Losing Kieran Tierney is a huge blow but I can’t see Clarke changing his plans

KRIS BOYD has wished stricken Scotland star Kieran Tierney a speedy recovery after injury wrecked his Euro 2024 dream.

Tierney was stretchered out of the 1-1 draw with Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday night with hamstring and knee problems.

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Gaffer Steve Clarke has confirmed Tierney – who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad from Arsenal – is out for the rest of the tournament.

And ex-Scotland striker Boyd, speaking on SunSport’s Go Ballistic podcast, hopes the injury is not as bad as it looked.

He said: “It’s pretty sad to see Kieran go off injured again.

“He’s had a career filled with highs but he’s also had some bad lows with injuries.

“I hope he’s okay but it doesn’t look good.

“You saw him grab his hamstring and, when he fell, he hyper-extended the back of his knee.

“I hope it’s not as bad as it looked and he can be back playing football soon.

“It’s a blow for Scotland ahead of Hungary.

“But it’s a bigger blow for Kieran himself because you don’t want to see anyone getting injured.”

Ryan Porteous will complete his two-match ban when Scotland face Hungary in Stuttgart.

Boyd expects Scott McKenna to start with Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry – and can’t see boss Clarke reverting to a back four.

He added: “A lot of people would say we only play 3-5-2 to get Tierney and Andy Robertson into the same team.

“But I can’t see Steve changing to a back four, plain and simply because they’ll have done so much work as a three.

“I don’t expect a change of formation.

“The easiest thing would be to bring in McKenna, who has come on for Tierney in both group games so far.

“He can slot in. He had a big header in the first half and did well on Wednesday night.

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“You know what you’re getting from him. He won’t be fazed by coming in against Hungary on Sunday.”

Boyd was impressed by the display against the Swiss and has high hopes for the Group A finale on Sunday night.

He said: “I thought it was a far better performance.

“There were little periods when we had to defend but we did that.

“It gives us a fighting chance on Sunday and that’s all we could ask for.

“There is an opportunity now to go and make history. That will be the message from Steve Clarke.

“There was a lot of criticism flying about after the Germany game and rightly so. But they responded and Steve would be delighted.

“The only blip was the way they lost the goal but even then they responded well.

“After that, I thought Tony Ralston recovered and finished the game strongly.”

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