Sir Kenny advises KT to bide his time at Gunners
Sir Kenny Dalglish hopes Kieran Tierney’s Scotland appearances can advance his case for more game time with Arsenal.
Signed for £25 million from Celtic four years ago, Tierney became a key member of the Gunners side, and a cult hero with the supporters for his all-action style and rampaging runs down the wing.
All that has changed, though, since the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, with the Ukrainian taking his place at left-back.
“Kieran was left out initially because he was injured, and the player who came in for him has done well,” said Dalglish.
“Mikel Arteta probably decided to sign Zinchenko because he wants Arsenal to play the same way as Manchester City, with the full-backs playing on the inside rather than outside.
“Zinchenko was taught that way at City, so he is used to it. Kieran is not.
“That does not mean to say Kieran has gone backwards as a player. It is just someone else has been a wee bit better.
“He will respect where he is, and he will respect the boy got in when he was injured and nicked a step in front of him. He would expect to do the same himself.
“We have seen what Kieran can do in the minutes he has had for them setting up a goal against Crystal Palace last week.
“Now he is with Scotland and it is a great opportunity for him to put his case forward for Arsenal.”
Dalglish also believes the 25-year-old Scot’s experiences of having to be flexible for the national side can now benefit him at club level.
Before Steve Clarke succeeded in fitting both Tierney and Andy Robertson into the same side, debate had raged for years over who should play at left-back.
“They are probably the two best players, so it is about where you put them which Stevie has handled well,” said The Sunday Post columnist.
“Tierney has shown he can play where he is needed, and now he has a similar challenge with his club.
“Take the challenge up, and see if he can get back in at left-back.
“If he can’t get a place there, then he has to see if he can knock someone out further forward – on the left of midfield, or wherever there is an opportunity.
“He has a chance because, to be successful, you need a really good squad of players. And Arsenal are in the position everyone would want to be in, five points clear at the top of the table.
“They still have City to play and they have to come to Anfield.
“So it is not finished yet, but they are where you would want to be.”