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      Netherlands 1 Belgium 0 LIVE SCORE: Van Dijk’s header clinches win for hosts after Dodi’s late bicycle kick hits the bar

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      NETHERLANDS continued their incredible unbeaten run under Louis Van Gaal with a gruelling 1-0 win over local rivals Belgium.Virgil Van Dijk’s back-post header was enough to seal all three points for the hosts – securing a Nations League finals spot for next year.
      But things could have been different had substitute Dodi Lukebakio’s last-gasp spectacular bicycle kick flew in during stoppage time.

      RESULT: Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      Live stream: premiersports.com
      TV channel: Premier Sports 1
      Netherlands XI: Pasveer,; Timber, Van Djik, Ake; Dumfries, Blind, Berghuis, de Roon; Klaassen; Bergwijn, Janssen
      Belgium XI: Courtois; Debast, Alderweirald, Vertonghen; Castagne, Meunier, Onana, Witsel; De Bruyne, Hazard; Batshuayi

      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      That’s all from Amsterdam
      The Netherlands march on to the finals after securing a famous 1-0 victory on derby day.
      Belgium’s uphill task proved too much against a well-drilled Van Gaal side.
      Thank you for reading this match-blog and have a good evening.
      Former Netherlands player Robin van Persie soaked up the applause at the end of the game.Credit: EPA
      So close to glory
      Lukebakioko came so close to what would have been the goal of the tournament.
      Deep into stoppage time, the substitute attempted a bicycle kick which thundered against the upright, leaving viewers stunned. What an effort.
      Credit: Getty
      Scores on the doors
      Elsewhere tonight…

      Austria 1-3 Croatia
      Denmark 2-0 France
      Wales 0-1 Poland

      Croatia finish top of Group 1 and join the Netherlands in the finals.
      Watch Van Djik head home
      The Liverpool defender rose highest to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute.

      Full time – Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      Anthony Taylor blows his whistle and the Johan Cruyff arena erupts.
      Van Gaal’s near perfect run comes to an end in fitting fashion, with a win over their noisy neighbours. The hosts came here with a game plan and executed it to perfection, suffocating Belgium for large periods of the game and taking their opportunity when it came.
      Van Djik’s sucker-punch header was the difference in the end. Roberto Martinez’s side had their moments, but struggled to gain any real momentum.
      An assured Dutch side march on to the finals!
      .Credit: Getty
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      90+4, Lukebakio hits the post from a bicycle kick!
      That was centimetres away from pure genius. The forward got up brilliantly to meet De Bruyne’s ball in, thumping his over-head kick against the post. The keeper was rooted to the spot.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      90+3, The hosts are still attacking and the fans inside the Johan Cruyff arena are singing loyder than ever. They are very close.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      89, Gakpo makes a brilliant run and plays a pass towards Klassen who had an open goal. Courtois read his intention well, palming it away from danger.
      Tielemans then clips his man and we are to have four added minutes here.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      87, Klassen should score. The midfielder takes the ball down nicely in the area and pokes one towards goal. But his effort is tame and relatively straightforward for Courtois.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      85, Lukebakio attempts to latch on to a pass but Pasveer is out quickly to smother the attack. He’s looked really sharp in goal this evening.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      83, Taylor is booked for a poor challenge on his man.
      7 minutes plus stoppage time for the visitors to score five goals.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      81, Castagne is withdrawn and Lukebakio is thrown on for the remainder of this match.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      77, Dumfries goes into the referee’s book for a late challenge on his man.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      75, Bergwijn almost doubles their advantage!
      He has time to measure a shot, but drags it narrowly wide of the post.
      Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      74, Tielemans is on to replace Onana for the visitors.
      GOAL! – Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
      72, Gakpo curled in the corner and Van Djik leaped highest to score with a thumping header past Courtois, who had no chance!
      It’s a long way back for Belgium now. The hosts can see the finish line.
      .Credit: Getty
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      72, Taylor floats a dangerous ball into the area but it’s headed clear for a Netherlands corner. What can they make of it?
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      71, Bergwijn dances past a few challenges before letting fly. But it’s too central and Courtois keeps the scores level.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      67, Onana with the chance to break the deadlock!
      The ball is floated into him and he digs out a shot on target but it doesn’t have the power on it. Pasveer can deal with it easily enough.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      65, Van Gaal uses the break in play to make a change himself, throwing on de Vrij for Timber who has looked solid at the back this evening.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      64, Hazard wins the free kick and that will be his last involvement. He hobbles off after picking up a knock in the challenge and Trossard is on.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      61, Hazard drives his team up-field and frees Carrasco down the left. The winger tries to make room for a shot, but it’s blocked by Dumfries.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      59, It just hasn’t quite clicked for De Bruyne today. He has got into great positions but struggled with the final pass. This time he can’t thread it through to the on-running De Ketelaere through a wall of orange shirts.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      57, De Ketelaere flashes a wicked ball across the six-yard box but Van Djik is there to intercept and lump it clear.
      Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
      53, Taylor takes the ball in his stride and fires one on goal. It’s blocked and out for a corner which Timber meets well, but can’t direct his header on target.
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      Wales 0 Poland 1: Gareth Bale and co RELEGATED from Nations League top tier as Swiderski breaks Welsh hearts

