I’ve been facing two of England’s top wingers every day in training... battling Paddy and Scott has me ready for Raheem
Tierney not scared of Sterling after taking on Celts duo DO OR DIE SCOTLAND v ENGLAND 9 DAYS TO GO
KIERAN TIERNEY may have only spent 90 minutes on the same pitch as England star Raheem Sterling.
But the full-back insists he’s had months to get to grips with the winger’s game after grappling with two of his top compatriots day in, day out in training.
The 19-year-old went toe to toe with Sterling when both players scored in last September’s 3-3 Champions League draw between Celtic and Manchester City.
And the Scotland youngster believes this season’s duels with clubmates Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair will be just as useful when it comes to shackling the £49million man at Hampden.
Tierney may have suffered a broken jaw just five days ago but it seems nothing will stop him taking a bite out of England’s World Cup qualification bid.
Record Sport revealed this week he’d declared himself fit for the Battle of Britain bout despite the injury cutting short his Scottish Cup Final.
And Tierney says the Auld Enemy’s wide men won’t leave him dazed because he has warmed up against two of their finest.
He said: “You always look forward to challenging yourself against the best players.
“Raheem Sterling is a world class player and when I played against him that night at Celtic Park it was a good battle.
“That’s what makes you a better player – testing yourself against players of that quality.
“At Celtic I do it in training against Paddy Roberts and Scott Sinclair – they are the best as well. Training against these guys every day makes me a better player. It’s really good preparation for these type of games when you’re training against the likes of Paddy.
“He’s brilliant. I don’t think he likes playing up against me because I end up just kicking him!
“You can see in the last few weeks Paddy has been in the form of his life. He is a top, top player.”
Tierney could be asked to keep tabs on Sterling or Liverpool’s £25m winger Adam Lallana depending on whether he plays his regular left-back role or on the right for the second game running.
The 19-year-old was asked to swap sides for the 1-0 win over Slovenia that breathed fresh hope into our qualifying campaign with Andy Robertson on the left.
And Tierney insists he’ll be happy to do so again in the Group F clash if national boss Gordon Strachan makes the same request.
He said: “The last time I went with Scotland I didn’t know I was going to be playing right-back.
“I just thought there were too many left-backs and I’d been moved across in training to make up a team. When I was told I’d be playing there I was delighted to be starting but it was a surprise to be
Training against these guys every day makes me a better player. It’s really good preparation for these type of games
on the other side. It was the first time I’d done that. As a player it helps you to develop when you experience different positions.
“Versatility is a thing some managers look at so it’s good.
“It’s up to the manager – I don’t mind where I play. I’d be really happy to play at right-back.
“I get asked if I feel I need to pinch myself but I just don’t have time. I’m always busy. Even last summer I thought I would have time to settle down and look back.
“It is hard to take it all in. I tend just to appreciate it, be grateful for the opportunities I have had and hope they continue.”
Tierney, who will be collecting his fourth cap, has yet to be pitched into a Scotland v England game after injury forced him out of last November’s 3-0 defeat at Wembley. On his return against Slovenia he was one of six Celtic players to start, joining Craig Gordon, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.
And with all of them in Strachan’s squad fresh from becoming treble-winning Invincibles Tierney believes gelling won’t be a problem at the National Stadium.
He said: “Playing for Scotland against England would be a massive fixture anyway. This one really means a lot. The result would be a great boost for the country so we’re all looking forward to it.
“I have never played against England at any level. I never really played for the youths so getting capped is great. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a massive game and I missed the last one when I was injured so I would be delighted to be picked for this one.
“I watched the Wembley game at home with my friends. We were quite unlucky. It was a good performance but we’ll be looking to get a better result this time.
“The last game against Slovenia when all of the Celtic players started was also a must-win game and we got a great result. There was big pressure and all 11 of us plus the subs who came on played an important part.
“With a core of Celtic players we had a lot of people who really understood each other’s games.
“I was helped playing at rightback by knowing James Forrest’s game in front of me. Things like that can help. For us, belief has been the main word. The manager at Celtic has drilled that into us from the start of the season. We know we have to work hard and believe in what we’re doing.”