortunate manager who has chosen the easy path twice now." Scotland quartet McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Max Johnston are the talk of the town after winning silverware with Napoli, Bologna and Sturm Graz respectively overseas but Kenneth Crampsie reckons that praise for the heroes has gone overboard. He said: "Why do press and TV pundits go over top for players who go abroad and have bit of success with their clubs? "I can understand it with McTominay and Gilmour but they've proved themselves already at that level. Lewis Ferguson has had umpteen opportunities and done nothing at that international level. Max Johnston won the title in a poor Austrian league and was fired right in and got found out (for Scotland)." Staying with Scotland, Dr Robert S Pender insists Steve Clarke's tenure as national team boss has gone stale and has sensationally tipped Barry Ferguson to take over. He called to say: "Urgent time for Scotland management change. All gone stale like a wet tissue. Bring in Barry Ferguson and his team for a bit of fight and enthusiasm." With Russell Martin now in the dugout, Rangers are looking to turn the volume up on their recruitment drive. The Light Blues are in talks to sign Leicester City defender Conor Coady and have been tentatively linked with veteran Jamie Vardy following his Foxes exit but one punter sees no logic in pursuing the experienced duo. Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: "Rangers are looking at Coady and Vardy from Leicester City. One is 38, his career over and the other one is going on 33. It wouldn't make sense paying wages they'd expect, Vardy was reportedly on 140k a week (at Leicester). "You really have to wonder why they have shown no interest in (Lawrence) Shankland, he's ready and waiting If anyone can improve Rangers' attack and title prospects, he's more likely than the unreliable (Cyriel) Dessers, Danilo and (Hamza) Igamane. If they get it wrong there may not be a second chance."
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic banking on blockbuster Kieran Tierney return but there's an ominous stat that makes Plan B a necessity
There will be some Celtic fans relieved to see Kieran Tierney pack up his placcy bags and leave the Scotland camp without having another meaningless run out against some country the size of Coatbridge. Plenty of Hoops punters would rather see the rampaging fullback wrapped in cotton wool ahead of his big homecoming unveiling in a few weeks and then fully up to speed for the new season. Getting crocked in a knockabout in some European outpost doesn't bear thinking about, when he's already been billed as the big Brendan Rodgers signing of the summer. But there will be some supporters who might be a tad concerned. Tierney pulling out is likely to be no big deal. If Tierney felt a bit tight after last Friday's miserable friendly defeat to Farmfoods, or whoever it was, then the best thing to do was to get out of dodge and get the feet up for a few weeks. Scotland boss Steve Clarke didn't sound too concerned. He explained: 'Scott McTominay and Kieran both came into camp carrying some little issues over from the season. 'So I think if we had a longer turnaround between the games they might have had a chance but listen, it's the end of season for those two. 'The most important thing is to have a good rest over the summer and come back flying in the autumn.' That is the hope for Hoops fans – but there are some nagging concerns. There's no escaping the fact Tierney has had injury issues and it would be foolish to ignore them when it came to the transfer window. The full back doesn't just need back up – he might need a job share. It could be Tierney is fresh and raring to go but it has been a difficult couple of years for the defender, who turned 28 last week. The fans favourite made just 23 appearances last term for club and country and it was 35 the year before. But, tellingly, Tierney hasn't managed a full 90 minutes in a full year. The last time was with Scotland in the Euro warm up draw with Finland in June 2024. In fact, KT has only managed to start and finish games three times since 2023 and on half a dozen occasions since August 2023 – three of them for the national team. The other three were during his loan spell at Real Sociedad before the turn of that year. There have been mitigating circumstances, of course. He lost six months after getting crocked during the Euros for a start. And then there was his situation at Arsenal. Tierney was available to play for half of last season but was restricted mainly to the bench – where it can be notoriously tricky to get 90 minutes in. It's also tough to get full up to speed when you are only getting quarter of an hour here and there towards the end of matches, so it's little wonder when the starts come they tend to end early. All this doesn't mean Tierney will be following a similar pattern with Celtic. It could well be the case that with a good pre-season under his belt and plenty of game time built up, he could be flying like Clarke suggested. His talent is a given but the rest is a bit of an unknown at this stage. It's also why Celtic can't quite bank on everything going smoothly. It's a shame Greg Taylor looks set to head off to the Greek sunshine with PAOK, with a contract agreed barring any last minute cold feet from the family. The soon to be former left back would have been ideal to share duties but if that ship is sailing then it's imperative Celtic bring in another left back. That's where it gets tricky. It can't be just a back up, it has to be someone who could be rotated regardless of whether it's a Premiership clash or a Champions League encounter. It might have to be a young thruster on the way up, or a wily veteran looking for a new challenge. If it could be a Scot then it would tick even more boxes, and it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if Brendan Rodgers took a look at the domestic market and felt he could work a bit of magic with someone. That's what happened with Jonny Hayes in his first spell when the Irishman turned up as a flying winger from Aberdeen and ended as a hardy attacking full back at times with Celts. Rodgers might also already be looking at Luke McCowan and thinking the playmaker might just be the ideal man to slot in and occasional play that inverted role he likes. Either way, Celtic will be hoping Tierney's injury woes are a thing of the past and it's plain sailing from now on. But it would be smart to have a plan B up the cuff as well.
STV News
a day ago
- Sport
- STV News
McTominay and Tierney drop out of Scotland squad for Liechtenstein game
Scott McTominay and Kieran Tierney have dropped out of the Scotland squad for the game against Liechtenstein. The pair picked up injuries in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden on Friday night. As a result, they haven't made the trip to Vaduz where the national team are in action on Monday. Steve Clarke has also called goalkeepers Ross Doohan and Callan McKenna after losing Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie. Aberdeen stopper Doohann and Bournemouth's McKenna are both included in the Scotland squad for the first time. Doohan was on a family trip to Turkey after being part of the Dons' Scottish Cup-winning squad, but took a detour to Liechtenstein after being called up at the weekend. With Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, and Zander Clark also unavailable through injury, Clarke has turned to the 27-year-old for experienced cover. STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