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      THIS was a hair-rasing night for Gareth Bale and Wales in more ways than one as they head off to the World Cup.Their talismanic skipper is clearly not match fit and only took centre stage twice – one of which was when his Alice Band fell out.
      Wales were relegated to Group B of the Nations League following their defeat to PolandCredit: Rex
      Karol Swiderski condemned Robert Page’s troops to a 1-0 defeatCredit: REX
      The Dragons picked up a solitary point from their second Nations League campaignCredit: PA
      The dejected Dragons applaud the fans after their latest Nations League defeatCredit: GETTY
      Robert Page trudges off the pitchCredit: PA
      By contrast, Poland’s superstar Robert Lewandowski produced the one moment of genuine class to tee up the winning goal just before the hour.
      On Thursday it was Kevin de Bruyne – and on Sunday it was the Barcleona new boy undoing the Dragons.
      Rob Page’s men are certainly learning the hard way how it is if you want to mix with the best in the world.
      They go to Qatar in seven weeks’ time hoping their recent run of just one win in their last seven matches is not a true reflection of where they are.
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      Page said planning for that tournament would start as soon as the final whistle blew here – as there was still something at stake for his team.
      A win would have meant they stayed in the top tier of the Nations League when it returns in two years time – while it would also have been a nice psychological blow over World Cup rivals England.
      Just as importantly, it would have meant almost guaranteed a place in the Euro 2024 play-offs, no matter how the group plays out.
      That would have been handy – but it wasn’t to be.
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      Wales again had a makeshift look about them with Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Ben Davies and Harry Wilson all absent with injury.
      Chris Mepham and Ethan Ampadu also missed out due to suspension – so this was a very different team to the one which might start their next game.
      That will be against the USA in Qatar on November 21 – with the Dragons taking their place at the finals for the first time since 1958.
      Lewandowski and his Poland team knew a point would do for them and they were roared on by a sizeable travelling support.
      It was the Poles who made the better chances early on with Joe Rodon making a perfectly timed intervention to deny Szymon Zurkowski.
      Jakub Kiwior flashed in a header that forced Wayne Hennessey into his first save of the night.
      The veteran keeper was almost left red-faced when he took his eye off a routine back pass from Rodon and had to scramble the ball off the line.
      It was a piece of goalkeeper straight out of the Peter Enckelman handbook but fortunately, he was able to recover.
      There was plenty of needle in the game with the Polish fans starting the night by singing through the first part of the Welsh national anthem.
      Gareth Bale had a night to forget in CardiffCredit: Rex
      Robert Page’s troops go into Qatar 2022 on the back of a horrendous run of formCredit: GETTY
      Maybe that wound up defender Connor Roberts as he had a tasty running battle with Nicola Zalewski. They weren’t the only ones though.
      A big chance for the Dragons came when a long punt forward from Ben Cabango was not dealt with and Dan James got in behind.
      The Fulham man used his pace to get clear but lacked composure and fired straight at the legs of Wojciech Szczesny – who also managed to push the cross to safety from the rebound.
      Bale’s major contribution came as he attempted to play on while also trying to put his hairband back in place – causing a collective chuckle in the stands.
      He could have caused a hairy moment for Poland as he ghosted into space to collect a Roberts long throw-in but could not force the ball under Szczesny from a narrow angle.
      The Dragons went close again when Brennan Johnson found room for a shot on the edge of the box but his goalbound effort clipped the heels of James and spun wide.
      Page would have been pleased with the way his team had kept the Poles under control but a moment of class just before the hour mark opened them up.
      Lewandwski flick with the outside of his foot was brilliant as it bypassed Rodon and sent Karol Swiderski clear to score through the legs of Hennessey.
      The US-based forward also got the winner when these teams met in June.
      Read More on The Sun
      Wales could have hit straight back as Johnson cut in from the right and fired a low shot that was superbly tipped away by Szczesny.
      He was beaten in stoppage time as Bale got his head on a Sorba Thomas cross but his effort clattered against the bar. A draw would not have been enough though. More

