Kieran Tierney’s Euros fate revealed as Scotland docs make decision on hamstring injury blow

KIERAN TIERNEY is officially OUT of Euro 2024.

The Scotland and Arsenal defender looked gutted as he was taken off on a stretcher in the second half of the draw against Switzerland on Wednesday.

Tierney was rushing back to defend a Swiss counter-attack when his leg buckled and he hit the floor in a heap and immediately gripped onto his hamstring and signalled to the subs’ bench.

Steve Clarke confirmed the injury “was a bad one” after the game in midweek and now it’s been revealed that the 27-year-old is being sent home to continue his recovery at his club and will miss the rest of the tournament.

Scots assistant boss John Carver said in his press conference today: “He was stretchered off the other night. He’s got an issue with his hamstring and as we speak he is heading home to be assessed by Arsenal.

“That is all I can say at the moment.”

When asked about the impact of Tierney’s injury on the squad, Carver admitted his absence will upset the balance of the starting XI but he would soon be back to support the team should they progress to the last 16.

Tierney himself, is devastated.

Carver said: “He’s obviously extremely disappointed.

“If we do progress and move through the tournament Kieran will be back to support us. But he’s a young lad, he’s got plenty of time.

“It’s a blow because he’s one of our top players and in tournament football you need your best players on the park.

“In particular he gives us great balance down the left hand side, he combines really well with Andy Robertson and Callum McGregor.

“But it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step in.”

Tierney has rarely had fitness issues to seek in the last few years.

He was beset by injury problems at the last Euros and his loan stint at Real Sociedad this season was also disrupted by knocks.

The former Celtic star is a key man for Clarke and being without him will pose some major questions.

Scotland could revert to a back four, with Andrew Robertson dropping back to left-back rather than operating as a left wing-back, with Clarke then choosing between Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry as his pairing in the centre of defence.

It was McKenna who came on for Tierney on Wednesday as part of a back three, so Clarke could decide to stick with that and slot the ex-Aberdeen man in there instead of a wholesale change to the formation.

Scotland play Hungary on Sunday evening knowing a win would almost guarantee them a place in the knockout stages on a total of four points.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk