Kieran Tierney gave Scotland supporters a scare during Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final win after limping off late in the second half at Hampden.
With the World Cup now only weeks away, any injury concern involving the left-back immediately raises anxiety for Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army ahead of the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Tierney was eventually replaced by Marcelo Saracchi during Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Dunfermline after appearing uncomfortable physically as the game entered its closing stages.
But Martin O’Neill quickly moved to calm fears afterwards and insisted the defender is “fine”.
In fact, the interim Celtic boss even joked that one of the reasons he wants Saracchi to remain at the club next season is because it pushes Tierney to stay on the pitch.
Speaking after the final, O’Neill said:
“That’s one of the reasons that I would like him to stay for next season, so that Kieran completes a game.
“I love him to bits, I think he’s great for it, but honestly, and Shaun [Maloney] keeps coming to me all the time after 55 minutes.
“But he is fine, he’s done brilliantly since he’s come back.
“I think that a real pre-season with him will suit him down to the ground, but he’s a really fine footballer.” [TCW]
Tierney’s return to Celtic this season has played a major role in the club’s dramatic title-winning run-in and domestic double success under O’Neill.
He’s bagged 18 goal contributions across all competitions this season.
However, managing his fitness carefully has clearly remained a priority after a long spell of injury problems over recent years.
For Scotland fans though, O’Neill’s reassurance will come as a major relief with the World Cup now rapidly approaching.
