Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes Kieran Tierney now qualifies as world class, and he credits Arsenal with aiding the left-back’s development.

Kieran Tierney has rightly been making headlines this week, after providing a hat-trick of assists for Scotland – despite starting the game as a centre-back.

There’s no doubt that Tierney’s international teammates appreciate his efforts game after game, and goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists the defender’s consistent performances are pushing him into ‘world class’ territory.

“For us, over the three games, he has been excellent if not the standout in every single one,” Gordon said. “He has been magnificent and hopefully, we can keep him fit and playing at this level.

“I think he is world class, I really do. He is so consistent as well and that is what makes him so good.”

Gordon previously played alongside Tierney at Celtic, so he would have been disappointed to see his former teammate departing for Arsenal. However, the goalkeeper insists the transfer has helped Tierney push on and reach another level as a player.

“He has taken his game on even further,” Gordon added. “He talks so highly of the Arsenal coaching staff and how they have helped develop him.

“He has been more consistent and tactically and technically he has improved, playing against better players week in week out. He has raised his level because of that. I have seen him come through from 17 to where he is now and he will only continue to get better.”

Arsenal fans will certainly hope that’s the case. Tierney is already one of the team’s top performers, but if he can continue to improve as he reaches his prime years it would easily put him among the world’s best left-backs.

After all, it’s worth highlighting that Tierney is still just 23 years old. He’s still likely to have many years at the top ahead of him.