ON the face of it, Celtic providing Scotland’s best option at right-back, centre-half and left-back is an impressive feat. The only problem is that it is one man who ticks all of those boxes.
Unfortunately, Kieran Tierney can’t play in three places at once, but after his impressive display on the left side of central defence as he skippered his country for the first time against the Netherlands last Thursday, he may well be the answer to a conundrum that has plagued Scotland managers in recent years.
Charlie Mulgrew, a man who has filled that void manfully in recent times, is in no doubt Tierney could be the man to shore up the heart of the Scotland backline for years to come.
Having made the conversion to centre-half from left-back himself, successfully enough to win the players’ and football writers’ player of the year awards while playing there for Celtic five years ago, Mulgrew is certain that Tierney can make the move just as seamlessly.
“He’s top class,” said Mulgrew. “He showed his quality yet again.
“You see his determination. He threw himself in to it. He is a great player and he leads by example.
“He can be very happy with his performance. Can he stay in that position? I don’t see why not. He’s a top player and a great guy, who is respected by all the boys.
“It doesn’t matter what age he is,” he added. “There are experienced players alongside him, but he’s already got a lot of experience despite being young. It’s great to have him for Scotland.
“I know what it’s like to shift to centre-half from left-back. It’s a totally different picture of the game and a different department. It’s not easy – but he makes it look easy. He’s now played in a lot of different positions but he’s capable of doing that.
“First and foremost, you are a defender, but he is comfortable with the other side of the game as well.
“You can understand why people are talking about him. The good thing is his feet are on the ground. He’s down to earth and doesn’t let anything faze him.”
Tierney partnered Christophe Berra in the first half of Thursday’s match, and then partnered Mulgrew in the second. And with the likes of Leeds centre-back Liam Cooper and Hibs defender Paul Hanlon waiting in reserve, Scotland suddenly seem to have options at the back.
Mulgrew saw plenty from the experimental Scotland team assembled by interim manager Malky Mackay to suggest that there is fresh hope to take into the European Championship qualifiers next September.
“There’s plenty of positives going in to the next campaign,” he said.
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