Kieran Tierney reveals touching Steve Clarke Scotland gesture as Real Sociedad star admits injury hell left him 'devastated'

The defender has had a tough time with injury in recent seasons and he admits the latest was particularly hard to stomach.

Kieran Tierney says his latest injury at Real Sociedad left him floored after picking up a troublesome hamstring issue.

The left-back was bit by the injury bug again in the early stages of his loan from Arsenal at the San Sebastian club. Tierney joined the Gunners from Celtic in 2019 but fitness issues have marred his time at the Emirates and he fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta last season, with Arsenal pushing for Premier League glory.

Tierney will hope to remain fit throughout the rest of this La Liga campaign after returning to full health with Euro 2024 on the horizon next summer. But he admits this most recent injury was hard to stomach. He told the BBC: "I am buzzing to be back. I was really devastated this time. Injuries are never easy to accept but when you have just joined a club, it's that extra bit difficult to take. For the first day or two, I was finding it hard to accept I would be out for a period of time.

"Once you do accept it, you get over it, and everyone at the club was brilliant to keep me positive. I knew, you get that feeling as a player. I had never pulled a muscle before.

"I knew when I felt something in my hamstring that it wasn't going to be great news. I accepted in my head there and then that this could be a couple months. The first day training with the boys again is brilliant. You want to be part of it and help the team."

The defender also revealed a touching message from Scotland boss Steve Clarke after Euro 2024 qualification was secured. He added: "When I got injury, I was speaking to him for the first few days to try and get my head round it.

"Then once we had qualified, he was thanking me and saying 'I wish you were here and all the boys wish you were here as well.' It's an amazing relationship we have got together and I am really grateful for him."

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