Kieran Tierney has been ruled out for the the rest of Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign with a hamstring injury.
The Arsenal left-back had to be stretchered off during the second half of Scotland’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Wednesday after landing awkwardly on his leg.
Steve Clarke admitted after the game he was concerned about the 27-year-old’s availability for the rest of the campaign and assistant John Carver has now confirmed the worst.
Ahead of their crucial final group game against Hungary, Carver said: “He had an issue the other night with his hamstring, and as we speak he’s heading home to be assessed by Arsenal. That’s all I can say at the moment.
“They’ll give you updates when they have it but he’s obviously extremely disappointed. If we do progress, he’ll be back to support us.
“He’s a young lad with plenty of time and he’s got to make sure he’s right for his return.
“It’s a blow because he’s one of our top players and in tournament football you need your best players on the park.
“Whenever any team loses their best players, it affects the situation. It’s also an opportunity for someone else to step in.”
Whether here or at home, you’re always a big part of this Scotland team, @kierantierney1 💙
Kieran leaves camp due to injury and will return to Arsenal for further assessment.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Bfe1Ebk0aB
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 21, 2024
‘I’d have snapped your hand off’
A win for the Tartan Army on Sunday is likely to seal their place in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed sides as they come up against a team without a point so far.
Following a disappointing 5-1 defeat to Germany in their first game, Clarke’s men responded with a spirited draw against Switzerland, with Scott McTominay’s opener cancelled out by Xherdan Shaqiri’s stunner.
And Carver admitted he is pleased their campaign is still alive going into the final game.
He said: “Let’s not forget the effort we put in the other night, physically and emotionally. It was a good night, a good way to pay people back, in particular the Tartan Army.
“It was a good performance against extremely good opposition. We’re talking about an opposition who’ve qualified for the last five major tournaments, we knew we were in a difficult group but we’re sat with an opportunity to get into the last 16.
“We’ve never done it before, because it’s hard. We know what’s ahead of us. If you’d said to us you still have a chance of qualifying going into the last game, I’d have snapped your hand off.”
