Kieran Tierney was a surprise omission from Scotland’s first squad for Euro 2020 when it was announced on Monday afternoon ahead of their game against Czech Republic.

Kieran Tierney with Scotland (Photo via Glasgow Times)
Kieran Tierney with Scotland (Photo via Glasgow Times)

Although Scotland’s assistant John Carver played down concerns regarding Tierney’s fitness after the Arsenal defender failed to train fully with his teammates in their final session, he was not named in the squad for what the Daily Record are calling ‘Scotland’s biggest game in a generation.’

Speaking ahead of the game, Scotland manager, Steve Clarke, said “Kieran had a little discomfort in training. He’s not ready for this game, I hope he’s ready for the next one.”

Writing in the Daily Record over the weekend, Ranger’s legend, Barry Ferguson, prefaced his column by saying that he might be getting carried away, before saying, “I’ve absolutely convinced myself that this is Scotland’s time and Steve Clarke and his players are about to achieve something really quite special over the next few weeks at Euro 2020.”

He went through his reasons for believing that the Scottish players can become legends, adding that Kieran Tierney is “Scotland’s best player by a country mile.

“He was always a very good player at Celtic but is taking his game to another level and the biggest clubs in the world will be trying to sign him very soon. That’s how good he is.”

I’m just going to ignore that last bit, especially as Arsenal are rumoured to be offering him a new and improved deal.

Scotland kick off their Euro 2020 tournament at Hampden Park against the Czech Republic on Monday at 2pm.

Kieran Tierney was expected to start the game, picking up what would have been his 22nd Scotland cap since his debut on 29 March, 2016.

Had injuries not blighted his career so far, that number would no doubt be a lot higher. Despite his injury problems with Arsenal, Scotland started Tierney in both their pre-tournament friendlies, playing him a total of 159 minutes out of a possible 180.

The 24-year-old has yet to score for his country, so what better platform than at the Euros to break that duck. If he can get and stay fit, that is.