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      Southgate casts more doubt on Toney making England’s World Cup squad just days after striker was left out for Italy loss

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has cast doubt over Ivan Toney’s World Cup dream.The Brentford striker, 26, got his first call-up after five Prem goals this season but was not named in the 23-man squad for Friday’s 1-0 loss to Italy.
      Ivan Toney’s red-hot form for Brentford earned him an England call-upCredit: REX
      But the 25-year-old has yet to feature for the Three Lions in the latest round of international fixturesCredit: GETTY
      England boss Gareth Southgate has cast doubt over Toney’s World Cup dreamCredit: GETTY
      Southgate will once again have to leave five of his 28 players out of the squad for the home game with Germany due to Nations League rules.
      The England boss said: “I understand the push as it is so close to the World Cup but there is life for Ivan Toney beyond the World Cup as well.
      “He is very much in the frame and what he does with his club between now and then is also really important.
      “First and foremost, it has been great for Ivan to be with us and see how we work.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      “Everybody wants to get into the team and on to the pitch.
      “But you have a better chance of doing that if you have been in the group longer and are used to how we play and feel more comfortable with the players.”
      Southgate also revealed he is unsure if Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ shoulder problem could see him miss the World Cup.
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      The 26-year-old has failed to make much of an impact for the Premier League champs following his £45m move from Leeds.
      He said: “The honest answer on the injury is we don’t know.”
      Southgate is set to make changes tomorrow night but Newcastle keeper Nick Pope should keep his place. More

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      England need creativity.. so it makes no sense whatsoever why Gareth Southgate has snubbed Leicester ace James Maddison

