Kieran Tierney: Scotland defender feared knee ligament injury with Arsenal would end Euro 2020 dream | Football news

Kieran Tierney feared his dream for Euro 2020 with Scotland was over after sustaining a knee ligament injury while playing for Arsenal two months before the tournament.

Tierney was initially not due to resume training for four to six weeks after his retirement in the 3-0 Premier League loss to Liverpool on April 3.

But the 23-year-old returned to action on May 6 as Arsenal left the Europa League in the semi-finals against eventual winner Villarreal, before making the club’s last four league games of the season.

Talk to Sky Sports News from Scottish training camp ahead of the tournament in Spain, Tierney said: “When I got injured I feared the worst. I feared my season was over.

“But I worked hard, I worked very hard to come back. I played in a European semi-final four and a half weeks after which is a great recovery time from the injury I had.

“Usually it would take around six weeks. But getting that many matches before I go out for Scotland will hopefully benefit me.”

Tierney, who plays his club’s left-back, impressed as a left-center-back in a three-way defense in Steve Clarke’s 2-2 draw against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Asked about his role, with Scotland captain Andy Robertson playing left-back, he said: “I appreciate him a lot. I think this is the most consistent I’ve been in the squad and that I ‘ve been playing since I started. [against Denmark in 2016]. “

Scotland face Luxembourg in their last warm-up match before Euro on Sunday, live Air sports.

Sunday June 6 4:55 p.m.

Kick-off at 5:00 p.m.

Tierney, who has won 20 caps, added that he is starting to gain confidence with the demands to give impetus to the team’s attacking moves from the center of defense.

“I’m working hard on this,” he said. “Obviously it’s not too natural for me to play center, because I’ve always been tall and wide throughout my career.

“But that’s something I’ve been prepared to do for the team. I kind of know when I come with Scotland that I’ll play out of position, so that’s basically getting used to it. “