Scotland boss Steve Clarke believes Kieran Tierney should be fit for his country’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Denmark and hinted the left-back could even return to Arsenal’s squad on Sunday.
The 24-year-old has been absent from Mikel Arteta’s last three matchday squads after picking up a bruised ankle that has caused him considerable pain when he runs.
Speaking after last weekend’s win over Leicester, the Spaniard wouldn’t put a date on Tierney’s return but Clarke appears optimistic.
“I think Kieran will be on the plane and, if he’s on the plane, he’ll be fit,” Clarke told on Wednesday.
“That’s my opinion but look, you have to respect the club and the club are telling us he’s working his way back to fitness.
“They’re hopeful he could be involved this weekend [against Watford] but if he [only] gets a few days training in, then fine. We don’t play until a week on Friday, so he’s got time on his side. I expect that Kieran will be fit.”
Having lacked cover last season when Tierney picked up knocks, strains and sniffles, the Gunners made a point of recruiting suitable backup. New man Nuno Tavares has made a good impression so far and you suspect Arteta won’t have any qualms fielding the Portuguese defender again against Watford.
Fack off Steve let the guy have a rest!
As a Scottish person I’m pleased. As an arsenal fan I’m a touch concerned.
Arsenal should tell them no. Every time there’s an International break Tierney is played into the ground by a Scottish coach who doesn’t give a damn about him and sent back to Arsenal wrecked. Fuck off Steve Clarke and Scotland.
I’m just as concerned as you are about this but there really is no need to curse the whole country.
Scotland isn’t a separate country. In any event, I think the poster was referring to the football team as ‘Scotland’.
Scotland is a separate country
Yeah, I get it but pretty sure Tierney’s gonna want to play for his country if fit.
Fuck off England
It would be better if England and Scotland were united again as Southgate would probably play Luke Shaw instead of Tierney.
Well Southgate can fuck off too. Haven’t been too chuffed with his use of Saka. At times he has played him way too much when he’s struggling with niggles, considering the wealth of players he has got. And ESR still playing Under 23 footie, he’s miles above that level now.
Get well quick Tierney.
I’m totally fine with Nuno starting again against Watford, especially if Tierney will indeed (have to) play for Scotland next week.
I think Nuno has earnt his place in the first 11 on Sunday to be fair.
I was thinking this on Saturday; KT is up there as my favourite player from this crop, but I feel like he may have to earn his way back into the starting XI (or at least wait for Tavares to lose it). What do we think, am I just excited by something new and shiny?
I would be comfortable giving Tavares the nod against Watford, even if Tierney is near fit.
After the international break it’s Liverpool – at Anfield – you probably need to roll with the experience and safer option of Tierney in that one.
I agree.
To be fair we’re in a good position. Realistically Nuno’s gonna hit a difficult patch at some point or get injured. At which point Tierney will hopefully slot in & vice versa. Also think some matches will suit one over the other when both fit.
Imagine that, having 2 decent players per position actually makes sense.
If Nuno can’t make it, we should start Antonio Conte.
That’s great but what will he be like after the Scotland manager is finished with him?
Tavares to start and then give KT some minutes before he goes to Scotland duty, he plays as cb for them so shouldn’t be too wrecked fitness wise. It’s knocks in tackles which are the problem, especially against the less technical teams.
I feel like we are paying his salary and medical bills right now so he can play for Scotland.
On the flip side, the Scotland games could work in our favour.
A game or two with Scotland, competitive minutes under his belt, could help him back to peak fitness before Liverpool on November 20th.
He hasn’t played since October 18th so I don’t think you would want to play him at Anfield without having played a competitive game in over a month.
Tierney is distinctly suffering from an international hangover. He needs a break and needs to find that motivation (which Tavares will provide) to push and get back into the right head space.
Tavares can still deputise for Tierney on Sunday.