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      WHERE is the midfield maverick the Three Lions need in Qatar to unlock some of the world’s best-drilled defences?And why does Gareth Southgate stubbornly refuse to select an in-form James Maddison — statistically the most creative and effective midfielder England has?
      England are on their worst run in the last 30 yearsCredit: REUTERS
      Gareth Southgate’s troops are struggling to create chancesCredit: Reuters
      How Henderson ranks alongside the Prem’s other midfielders
      Gary Lineker took to Twitter after England’s defeat against Italy on Friday night to issue a barbed comment aimed at the England boss.
      The Match of the Day presenter wrote: “A gentle reminder that England’s most creative midfielder, (James Maddison) was not in the squad of 28.”
      Instead, Southgate pinned his hopes on a midfield duo of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
      And looked to get maximum width from the likes of flying full-backs Reece James on the right and England’s Player of the Year, Bukayo Sako, on the left despite the fact he is currently operating as a right winger for his club.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      Ahead of them Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling did their best, as did Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw when they came off the bench.
      But it was all so predictable and it was little wonder England were relegated and are now regarded as a second-tier ‘B’ nation when it comes to the Nations’ League.
      Grealish is the go-to poster boy for England but, as Graeme Souness pointed out, he is too often mugged in possession and wins plenty of fouls without actually winning too many games.
      Southgate’s Lions are more toothless than ruthless these days and Friday’s latest struggle in the San Siro clocked up 450 minutes without a goal from open play.
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      In Qatar, England will face Iran, the USA and Wales.
      There is every chance they will be confronted by two banks of defenders with a rigid midfield four patrolling in front of a blanket back five.
      If Southgate relies on his wingers for supply they are likely to be confronted by a double bank of full-backs protected by wide midfielders, with orders to force the ball into a midfield which will be busier than Oxford Street on Christmas Eve.
      He needs a midfield craftsman to unpick that kind of double-bolted lock.
      But watching England’s recent performances have been like watching a drunk trying to get his key in the door of his next-door neighbour’s house.
      England’s woes are a worry ahead of the World CupCredit: Getty
      It should be remembered that England were dumped out of previous World Cups by the maverick skills of Andrea Pirlo and Luka Modric.
      The ill-fated European Championship final at Wembley turned when Roberto Mancini’s Italy came from behind as England surrendered midfield to the Italians and resorted to long-ball tactics rather than guile.
      They were simply too scared to lose, too scared to put their faith in a midfielder who could get on the ball and create something constructive.
      In the aftermath of the World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia, the nation pointed to Modric and asked: “Why can’t we produce a flair player like him?”
      But Maddison ticks those boxes. The 25-year-old was the highest-scoring English midfielder last season — second only to Kevin De Bruyne as the Prem’s highest-scoring midfielder.
      Gareth Southgate’s tame Three Lions could do with James Maddison’s creativityCredit: GETTY
      Since the start of last season, Harry Kane is the only Englishman who can better his scoring and assist stats.
      And he is in form — which is even more impressive considering he plays for a Leicester side struggling at the foot of the table.
      Maddison has risen above the Foxes’ woes, contributing three goals and one assist in his six Prem appearances this season.
      He also finished last season on fire, rattling in four goals in his final four Premier League games.
      That actually edged him ahead of Jamie Vardy as Leicester’s top scorer last season, with 18 goals in all competitions.
      He also romped the Foxes’ Player of the Year award after producing the kind of consistency England is crying out for.
      Yet he still did not appear on Southgate’s radar when he named his bloated 28-strong squad for the double-header with Italy and Germany.
      Southgate will no doubt point to Mason Mount and James Ward-Prowse as his potential match-winners from midfield.
      But neither has the stats to beat Maddison, who can add his excellence at dead-ball situations to his array of talents.
      Read More on The Sun
      In the last year, Maddison has been directly involved in 30 Leicester goals yet he has again been snubbed — a one-cap wonder.
      The biggest wonder, however, is why Southgate refuses to pick the maverick who could finally rid England of their boring image.
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      Relegated England’s possible Nations League B opponents including Kazakhstan, Montenegro and Albania

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      ENGLAND could face Kazakhstan, Montenegro and Albania in the next edition of the Nations League.The Three Lions were RELEGATED from the top tier on Friday night as they were downed 1-0 at the hands of Italy in Milan.
      England could face Kazakhstan, Montenegro and Albania in Nations League BCredit: Getty
      Iceland – who famously knocked the Three Lions out of Euro 2016 – could also be a potential opponent in next season’s tournamentCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Gareth Southgate’s side are without a win or a goal in open play in five matches.
      And there is only one game – Germany at Wembley on Monday – before this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
      The demotion to Nations League B in 2024/25 will see our nation’s sweethearts face a host of lesser teams.
      As things stand, England are in the same pot as Wales, Czech Republic and Austria.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      And could face a selection of lower-seeded Montenegro, Finland, Albania, Kazakhstan or Georgia.
      Waiting in Pot 2 would also be rivals Iceland – the guilty party in one of the lowest moments in Three Lions history.
      A reunion of the humiliating Euro 2016 defeat in the Nations League could be a potential clash.
      As things stand, Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Ireland, Serbia, Ukraine would be in the mix as well.
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      Southgate’s boys stank out the San Siro and were beaten by Giacomo Raspadori’s curled second-half finish. 
      On the basis of this campaign, nobody should be complacent about England progressing from a World Cup group which features Iran, USA and Wales.
      Harry Kane will lead the team out in the side’s opener against Iran on November 21.
      Captain Kane says that a morale-boosting win in front of a packed home crowd on Monday night against Germany will send the Three Lions off to Qatar with their confidence sky high.
      He said: “We’re not panicking. Of course, I understand the frustration of the fans.
      “I was an England fan and still am an England fan whether I’m playing or not. I understand it.
      “But ultimately we are going to be judged on what happens come November.
      “If we have a successful tournament I’m not sure people will be worried about the spell we had over the summer — and that’s the bottom line.
      “We know results haven’t been what we wanted.
      Read More on The Sun
      “As a group, we know what we’re about and we will fight through this tough period.
      “A full house at Wembley against Germany will be great World Cup preparation.” More

