MAGIC TOUCH
Tierney hails Clarke’s tactics for turning tables on Ukraine
THE sense of euphoria that accompanied Scotland’s penalty shoot-out victory over Serbia in 2020, and the prize that came with it, will forever be remembered as one of the highlights of Steve Clarke’s stewardship of the national team.
So, too, will the 2-0 victory over Denmark at Hampden last November, a night when Scotland laid waste to a team who had reached the semi-finals of the European Championships only a few months previously.
That display against the Danes still stands as perhaps Scotland’s most complete 90-minute performance of Clarke’s threeand-a-half-year tenure, particularly given the quality of opposition.
Yet, there is an argument that the second half against Ukraine on Wednesday night was every bit as good as anything witnessed previously under the current manager.
Bright and positive in all they did, Scotland were a joy to watch. They hounded their opponents with relentless energy and a desire to press high up the pitch.
They were determined to play on the front foot in Clarke’s new 4-2-3-1 system, which, although forced upon him largely due to circumstance, was to be richly rewarded by the end of a pulsating night in Glasgow’s south side.
Scotland’s superiority was to be found not only in a 3-0 scoreline which did not flatter them in any way, but also in some of the finer detail of this Nations League clash.
For instance, Ukraine didn’t register a single shot on target. Particularly in an utterly dominant second half, Craig Gordon could have sat and read a good book and Scotland would have fared no worse.
They suffocated their opponents in a way few would have thought possible after the Ukrainians had cruised to a 3-1 victory at Hampden in the World Cup play-off back in June.
For Kieran Tierney, Scotland have now set the benchmark for themselves. Nothing other than a repeat performance will suffice when the Republic of Ireland come calling tomorrow night.
Deployed at left-back in the absence of Andy Robertson, he was instrumental in setting the tone for Scotland, harassing the Ukrainians and helping to create the opening goal for skipper John McGinn.
Tierney insisted that the performance was as good as anything Scotland have produced in recent times — and he challenged his team-mates to go and repeat the trick against the Irish.
‘It was a good win and a good performance,’ said the Arsenal man. ‘I think that’s what we needed and the fans needed. It gives us confidence going into the last two games. It’s going to be tough with three games in such a short space of time, but we’ve got a lot of quality in the squad and we’ll look forward to it.
‘The plan is to play like that again. We want to play good football — and that was one of the best Scotland performances in a while.
‘We’ve had some good results in the past but, performance-wise, that was right up there against a team that beat us 3-1 not so long ago.
‘We need to keep pushing and try to go as far as we can. We showed we are all buying into what the manager is doing. He showed us everything, the team meetings, the tactical stuff, it was all magic on the night.
‘In the first few presses in the opening minutes, it was a case of us thinking we needed to get to grips with it (switching to a back four).
‘We got there. We pressed them in good areas, won the ball in good positions and created plenty of chances. It worked on the night.’
It remains one of the more curious aspects of Tierney’s international career that the majority of his 33 caps have come in central defence or even right-back, rather than his natural berth at left-back. But he will surely now retain that position against Ireland tomorrow, a match where Scotland will look to cement their position at the top of the group ahead of next week’s return fixture against Ukraine.
More specifically, though, Clarke’s side will be looking to settle a few scores and avenge their disastrous 3-0 defeat in Dublin back in the summer.
Tierney missed that match due to injury, along with the World Cup play-off against Ukraine which preceded it. He is now keen to make up for lost time.
‘I was just so gutted in the summer I couldn’t be there. It was unfortunate but it’s good to be back,’ he said.
‘You know the boys want to win everything. It was disappointing after the Ukraine game but you were wanting to bounce back with a good result.
‘I think you learn from that though, 100 per cent, and become a better team. You don’t want that feeling, to feel down and for people to be on you.
‘You use it as motivation to come back, to please the manager and play like you know you can — and give the fans something to cheer about.
‘I love playing for Scotland and I’m so happy to be here. I love the boys, the manager and the coaching staff. I’m buzzing.
‘I’ve had an in-out start to the season at Arsenal. I’ve been in some games and out others. I’m just working hard on what I can control.
‘When I play, I am going to give my all, no matter what position it is. I’m enjoying every minute of being back fit again.’
The only negative to emerge from Wednesday’s victory over Ukraine was the injury to Nathan Patterson, the Everton right-back who had to be stretchered off midway through the first half.
Tierney can sympathise with his fellow full-back, having suffered plenty of injury problems himself in the past. But he backed Patterson to make a full recovery.
‘I felt for him,’ said the Arsenal defender. ‘I knew straight away because I’ve been there. It’s football, isn’t it? What can you do?
‘He won a tackle and bust a gut to get back and picked up an injury. He’s done it for us. I don’t know the extent of it but I hope it’s not too bad and he’s back soon.
‘It’s just a shame because he’s been flying this season. The main thing with injuries is you have to accept it. There’s nothing you can do.
‘You can’t not tackle. You have to give 100 per cent. Nathan did that and he got an injury. But I’m sure he’ll work hard and come back strong.
‘I’ve had a few myself, as you know. The longest have been two or three months. I had the knee operation in the summer as well and once you are back you are still managing it as well.
‘It’s not like you are 100 per cent as soon as you are back. I missed pre-season as well, so I’m still playing a bit of catch-up, trying to get fit.
‘I’m working hard every day and I’ve been looking forward to this run of games to get some game time.’
He showed us everything, it was all magic on the night