KT is out of Scotland’s Euro qualifier in Astana, but it’s Captain Calmac

KIERAN TIERNEY os out of Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Kazakhstan tomorrow. There have been concerns about Tierney, just back from a 10 week lay-off with a hip injury, playing on the rock hard artificial surface in the Astana Arena and it appears that a decision has been taken that the Celtic man cannot be risked on this surface.

However while KT will be disappointed to miss out it is clearly a sensible decision and he’ll be able to cheer on the national side which will tomorrow be captained by his Celtic teammate Callum McGregor.

Tierney has himself already had the honour of skippering his country and he’ll be delighted for Callum who actually struggled to get into a squad under the former manager Gordon Strachan.

The former Celtic boss perhaps felt that he had too many Celts in his squad at the time – pandering to the mad mob and all that – and it probably cost Scotland a place at the World Cup in Russia last summer.

McGregor is a candidate for Player of the Year this season and has already captained Celtic.

The other Celts likely to play tomorrow are Scott Bain, who is set to become Scotland’s first pick keeper, James ‘Five Goals in last two Games’ Forrest and Oli Burke who is back in the international reckoning after his loan move to Celtic from the wilderness at West Brom.

Tierney has been back in the Celtic side in recent weeks but is still working his way back to full fitness and peak form ahead of the business end of the season for Celtic. A set-back in the Astana Arena could have ended his season – so it’s great news that he is OUT of the Scotland side.

Stephen McGowan from the Daily Mail broke the news on social media, saying “Kieran Tierney is OUT of Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Kazakhstan. Callum McGregor will be captain in the Astana Arena.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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