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      ‘Just protecting his nose’ – Cristiano Ronaldo handball gives away penalty minutes after nose left gushing with blood

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      FANS have joked Cristiano Ronaldo gave away a penalty for handball in Portugal’s 4-0 win against Czech Republic to “protect his nose” following his sickening collision.The Manchester United striker was left a bloody mess after being clattered by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik during the Nations League clash on Saturday.
      Cristiano Ronaldo gave away a penalty for handball in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo suffered a sickening collision with goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik to leave him a bloody mess

      Ronaldo went up to challenge for the ball in the 12th minute at the Sinobo Stadium in Prague as Vaclik went to claim it.
      It resulted in Vaclik’s arms smashing into the 37-year-old’s face, which left him sprawled across the floor as medics rushed to his aid.
      He was eventually able to return to the pitch after Portugal’s physios managed to stem the flow of blood.
      With Portugal leading 2-0, Ronaldo then gifted Czech Republic the perfect chance to get back into the match after he conceded a penalty for a handball when he looked as though he was going to head it clear.
      Ronaldo failed to get on the score sheet in the Nations League victory in PragueCredit: Getty
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      But Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick blazed his spot-kick high over the bar in first half added time.
      His miss proved costly as Portugal scored twice in the second period to go top of Group A2.
      Social media was quick to comment on Ronaldo’s handball, as they stated he was simply protecting himself from any further facial injuries.
      One Twitter user said: “Honestly can’t blame Ronaldo for that handball. Man was just protecting his nose.”
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      Another commented: “Ronaldo was just protecting his busted nose.”
      A third added: “They think a man playing after this would head the ball clear instead of protecting his nose as a reflex action.”
      This fan then quipped: “Its not a pen. He’s protecting his Nose.”
      Meanwhile this user messaged: “Understandable handball from Ronaldo, he was protecting his face.”
      Another stated: “I get Ronaldo’s thinking cuz (sic) of the injury but that’s handball.”
      Red Devils forward Ronaldo has struggled for form this season, having scored just once in eight games in all competitions for United. More

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      Glum England boss Gareth Southgate takes training as goal-shy Three Lions face Germany in final World Cup warm-up clash

