SCOTLAND defender Kieran Tierney has revealed “heartbroken doesn’t cut it” after being ruled out of Euro 2024 due to a hamstring injury.
Tierney, carried off on a stretcher in Wednesday’s 1-1 Group A draw with Switzerland in Cologne, has returned home to be assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff.
The 27-year-old left-back said on Instagram: “Heartbroken doesn’t cut it. Love this team and these boys. This too shall pass.”
Scotland assistant manager John Carver, who revealed Ryan Jack is “under the weather” before Sunday’s final group match against Hungary in Stuttgart, said Tierney could return to support the squad if they reach the knockout phase.
Carver added: “Obviously he had an issue with his hamstring the other night and was stretchered off.
“He is heading home to be assessed by Arsenal and that’s all I can really say at the moment.
“They will give updates as they have it but he is obviously extremely disappointed.
“If we do progress and move through the tournament I am sure he will be back to support us.
“It is a blow because he is one of our top players and in tournament football you need your best players on the park. And, in particular with him, he gives that balance down the left-hand side with Andy Robertson and Callum McGregor and they combine really well.”
Meanwhile Carver wants Scotland’s players to contemplate the country’s biggest ever victory when they face Hungary in their Euro 2024 crunch game tomorrow.
Scotland, who have never qualified for the knockout stages of a major tournament, have just one point from their first two Group A matches against Germany and Switzerland.
However, a win against Hungary in Stuttgart would almost certainly see Steve Clarke’s side into the last 16, a feat which would eclipse all the previous Scotland sides.
“Let’s see how the game develops and plays out but if we do it we will be the first team to do it and people will remember the team to do it for the first time.“That’s what they have to think about in the back of their minds.
“These guys have got us to this tournament and we deserve to be there.
“They have put all the work and effort in to get us to where we are – why can’t we go one step further and take it to that next level? Because that’s what we want, we all want that and there is no reason why we can’t after what we saw a couple of days ago.”
Carver, a Geordie, admitted feeling emotional when recalling the rendition of Flower of Scotland before the 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday night.
He said: “When I listened to Flower of Scotland – and I am getting a little emotional here – it was the loudest I have ever heard.
“It brought a lump to my throat. If that can’t inspire these guys after what they did the other (night) then…
“We might get beat because the opposition is better than us but it won’t be for the want of trying.”