Kieran Tierney is MIA as chance to turn Real Madrid admirer's head goes begging due to familiar tale of woe

It's been an era of Scotland players rising to a level our proud nation once only dreamed of with superstars turning out for elite clubs.

John McGinn currently captains the best Aston Villa team in years, Scott McTominay is the one reliable thing about a Manchester United team you can't predict and Andy Robertson has been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool who have lifted almost every major honour during the German's breathless reign at Anfield. And these linchpins have also helped Scotland reach consecutive European championships.

However, for all the brilliance of those named above, no one quite thrilled like Kieran Tierney during his time at Celtic, his initial Arsenal breakthrough and his form for the national team in his role as the third central defender allowed to wreak havoc how he best sees fit. And the platitudes were non-stop, at one point, with football icons such as Jose Mourinho and Graeme Souness extolling the virtues of a player who marries old school values with a modern edge.

But Tierney – the man many believe has been Steve Clarke's greatest asset when fit – has endured a torrid two seasons. He slipped down the Arsenal pecking order and a loan to Real Sociedad has been blighted with injuries which have left the 26-year-old facing an uncertain future when he returns to the Emirates in the summer.

Tierney, when fit, remains a bonafide star, however, the injury blues have the Celtic hero missing too much game time and there was a cruel irony over his absence against Real Madrid due to a groin complaint, which wasn't lost on some. Sociedad were defeated 1-0 by Carlo Ancelotti's superstars and it's easy to forget one of the best managers in football history has long championed Tierney. Napoli were willing to move mountains to sign him when the left-back was with Celtic. But Arsenal won out despite then Napoli boss Ancelotti publicly stating his admiration for the player.

Speaking in 2018, the legendary boss said: "Am I aware of Kieran Tierney? I know him and he is a really good player. He is a really good young left back but he is a Celtic player. We are looking for a lot of players for this coming season but he is a Celtic player and we have two good left backs. But honestly I can say he is a really good player.”

And the biggest gripe for Tierney will be the fact his level hasn't dropped. Arteta's change in formation put paid to his Gunners starting slot rather than his own ability. And he has an uncanny knack of coming back to his former level – when he's on the pitch. Scotland are itching for a big summer in Germany and it feels no player needs a return to former glory quite like Tierney. The man with two years left on his deal in North London will be itching to rediscover his best form while freeing himself of the complaints and woes which have dogged him.