Celtic defender Kieran Tierney helped to guarantee Scotland a 2026 World Cup play-off place in the win over Belarus.
Tierney has been used sparingly by Steve Clarke in the international window as the Celtic fullback made a seven-minute appearance against Denmark and an 18-minute outing against Belarus.
With Scotland close to an automatic place in next summer’s 2026 World Cup, the Celtic defender could well be on Steve Clarke’s plane to the USA.
But as Scotland fans appeared to criticise the Celtic hero’s performance, the national media had a different reaction to Tierney’s role in the win over Belarus.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesCeltic icon Kieran Tierney ‘performed amicably’ for Scotland vs Belarus
Tierney replaced fellow Celtic team-mate Anthony Ralston in the right full-back role as Scotland sat 1-0 up.
Steve Clarke’s side looked nervy until Scott McTominay put the Scots 2-0 up, however, Tierney’s role in the win didn’t go unnoticed by Scotland’s media as Belarus turned the screw.
The Herald: “Naturally a left-back, Tierney was introduced at right-back for the closing stages and performed amicably.”
The Scotsman: “Asked to patrol the right flank in what is not a natural role for the left-sided defender. Fared fine.”
Edinburgh News: “Introduced for Ralston and covered at right-back for the closing 20 minutes to help shore things up. Didn’t look comfortable in that position.”
Celtic defender Kieran Tierney’s Scotland stats
Tierney has never played right-back in his career at all whether that’s been at Celtic and Arsenal and it’s clear Clarke trusted the Celtic defender to put in a shift.
And Tierney did just that. As per Fotmob, here is how the Celtic star fared in his Scotland cameo:
Minutes played: 18Rating: 6.6Accurate passes: 9/11 (82%)Defensive contributions: 4Touches: 20Successful dribbles: 1/1 (100%)Accurate long balls: 1/2 (50%)Tackles: 1Clearances: 3Headed clearance: 2Ground duels won: 3/3 (100%)Aerial duels won: 1/2 (50%)
Whilst Scotland were booed off at the final whistle, Tierney performed well after being thrust into a position alien to him considering Belarus were on the ascendancy.