Auld Enemy clash a spur for Tierney

KIERAN TIERNEY is determined to be fit to face England on June 10 despite the facial injury that forced his exit from the Scottish Cup final. The Celtic left-back was yesterday retained in Gordon Strachan’s revised squad for the World Cup qualifier — reduced in number from 29 to 24 — after declaring himself available. Tierney was left bloodied in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 win

over Aberdeen having being caught by Jayden Stockley’s arm. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital and given painkillers, but rushed back to Hampden in time to feature in the trophy presentation as Celtic completed an unbeaten Treble. It’s understood tests have indicated the damage to Tierney’s jaw and mouth is not quite as severe as initially feared, opening the way for him to win a fourth cap. He performed well in an unfamiliar right-back role in the March win over Slovenia and may well be asked again by Strachan to fill that flank. While Tierney’s retention in the squad is a boost, the national manager has — as planned — cut five players from the initial pool named last week. Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, Hibs midfielder John McGinn, Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean, Brighton forward Jamie Murphy and Steven Fletcher of Sheffield Wednesday have all been informed they won’t be featuring in the Group F showdown. Meanwhile, former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Kris Commons will spend the next fortnight deciding whether he is to retire from football with immediate effect. The injury-hit 33-year-old left Parkhead when his contract expired at the end of the season after failing to kick a ball for the club during the campaign. He made five appearances for Hibs, scoring twice, during a brief loan spell at Easter Road at the turn of the year. Commons and his Celtic-supporting family have decided to remain living in Glasgow and newly-promoted Hibs boss Neil Lennon is believed to be keen to take the gifted attacker along the M8 on a permanent basis. The former Scotland international said: ‘I’m going on holiday on Tuesday and then I will come back and reflect on what will be going forward. ‘I have options and not just football. Plenty of doors are open, but whatever door I walk through — playing, coaching, media — I want to be 100-per-cent committed. ‘As a footballer, you want to play for the best clubs at the highest level. ‘I’ve been lucky. I have done that. And if I can pass my knowledge on to younger players, that would be great.’