Injured Scotland star Kieran Tierney is backing Scotland to sink Ukraine within the World Cup play-off semi-final tomorrow evening - and ship the perfect birthday current for him in Cardiff on Sunday.
The Muirhouse man will miss the large Hampden date as he's nonetheless recovering from knee surgical procedure, however he can be cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines in teh hope they will take an enormous step in direction of qualification for the winter match in Qatar later this 12 months.
Victory over Ukraine would arrange a winner-takes-all conflict in Cardiff on what can be Tierney's twenty fifth birthday.
He is aware of it is going to be a troublesome ask towards a rustic who can be decided to make their war-torn nation proud of their first aggressive match for the reason that Russian invasion in February that noticed the preliminary March fixture postponed.
Chatting with The Scottish Solar, Tierney mentioned: "It’s laborious being compelled to observe video games, I’m not going to lie.
“However whether or not it’s Arsenal or Scotland, I nonetheless solely need what’s 100 per cent greatest for the workforce. I would like them to win each sport.
“We’ve bought a tremendous supervisor and a workforce shopping for into every part he’s doing.
“You may see it on the park with performances, workforce spirit, by no means giving up, being laborious to beat.
“We’re on a terrific run and there’s a confidence throughout the squad. We are able to undoubtedly do it. I’ve bought 100 per cent religion within the boys.
“But it surely’s going to be a really troublesome sport towards Ukraine. They’re a prime workforce with wonderful gamers. Everybody has nice help for them with the horrible battle again house towards Russia.
“However on a soccer degree each units of gamers wish to attain the World Cup.
“I believe to play in that match is the head of any footballer’s profession — and it might be no totally different for me. It will even be huge for Scottish soccer.
“If we have been to win after which play Wales on Sunday, it might be an unbelievable event.
It’s additionally my birthday - and it might be some current if we finally certified. However to start with we have to get a victory at Hampden and nobody is taking something with no consideration.
“Anticipation is huge however we’ll even be enormously helped by having over 50,000 followers supporting us.”
Tierney can be a large miss for Steve Clarke's males as they appear to again up final summer time's Euro 2020 outing with back-to-back main match appaearances.
However the former Celtic defender is aware of the squad continues to be packed filled with prime expertise who can get the job carried out.
He added: "I believe the supervisor, the workers and the gamers should make the World Cup.
“There’s been a lot laborious work put in by everybody. Reaching the Euros gave everybody a style of what it was wish to characterize Scotland at a match - and everybody needs extra.
“I believe John McGinn mentioned lately it’s like a membership tradition once you go away with Scotland. And he’s completely proper.
“You’re with one another each day - and all of the boys love being a part of a global camp.
“I believe we’ve bought gamers of prime pedigree all through the squad. I imply, Andy Robertson performed in a Champions League ultimate on Saturday evening. Then there’s Scott McKenna being promoted to the Premier League with the play-off ultimate at Wembley on Sunday.
“All around the park we’ve bought boys who know what it takes to play in huge video games.
“My former Celtic team-mate Ryan Christie has simply been promoted to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
So Scotland are getting stronger and stronger.”
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