Scotland star Kenny McLean says Kieran Tierney was on 'gas and air' after nasty injury as another 'freak' setback hits squad

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean has revealed injured team-mate Kieran Tierney was on 'gas and air' after a painful slip in last night's 1-1 draw with Switzerland looks to have ended his participation in Euro 2024.

Tierney jarred his leg in the turf and was seen clutching his hamstring as he fell to the ground trying to prevent a Swiss attack in the second half of the game. He was replaced by Scott McKenna for the final 30 minutes in Cologne.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has confirmed that although the full extent of the injury is not yet known, Tierney won't play in Sunday's do-or-die clash with Hungary in Stuttgart, where the Scots must win to have a chance of reaching the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides.

The squad has been plagued by injuries to key players in the build-up to the tournament with the likes of Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Ben Doak and Lyndon Dykes forced out.

And responding to news of Tierney's setback, fellow Lanarkshire man McLean said: "It's devastating, honestly. We know how big a player Kieran is for us. Hopefully on Sunday, we will be more fleet of foot with the ball and that's where he really comes alive, driving out with the ball. He was outstanding in the first half for us tonight. Hopefully, it's not too bad for him.

"Scott [McKenna] can fill that role. That's what the squad's for. We will see what KT's injury is, hopefully, it's not too bad. He's on a bit of gas and air so he's not the easiest to talk to just now but fingers crossed for him because he's a massive part of us.

"He will be desperate for the lads to go out and get it over the line, it's a proper tight-knit squad and he's a big part of it on and off the pitch and he will be a part of it even if he doesn't make it. It's not ideal having to take him off but he's a big player for us and fingers crossed he's ok.

"It's freak stuff some of the injuries to be honest with you, Dykes was in training then you have Hickey, Patterson. It's a bit unforgiving to be honest but there's nothing we can do about it except come together and do as much as we can, even with lads missing out."

Clarke admits he feels for Tierney after he fought back to get fit for the tournament, following a season of setbacks while at Arsenal and on loan at Real Sociedad.

He told BBC Sport: "Yeah, definitely out. It looks pretty bad. Obviously we have to assess it but Kieran won't play the last group game.

"You have to feel for him, he's got himself into great shape, he's a top player for us who does ever so well. But it's a chance for someone else to step in and step up to the mark."

Scott McTominay fired Scotland into the lead after 13 minutes in Stuttgart but a mistake from the third Lanarkshire player involved in the tournament, Anthony Ralston, gifted Xherdan Shaqiri the ball and he curled home a stunning finish to earn a point for the Swiss.

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