Four pull out of Scotland’s opener

Celtic duo Kieran Tierney and Leigh Griffiths have withdrawn from the Scotland squad for the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Malta on Sunday.

The in-form Hoops striker Griffiths flagged up a hamstring problem on Saturday after scoring his seventh goal of the season in a 4-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Aberdeen at Parkhead.

Midfielders James McArthur of Crystal Palace and former Dundee defender Kevin McDonald, of Fulham, have also withdrawn for the game at the Ta’Qali Stadium.

Rangers captain Lee Wallace and striker Tony Watt, on loan at Hearts from Charlton Athletic, have been drafted in by boss Gordon Strachan.

Stephen Kingsley is relishing the formidable challenge of establishing himself as number one left-back for Scotland.

The 22-year-old Swansea defender, who started his career at Falkirk, was included in Gordon Strachan’s squad for the friendly double-header against Italy and France at the end of last season and made his debut as a second-half substitute against the French in the 3-0 defeat in Metz.

However, standing in front of Kingsley for a regular spot in the A squad is the equally young Andrew Robertson, 22, of Hull and Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, 19, who will be vying for a start in the Scots’ opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Malta on Sunday.

Kingsley has returned to the Scotland Under-21 squad for the European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches against FYR Macedonia and Ukraine on Friday and Tuesday respectively but his taste of action in France has left him keen for more even though he recognises the “tough task” ahead.

“I was on the bench for the Italy game and to see the boys playing and seeing how they set up and train, it was great to be a part of it,” he said.

“Come the France game and the position they were in going into the Euros as the home nation was an experience in itself and obviously to get the first cap was a dream come true.

“It just makes you want to strive for more.

“It is a tough task, (Robertson and Tierney) are two very good players. I know Andy, I played against him two weeks ago at Hull.

“It is good for us to try to push ourselves and try to get in the A squad.

“I have not made the cut this time but hopefully if I can keep proving myself at Swansea then it will come.

“These types of challenges is what makes you a better player so I am for it.”

Scotland’s Under-21 side have taken eight points from six games and are six points behind Group 3 leaders France and four behind Iceland and FYC Macedonia, which leaves qualifying a difficult prospect.