Kieran Tierney has praised Scotland boss Steve Clarke for the faith he paid in him during his time out of the Arsenal team last season.
The Arsenal defender, who recently made his debut for La Liga side Real Sociedad after joining on a season-long loan, had nothing but good things to say about the national team head coach.
The 26-year-old played 67 minutes in the Spanish side's 5-3 win over Granada as he looks to play football more regularly this campaign
He told the Scottish Sun: "One of the first things I did after getting the move was thank Steve Clarke.
"He showed faith in me all through the season and he played me every single game.
"I wasn’t playing for Arsenal and there might have been some people questioning why I would play for Scotland.
"But Steve was brilliant. Some people here did mention the Spain game to me. Maybe that played a part in Real Sociedad wanting me, I don’t know.
"I got an awful lot of confidence from playing for Scotland. It was only later, with the games week by week, that I started to lose some match fitness.
"I’d then report for Scotland duty and was playing a bit of catch up. But Steve and the Scotland staff were just amazing for me.
"Scotland definitely helped me and that’s why I felt it important to thank Steve for his faith.
"Steve said it was a great move, great for me and great for Scotland if I got more minutes.
"I love playing for my country. International football is top level. You want to play there, keep proving to yourself that you can still deliver and help the country, just give something positive to the team."
