Overload of games was reason for call-off, not plastic turf
SAYS KIERAN TIERNEY
Kieran TIERNEY yesterday insisted he was ‘gutted’ to miss Scotland’s recent nations League double-header — although he played down suggestions Livingston’s artificial pitch was to blame for his absence.
The 21-year-old will play for Celtic at Hamilton tomorrow despite being one of nine call-offs ahead of the national team securing a euro 2020 play-off place with back-to-back wins over albania and israel.
Blaming a hamstring issue, Scotland boss alex McLeish had suggested the surface at Livingston’s Tony Macaroni arena might have been a factor as the Parkhead side drew 0-0 in West Lothian before the international break.
‘There is a difference playing on an artificial pitch,’ said McLeish. ‘no doubt about it. i don’t want to criticise artificial pitches per se, but the guys came with a bit of tightness.’
Unconcerned by the prospect of another artificial pitch in Hamilton aggravating matters, however, Tierney said: ‘i don’t think it’s the kind of injury where that would be an issue.
‘i think it was a build-up of the overload of all the games so far that caused it. i don’t think the one game on artificial made any difference — but i don’t know.
‘i’m available again, so it’s up to the club to decide if i’m fine. i’ve been training. it was disappointing with Scotland. i was training there but the hamstring wasn’t the way it should be.
‘i said to the management that i was ready to play — but the medical people said i had to go for a scan on it. Ultimately, it was their decision, along with Celtic’s. it was out of my hands.’
Tierney remains adamant that his commitment to the Scotland cause remains total, adding: ‘i wanted to play.
‘They were two massive games and i wanted to be a part of them.
‘So i was gutted but i was so delighted for the boys who got the job done. ‘at the end of the day, that’s all that mattered.’ a tense victory over israel means the Scots have now secured the safety net of a home semi-final play-off tie, most likely against Finland, in March 2020. and Tierney admitted he was delighted for team-mate James Forrest after his five goals in the two games proved critical. ‘it’s great to have that to look forward to (the play-off),’ he said. ‘The boys dealt with different kinds of pressure in the two games. ‘Jamesy was incredible and he deserves all the credit he is getting. ‘ever since i started playing and training with the first team, he is one of those players you don’t want to come up against. ‘He can go inside, outside — no matter how good a defender you are, you’re going to get a tough time against James Forrest. ‘He’s one of the best players i’ve come up against. There is no down side to his game — his first touch, work rate, effort and defending. He can do everything. He’s a great player to have in your team.’ Hamilton marks the beginning of an intense schedule of games, with Celtic set to play 11 matches in three competitions before the end of 2018. ‘There is no balancing it — it’s just games,’ said Tierney, with the Betfred Cup final against aberdeen at the start of next month and the conclusion of the europa League group stage adding to their league chores. ‘You play, then do your best to recover. That’s the pressure you deal with. i’m looking forward to it. i’m not going to hold back. ‘You can’t afford to draw games or slip up. it has to be constant. Hamilton is another hard game. ‘This will be different from Livingston, even if it’s on a plastic pitch again. ‘it’s a different team and it’s a challenge we are looking forward to — and we are ready for it.’