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      A DOWNCAST Gareth Southgate took England training on Sunday as the Three Lions prepare to take on Germany.England welcome the Germans to Wembley on Monday for their final Nations League match after suffering relegation following defeat to Italy.
      Gareth Southgate looked downbeat as he took England trainingCredit: Reuters
      Harry Kane was all smiles as he stretched with John Stones and Kyle WalkerCredit: Reuters
      Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold looked glum following England’s relegationCredit: Reuters
      Southgate is confident he is the man to turn around the Three Lions’ fortunesCredit: Reuters
      And Southgate will be desperate to get things back on track with the Qatar World Cup looming.
      England are on their worst run of form since 2014 – five games without win – and have not scored a goal from open play in 450 minutes.
      Harry Kane was the last player to score for England, a penalty against Germany in June, and the skipper appeared to be in good spirits in training despite his side’s goal trouble.
      The striker was spotted sharing a joke with Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and John Stones as the trio went through their stretches.
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      Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold looked a little more glum however despite the Arsenal star winning England’s player of the year.
      The winger could be crucial to ending the Three Lions open play goal drought which dates back to November 2021.
      Germany is the last team England face before the World Cup and they will be desperate to avoid a run of six games without a win.
      The last time they managed that was June 1993 – on that occasion they also lost to Germany to stretch the run to seven games.
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      Southgate knows the pressure is on but he is confident he will find the answers.
      He said: “I think I’m the right person to take the team into the tournament.
      “I think it’s more stable that way, without a doubt.”
      But some England fans disagree, with a SunSport poll finding 83 per cent of fans want Southgate out before the World Cup.
      Some fans have also called for Thomas Tuchel to be appointed as his replacement following his sacking by Chelsea earlier this month.
      But it is actually his replacement at Stamford Bridge Graham Potter who is the bookies’ favourite to take over from Southgate.
      Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino and Steve Cooper are also amongst the front runners to succeed Southgate should he be fired.
      But Kane has faith the team will come good and called on the supporters to back England once again ahead of the World Cup.
      He said: “We’re not panicking. Of course, I understand the frustration of the fans.
      “But ultimately we are going to be judged on what happens come November.
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      “If we have a successful tournament I’m not sure people will be worried about the spell we had over the summer — and that’s the bottom line.
      “As a group, we know what we’re about and we will fight through this tough period. More

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      Arsenal handed Kieran Tierney injury boost as Scotland boss Steve Clarke reveals left-back was subbed as precaution

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      ARSENAL have received a boost over Kieran Tierney’s fitness after he went off for Scotland against Ireland with a head injury.The 25-year-old started in the 2-1 Nations League victory on Saturday at Hampden Park, but was substituted just before the break.
      Kieran Tierney suffered a head knock in Scotland’s 2-1 win against IrelandCredit: Willie Vass
      Tierney was taken off just before half-time, but Scotland boss Steve Clarke has stated it was just a precautionCredit: PA
      Ironically, the Gunners left-back collided with Tottenham pair Matt Doherty and Troy Parrott which lead to him being taken off in the 42nd minute.
      Tierney was caught by Doherty’s shoulder early in the match, before Parrott’s boot made contact with his head, which left him receiving treatment.
      And Scotland’s medical team decided to take no chances and deemed him as not fit enough to continue, despite the defender adamant he was OK to play on.
      His withdrawal was the last thing Arsenal fans wanted to hear ahead of next week’s North London derby.
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      But Scotland boss Steve Clarke has delivered positive news over Tierney after stating he was only subbed as a precaution.
      Speaking after the match, the ex-West Brom gaffer said: “Kieran was precautionary in the first half.
      “He got a knock and the doctor decided to take him off.”
      It remains to be seen whether Clarke decides to risk playing Tierney against Ukraine on Tuesday where a point will guarantee top spot for Scotland in Group B1.
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      Arsenal fans will be hoping Tierney is rested with Oleksandr Zinchenko a doubt to face Spurs at the Emirates next Saturday.
      The Gunners received a blow on Friday when Thomas Partey pulled out of Ghana’s match with Brazil minutes before kick-off with a knee problem.
      But it was then announced that he didn’t play as a precaution, with the Ghana FA later confirming that he is returning to Arsenal for further assessment.
      A statement read: “Thomas Partey has been granted permission to travel back to London for further assessment after picking up a suspected knee injury on Friday minutes before the international friendly against Brazil.
      “The 29-year-old was set to start for the Black Stars but just a few minutes before kick-off, was forced to withdraw after picking up a knock.
      “The 29-year old was withdrawn as a precautionary measure and replaced by RCD Mallorca midfielder Baba Idrissu.”
      And Mikel Arteta’s side have been boosted with skipper Martin Odegaard starting for Norway against Slovenia on Saturday after missing the 3-0 win against Brentford with a calf injury. More