Steve Clarke approves of Kieran Tierney’s loan move

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has hailed Arsenal star Kieran Tierney’s loan to Real Sociedad as a ‘great move’.

On Sunday, it was confirmed that Tierney had completed a surprising switch from the Premier League to La Liga, joining Sociedad on a season-long loan.

The left-back had long been linked with a move having fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates, though it had been thought he’d stay in the UK with Newcastle and his boyhood club Celtic closely linked.

Arsenal had been hoping to sell the 26-year-old, who started just six league games last season, permanently, and there is no option for the Spanish side to buy him.

The lack of game time has frustrated Tierney, though has not massively affected his place in the Scotland national team, with Clarke hoping that playing in a differently country will only help the defender and his country.

‘A great move. I spoke to Kieran last week, he’s in a good place and he is looking forward to the new challenge,’ Clarke said on Monday as he named his 25-man squad for the September internationals.

‘It’s great experience and great life experience as well as football experience. I think that will only benefit Kieran as a player.

Tierney has 39 caps for Scotland

‘He has been great for us and hopefully that continues into the future.’

Scotland take on Cyprus in a Euro 2024 qualifier on 8th September, before hosting arch-rivals England in a friendly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first ever international football match.

Tierney will be able to play in the Champions League with Sociedad and reveals the role Gunners captain Martin Odegaard played in convincing him to make the move, having played for the La Liga club on loan himself back in 2019/20.

‘My first impressions have been so good, everyone I meet have been so friendly, the city is so nice and the stadium is beautiful,’ Tierney said upon signing.

‘It is a big change but something I am looking forward to so much. It is an exciting challenge and I am delighted to be here.

‘Martin said the fans and people are so good and really welcoming and you will love your time here. The club is in a good place, especially over the last few seasons and this season the Champions League, so it is an amazing club.’