Tierney savours 'surreal' Scotland heroics after injury torment

KIERAN Tierney cherished the "surreal" feeling of firing Scotland to the World Cup after "grinding" through difficult periods in his career.

- By GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

The 28-year-old Celtic left-back has struggled with injury during his career, missing games at both of the last two European Championships, while fitness issues also affected his time at Arsenal.

Even now, following his return to his boyhood club, the defender's game time is being carefully managed and he again started on the bench as Scotland faced Denmark in their crunch final Group C game.

Tierney came on in an unfamiliar right-back role but delivered the goods three minutes into stoppage time as he curled home a first-time effort from 25 yards to put Scotland ahead.