Arsenal defender Kieran has opened up about the knee injury that kept him out of the season's latter stages.
Tierney enjoyed a solid campaign with the Gunners, who were comfortably sitting fourth in the Premier League standings before March's international break. However, the Scottish international missed the last ten league outings due to a nasty knee injury, with Mikel Arteta's side eventually finishing fifth as local rivals Tottenham Hotspur piped them to Champions League qualification.
Speaking about his knee injury to SunSport, the former Celtic man said: "We played Wolves at home in February, and I felt something in my knee in the first half. I told the physios, and we tested it. But it was fine, and it also wasn't that sore.
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"I carried on playing for Arsenal, then reported for Scotland duty and played twice with no problems. I came back completely fine. Then I was doing some leg exercises in the gym, and my left knee clicked.
"I instinctively felt it wasn't right and that I should probably go for a scan. I wasn't in any great pain. I'd played for Arsenal, and we'd been winning, then for Scotland, I got a goal and an assist. So there had been nothing to worry about after that Wolves match.
"But the scan result came back, and suddenly I need an op. It was so unfortunate. But after that click, I just knew it wasn't normal.
"The verdict was 12 weeks — and it was gutting when I realised the games I'd miss for Arsenal and Scotland. However, there was nothing I could do about it. Instantly, I just wanted to know from the specialist and the physios what it was going to take to get back quickly.
"Whenever I have been given a timeframe for recovery, I've always aimed to get back earlier. I push myself as hard as I can. It's the only way I know."
The talented fullback also revealed that his target is to be back by the end of June, a date that he is currently on track to make. He added: "It's tough working full days in the gym on your own.
"But you've got to keep on pushing yourself. There's no point feeling sorry for yourself. I don't look for or expect sympathy from anyone. At the end of the day, I'm lucky to be a footballer — and I never take anything for granted. I'm a nightmare for the physios. I'm always on at them to get me back quicker.
"And I'm a terrible spectator. Not being able to do anything to help the team. I hate it. My target is to be back for the end of June and the start of pre-season at Arsenal. I'm on course for that. My rehab's going well."
